PATIENT CARE ASSISTANT- BH

Patient Care Assistant- BH

The Patient Care Assistant supports the department by providing direct patient care (i.e. clinical and administrative duties). Patient Care Assistant will be cross-trained and expected to perform duties outlined in Track 1 and Track 2.

Track 1 - Responsible for completing a variety of medical/administrative related tasks in support of the medical/psychiatric provider.

Track 2 - Works with the Behavioral Health, Medical Care & Dental Care Department Interdisciplinary Team to support the medical/psychiatric provider in the provision of clinical and administrative assistance to patients.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

• Maintain effective communication with patients in reference to wait time, patient needs, expectations and patient feedback.
• Escort patients to the different areas within the medical office (check-in/out, lab, exam room).
• Complete all tasks sent via EHR by the requested timeframe.
• Ensure compliance with health center's policies and procedures as it relates to medical examination of every patient seen.
• Administrative Duties - Track 1: Ensure proper and timely check-in of patients and prepare patients for medical examinations. Assists with the coordination of patient flow. Ensures proper patient identification using a minimum of two (2) patient identifiers as per national patient safety goal requirements. Schedule follow-up appointments for patients. Timely and accurate documentation. Receive/send documents via fax per provider request. Make phone calls and document in EHR per provider request. Record pertinent information on forms.
• Administrative Duties - Track 2: Ensure proper and smooth operational flow as it relates to patient visits (i.e. prioritizes patient flow based on medical needs). Ensure proper patient identification using a minimum of two (2) patient identifiers as per national patient safety goal requirements. Review and document patient vital signs in the HER. Update and record patient information in the EHR: Allergies, reconcile medication list, review immunizations, history forms and other information as required. Prepare and review next day patient schedules & care requirements to maintain patient flow. Assist with the completion of forms as needed: Women Infant Children (WIC), Pre-operative Surgical, Work Excusal/Return to Work and Proof of Pregnancy Ensure proper Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)- Depression screening for risk of suicide for every new and follow up patient.
• Clinical Duties - Track 1: Collect and accurately documents patient vital signs in the EHR. Report abnormal findings to the Registered Nurse and/or Medical/psychiatric Provider. Prepare venipuncture forms. Prepare Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN) forms as required and inform patients of any costs associated with lab draws. Prepare and complete lab orders/requisitions. Ensure proper collection, labeling and processing of all specimens using a minimum of two (2) patient identifiers prior to drawing blood. Assist Medical Providers with medical procedures/testing by performing: Electrocardiogram (EKG's), vision and hearing test, diabetic, foot/monofilament test, fall risk assessment (65 & over), waived testing, results documentation & log Maintenance (blood glucose, A1C, strep, urine dipstick, urinalysis, pregnancy, Immunochemical Fecal Occult Blood Test (iFOBT), influenza A&B). Review visit summary with patient upon discharge by provider. Ensure proper processing and specimens are securely enclosed for transport to lab.
• Clinical Duties - Track 2: Prepare rooms for clinical examination and patient procedures as directed. Ensure materials/supplies/equipment are fully stocked and available. Assist Medical Providers with procedures/testing and ensures proper documentation in medical record: Pap smear, colposcopy, biopsy, vaginal cultures, pelvic/breast exam, male exam, incision and drainage, throat cultures, nebulizer treatments and other procedures as indicated by the provider. Obtain and review medical records of all diagnostic/lab reports. Collect, transport, disinfect and prepare instruments for sterilization process in accordance with policy and procedure. Perform high-level disinfection (HLD) and sterilization of instruments, as assigned and as per manufacturer's guidelines. Ensure the following are entered in patient EHR: Chief complaint, history of present illness, problem list, health reminders, patient history, social history, family history, medical/surgical history, and assesses for recent hospitalizations. Perform PHQ-9 Depression screenings. Place orders for the following: Laboratory testing, standing orders, referrals and update status of any open referrals, new medication and/or medication refills, vaccines and/or injections. Ensure proper ICD-10 coding/charges per diagnosis as per medical provider instructions. Complete pre-visit planning for assigned scheduled patients, 2 days prior to visit. Enter Uniform Data System (UDS) & Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) measures. Enter self-management goals and plan of care Provide accurate and timely documentation within the same day of intervention and enter other information as requested by providers.
• Quality Assurance/Compliance: Ensure examination rooms are in compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Joint Commission (JC) standards. Ensure proper documentation/logging and disposal of medication into the hazardous/black box. Receive training and undergo competency assessments based on evidence-based guidelines and manufacturer instructions for use.
• Safety/Cleanliness: Ensure cleanliness of clinic area and examination rooms Report any cleaning or safety observations to the Registered Nurse and/or Office Manager. Maintain agency guidelines relating to safety, outreach and confidentiality. Ensure proper hand washing according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. Maintain and follow infection control standards and Universal Precautions as per policy and procedure. Provide feedback observations on risk management/safety assessments in work area to Registered Nurse and/or Office Manager. Understand and appropriately act upon assigned role in Emergency Code System. Understand and perform assigned role in Agency Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP).
• Culture of Service: 3 C's Compassion • Greet internal or external customers (i.e. patient, client, staff, vendor) with courtesy, making eye contact, responding with a proper tone and nonverbal language. • Listen to the internal or external customer (i.e. patient, client, staff, vendor) attentively, reassuring and understanding of the request and providing appropriate options or resolutions. Competency • Provide services required by following established protocols and when needed, procure additional help to answer questions to ensure appropriate services are delivered. Commitment • Take initiative and anticipate internal or external customer needs by engaging them in the process and following up as needed. • Prioritize internal or external customer (i.e. patient, client, staff, vendor) requests to ensure a prompt and effective response is provided. Contact Responsibility Responsible for internal and external contacts (i.e. working with people in a respectful, sensitive and professional manner) is frequent and important.
• Physical Requirements: This work requires the following physical and sensory activities: constant talking in person, talking on the phone, hearing/visual acuity and exposure to blood borne pathogens and hazardous materials. Frequent, walking, standing, sitting and bending. Work is performed in office and laboratory setting.
• Other: Participate in health center developmental activities as requested. Other duties as assigned.

Travel Requirements and Details: Travel between Care Resource locations as needed.

Work Experience: Experience working with behavioral health patients and working knowledge of mental health and substance use disorders, harm reduction, and psychotropic medications.

Skills: Bilingual (English-Spanish or English-Haitian Creole) is preferred. Excellent communication skills - oral and written. Computer knowledge (i.e. Microsoft, Electronic Health Records). Organizational, multitasking and teamwork skills are required.

Education: High school diploma required. Licenses: Medical Assistant certificate required. Active CPR/BLS (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation /Basic Life Savings for Health Care Workers) certificate. Two (2) years of related work experience are required. Biomedical Waste, OSHA and phlebotomy certifications are required. Knowledge of the use of opioid overdose reversal (use of naltrexone).