Patient Care Assistant

Patient Care Assistant

The Patient Care Assistant engages in client-centered services such as care plan coordination, treatment adherence, medical history taking, medication reconciliations, patient care, taking vital signs, collecting and packaging specimens, greeting, and rooming clients for practitioner appointments, supportive linkage to care, referrals, follow up, and adherence to policies and procedures as required by Northland Cares, along with other local, state, and federal entities. The Patient Care Assistant must also adhere to quality management adherence, and coordination with outside organizations, such as vaccination clinics for clients. The Patient Care Assistant interacts with staff members of an interdisciplinary team in a clinic setting.

As with all positions at Northland Cares, the Patient Care Assistant supports the mission, vision and values of Northland Cares by demonstrating personal responsibility, respect for self and others, innovation through teamwork, dedication to caring, and excellence in customer service to staff, clients, and community members.

Work Schedule & Exceptions

• This is a full-time position expected to work approximately 32 hours per week. Work is generally performed Monday through Thursday in-office, 9-5.
• Regular attendance is essential to this position; employees are expected to be available and ready to perform their duties during all scheduled working hours.

Minimum Qualifications

• Completion of an AA/AS degree in health or social sciences AND/OR one year or more of applicable work experience in a medical setting.
• Effective verbal (phone, in-person) and written communication skills.
• Effective planning, attention to detail, and organizational skills.
• Proven computer/technical literacy including general Microsoft Office and electronic health record (EHR) systems.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and HIPAA compliance.
• Current healthcare level CPR certification within 6 months of hire.
• Commitment to serving patients living with HIV/AIDS.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with HIV/AIDS services and Ryan White/HOPWA programs.
• Experience in Health, Social Work, or related field.
• Experience with Microsoft Excel.
• Bilingual English/Spanish.
• Medical Assistant training or certification.

Supervisory Reporting Structure

The Patient Care Assistant reports to the Clinic Manager, but also takes directions from the Office Manager, Program Manager, Behavioral Health Professional, and other clinical providers for patient care and quality management.

Scope Of Work

• Travel to work at other Northland Cares locations upon request as benefits Northland Cares.
• Serves as primary point of contact providing a professional and welcoming environment for all clients and visitors, whether in person or on the telephone.
• Assists with maintaining appointment schedules for medical and behavioral health.
• Direct patient care, rooming all patients, obtaining and recording vital signs (weight, height, temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood pressure) for all medical appointments.
• Facilitates clinical follow-up and referrals as directed by providers.
• Counsels and performs rapid HIV testing in compliance with manufacturer's instructions as needed.
• Monitors patient status through regular communication with medical staff, laboratories, and case managers to ensure all team members remain current on needed services.
• Interacts with patients, families and prospective clients to provide basic information about services offered by Northland Cares. Referring client to the medical case management staff.
• Strictly adheres to HIPAA principals to maintain total security and confidentiality of client information and physical documents.
• Prepares and provides patient medical documentation and maintains the security of all client information and physical documents; performs accurate complete and timely recording of patient data within all required programs and case management databases strictly adhering to federal, state and clinic policies and procedures.
• Coordinates vaccination clinics, entries into ASIIS, and communication with related vaccination personnel.
• Monitors medical and office supply inventory, using first in-last out, notifying clinic manager when orders are needed.
• Participates in meetings, focused on quality improvement and team building and engages in cross training as directed by supervisor, to ensure excellent and efficient documentation.
• Contributes to team effort through task accomplishment, facilitation of communication with all clinic employees, and proactively advising supervisors of activities and needs.
• Responsible for cleaning and disinfecting exam rooms, patient waiting area and front office area.
• Assists with Food/Gas card Tracking and maintaining spreadsheets.
• Attends and participates in staff meetings as directed.
• Cross training with other staff as determined by supervisor.
• Other duties as assigned or apparent.

Physical Requirements

• Sitting, standing, and walking throughout the day for short to moderate periods.
• Driving distances of up to 2 hours for clinics, meetings, and training is required.
• Travel to state and national conferences and training is required.
• Regular use of office equipment such as computers, phones, printers, and copiers.
• Occasional lifting of 1050 pounds.