AK - Nationally Certified Clinical Assistant - Primary Care - Juneau

Clinical Assistant 2

The Clinical Assistant 2 provides care to infants, toddlers, children, adolescents, adults, and elderly in a rural ambulatory care clinic. This position is essential in maintaining efficient clinic operations and patient flow to maximize the provider's time and to ensure access to care. Clinical Assistants perform administrative duties, data management, and handle basic clinical tasks that are more complex than Clinical Assistant 1, such as performing nebulizer treatments, cast removal, DM foot screenings and other procedures per competency assessments. This information is written in patients' chart along with patients' medical history. This position works closely with providers giving support such as rooming patients, point of care testing as ordered, answering phones, processing provider orders, data entry, and participation in training processes.

SEARHC is a non-profit health consortium which serves the health interests of the residents of Southeast Alaska. We see our employees as our strongest assets. It is our priority to further their development and our organization by aiding in their professional advancement.

Working at SEARHC is more than a job, it's a fulfilling career. We offer generous benefits, including retirement, paid time off, paid parental leave, health insurance, dental, and vision benefits, life insurance and long and short-term disability, and more.

Key Essential Functions and Accountabilities of the Job

• Performs the duties of Clinical Assistant 1 but has additional experience or education to apply more extensive knowledge of medical practice and terminology and judgment.
• Prepares for patient visit by reviewing chart for needed forms, follow-up labs or procedures needed.
• Obtains and records age-appropriate vital signs per department protocol, i.e., temperature, height, weight, head circumference, blood pressure, respiration, pulse oximetry, visual acuity testing.
• Obtains medical history update and confirms medication history.
• Accurately collects and documents information in patient chart. Keeps patient records in order with all forms properly identified; copies and compiles other medical data as needed.
• Ensure patient medication and immunization records are current.
• Recognizes signs or symptoms requiring prompt intervention and acts appropriately.
• Transport patients within the facility, as needed.
• Demonstrate ability to smoothly manage patient care duties while maintaining clinic flow.
• Reports, and when appropriate, records any changes observed in the condition or behavior of patients, unusual incidents, or breeches in safety. Observes patients to ensure children, elderly, or impaired patients who require observation or assistance have someone in attendance.
• Sets up equipment and supplies for routine exams and minor procedures.
• Prepares patients for and assists with procedures, treatments, and minor office surgeries.
• Provides specimen collection, Point of Care Testing (POCT). Follows protocol for collecting, labeling, and transporting of specimens. With appropriate provider's written orders: apply heat/cold packs, abdominal binders, anti-embolism stockings, obtain 12 lead EKGs per competency assessment, peak flow, applies oxygen as ordered.
• Assists patients with ambulation or transfer; perform minor treatments, e.g., simple dressing changes, nebulizer treatments, ear lavage, cast removal, use of an automated defibrillator (AED practices approved airway management techniques, DM foot screening.
• Provides basic patient education material and discharge instructions as directed by the provider.
• Sanitizes exam rooms between patients. Appropriately processes surgical equipment and ensures sterile package integrity. Maintains a safe and clean environment.
• Ensures exam room supplies are organized and stocked. Maintains lab equipment and organizes lab supplies. Inventory, re-order, and stock medical supplies.
• Disposes of solid/liquid waste and infectious materials according to infection control standards.
• Performs basic health coaching and patient education, according to evidence-based guidelines using patient education materials.
• Conducts daily/weekly/monthly QA checks on equipment and maintain logs.
• Demonstrates correct utilization of computer-based health information systems and electronic health record systems. Notify provider or supervisor of any repairs/safety concerns that need attention.
• Answers inquiries of a general nature by nursing staff, provider staff, other departments, visitors, and patients: assisting them in a friendly and cooperative manner; receives and relays messages to personnel and uses proper telephone etiquette. Makes confirmation calls to patients as needed.

Other Functions

• Provides cross-coverage for their peers, helping peers and clinics that need assistance to ensure the efficient and effective flow of patients throughout.
• Attends and participates in at least 50% of staff meetings annually; responsible for applying information presented in staff meetings; participates in unit goal setting; complies with area and departmental scheduling guidelines; initiates discussion with department manager regarding department issues; complies with dress code; refers un-resolved problems with patients/visitors/co-workers to appropriate Manager for resolution; addresses employee concerns consistent with Human Resources policy.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• This position does not require supervisory responsibilities.

Additional Details:

Education, Certifications, and Licenses Required

• High school diploma or GED – required.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification – required
• Clinical Competency completed within 3 months of hire and every 3 years -- required.

Experience Required

• One of the following conditions must be met:
• Completion of the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant program OR
• One year experience as a CA 1 with SEARHC, with successful completion of Competency Assessment OR
• One year experience as a CNA, EMT, or CHA
• One of the following conditions must be met:
• Completion of CCMA Training Program at SEARHC OR
• One year of experience in healthcare OR
• 2 years customer service experience OR
• Certified Nursing Assistant training OR
• EMT: 1 year actively practicing EMT OR
• Alaska Community Health Aide –level 1 completed

Knowledge of

• Clinic procedures for receiving and following through on a patient visit and any related clinic treatments, procedures.
• Age-appropriate patient vital signs and behaviors
• Basic patient triage
• Familiar with medical terminology

Skills in

• Communication and use of customer service skills
• Computer application skills sufficient to utilize medical database in a competent manner
• Good interpersonal and communication skills; strong organizational skills

Ability to

• Train and use various EMR systems and accurately record patient data
• Communicate and interact with all members of the multidisciplinary healthcare team
• Multi-task and care for more than one patient at a time
• Recognize and respond appropriately in emergency situations
• Operate medical equipment including blood pressure cuff, pulse oximeter, EKG machine, etc.