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.
• Assist with the coordination of patient flow.
• Ensure 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.
• 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