Health Care Assistant

Job Description

Job Description

Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington, DC has been providing high-quality, affordable healthcare to individuals in the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. area for 80 years. Our experienced and supportive medical staff gives each patient medically accurate and high-quality care.

JOB SUMMARY

Provide the foundation on which Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington DC, Inc. (PPMW) builds efficient, professional health centers. As the initial point of contact with clients and the public, the HCA must represent the PPMW commitment to quality healthcare and excellent customer service. Responsible for the performance of front desk, telephone and health care center duties and adherence to PPMW’s policies, procedures and medical standards and guidelines, using a customer centered approach to health care delivery.

• Display initiative in maintaining an attractive and impeccably clean clinic environment, including public restrooms, waiting areas, lab, exam rooms, and reception area.
• Ensure the good working condition of office and lab equipment—identifying and reporting malfunctions promptly.
• Participate in PPMW’s inventory program to ensure adequate and accurate inventory.
• Participate in all clinic efforts to achieve benchmarks set for excellence of care and productivity.
• Demonstrate consistent excellent customer service.
• Greet clients and visitors in a positive, warm, caring, friendly manner.
• Safeguard the privacy and protected health information of clients in compliance with law and PPMW policies.
• Ensure that Request for Medical Services and Acknowledgement of Receipt of HIPAA Privacy Information has been signed by the client prior to the provision of care.
• Participate in PPMW’s Risk and Quality Management (RQM) and Referral Follow-Up programs. 

• Manage flow of clients and visitors in the reception area.
• Process over the counter sales of medications.
• Process incoming and outgoing faxes.
• Record incoming payments according to PPMW policy and procedure guidelines.
• Maintain adequate inventory of supplies, forms and other items as necessary.
• Collect and input client registration information.
• Provide patients with forms and fact sheets essential to the level of services requested.
• Complete day-end procedures such as preparing deposit and balancing cash drawer according to PPMW policy.
• Maintain strict cash control.
• Assess client finances, which may include verifying insurance, health plan authorization, determining grant eligibility, or determining sliding-fee scale status.
• Ensure that patient visits are initiated, entered and closed in a timely manner.
• Collect fees per PPMW guidelines, and complete appropriate documentation.
• Provide general information and patient education.
• Document phone conversations in patient records as indicated.
• Facilitate appointment scheduling.
• Triage and refer calls appropriately.
• Assign electronic tasks for RN/clinician calls
• Disburse contraceptive supplies with correct authorization and documentation.
• Ensure adequate inventory of supplies at dispensing station.
• Ensure that prescription labels are present and product inserts are given as indicated.
• Respond efficiently to requests to telephone/mail/electronic requests for refills. 

• Collect vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, temperature, height, weight) as indicated for client visits.
• Interview client to attain appropriate information about health history, primary purpose of visit, and needs assessment. 
• Work in conjunction with the clinician, RN, or physician. 
• Complete chart and billing documentation accurately to include all labs performed, supplies given and patient care 
• Ensure and document that appropriate education/fact sheets are provided for any education provided by the HCA. 
• Ensure that informed consent including review of risk, benefits, and alternatives is obtained and all appropriate forms are completed and signed prior to the provision of any special services/procedures.  
• Set up, maintain, and clean exam rooms for all procedures (leep, colpo, larc, etc) 
• Maintain adequate inventory of all supplies; promptly alert Center Manager of any supply requests. 
• Audit exam rooms to ensure supplies are stored correctly and used or discarded prior to expiration. 
• Perform venipuncture and finger stick blood collection. 
• Perform basic on-site lab tests such as pregnancy testing, urinalysis, hemoglobin, and Rh typing. 
• Perform rapid-result HIV testing and short-term counseling in compliance with local regulations and CDC procedures. 
• Collect and appropriately prepare and package specimens for transport to off-site laboratories. 
• Collect vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, temperature, height, weight) as indicated for client visits.
• Maintain lab according to OSHA and CLIA standards and guidelines. 
• Perform routine autoclave maintenance including draining, cleaning, and spore testing. 
• Ensure accuracy of lab logs, including findings and follow-up per protocol. 
• Perform and record all laboratory controls. 
• Participate in laboratory proficiency testing program and annual lab skills competency evaluation 
• Disburse contraceptive supplies with correct authorization and documentation. 
• Ensure adequate inventory of supplies at dispensing station. 
• Ensure that prescription labels are present and product inserts are given as indicated. 
• Respond efficiently to requests to telephone/mail/electronic requests for refills. 
• Provide appropriate referrals and information (prenatal care, adoption) to clients who do not desire abortion. 
• Discuss client’s social support and offer additional supports (talk lines, websites, community resources) as indicated 
• Conduct intimate partner violence (IPV) and reproductive coercion screenings; address positive screenings or refer to RN/clinician/physician.  
• Advise client of all abortion methods appropriate for gestational age. 
• Educate client about desired abortion method, including review of risks and benefits. 
• Ensure that informed consent is obtained and all appropriate forms are completed and signed. 
• Give and document the appropriate fact sheets for any education provided by the HCA. 
• Offer information about contraception and safer sex to all clients.

• Prepares rooms before and cleans rooms after procedures, ensuring all materials needed by the clinician are present and ready for use.
• Assists the client and clinician as needed during the procedure.
• Supports the client in their immediate post-procedure recovery, including transfer to a monitored recovery area when indicated.
• Recognizes typical/atypical intra- and post-procedure client status and requests assistance appropriately.
• Assess client’s pregnancy decision.
• Provide appropriate referrals and information (prenatal care, adoption) to clients who do not desire abortion.
• Discuss client’s social support and offer additional supports (talk lines, websites, community resources) as indicated
• Conduct intimate partner violence (IPV) and reproductive coercion screenings; address positive screenings or refer to RN/clinician/physician.
• Advise client of all abortion methods appropriate for gestational age.
• Educate client about desired abortion method, including review of risks and benefits.
• Ensure that informed consent is obtained and all appropriate forms are completed and signed.
• Give and document the appropriate fact sheets for any education provided by the HCA.
• Offer information about contraception and safer sex to all clients.
• Perform and record all laboratory controls
• Perform basic on-site lab tests such as pregnancy testing, hemoglobin, and Rh typing.
• Perform venipuncture and finger stick blood collection.
• Collect vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, temperature, height, weight) as indicated for client visits.
• Interview client to attain appropriate information about health history, primary purpose of visit, and needs assessment. 

• High school diploma, GED or equivalent certification required.
• Certification as medical assistant preferred.
• Minimum 2 years of customer service or related experience preferred.
• Family planning experience preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to perform work accurately and with attention to detail.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions.  Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.

Language Skills

Requires excellent verbal and written communication skills, listening and interpersonal relationship communication skills.  Must be able to communicate clearly and interact comfortably with a diverse group of clients, staff and volunteers in a non-judgmental, professional and sensitive manner.  Examples of skills required include ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals; and ability to write routine reports and correspondence.  Bilingual English/Spanish preferred; may be required for some positions.

Mathematical Skills

Must possess the ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals. 

Computer Skills

Excellent keyboarding skills with high level of accuracy required.  Must possess capacity to learn software programs required for specific position and access electronic communications, including e-mail, extranet and intranet. 

  Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  All of the job functions listed within this job description involve to greater and lesser degrees the following physical demands:  close vision; hearing/listening; clear speech; walking; lifting and carrying up to 25 pounds overhead and 40 pounds from the floor; stooping; kneeling; bending; sitting; standing up to 6 hours at a time; and use of hands to finger, handle, and feel.  Must be able to assist a semi-conscious or unconscious youth/adult from a wheelchair to a bed and physically assist a patient in distress.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  The employee must possess a demonstrated ability to work in a diverse environment and build productive relationships.  A demonstrated ability to effectively work independently and collaboratively as part of a team is essential.

·        This position performs tasks that involve exposure to blood, fluids, or tissues as well as cleaning solvents and other chemicals.

·        The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

·        This position requires the ability to work in high stress, fast paced environment with potential emergency situations.

·        Protestors may be present at work and related sites.

·        This position requires the ability to work an irregular schedule which could include some weekends, early mornings and evenings.

·        The position may require travel to other PPMW sites for the performance of agency duties.

While this description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current position, it is not necessarily exhaustive of all responsibilities, duties, efforts, requirements or expectations of this position.  Management reserves the right to revise or amend this description to include or remove tasks as circumstances change and the needs of PPMW so dictate.

DIVERSE CANDIDATES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington, DC is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to maintaining a non-discriminatory work environment, and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.  Planned Parenthood is committed to creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion, respect and integrity, customer focus, and innovation.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.