patient care assistant

Status: PRN - As Needed

Shift: PRN- hours and clinic location varies depending on the needs of the clinics

Exempt: No

Summary:

JOB PURPOSE:

The Patient Care Assistant purpose is to provide a positive patient experience in a confidential and compliant manner while performing basic patient care. The contribution of the PCA to the clinic health care team ensures optimal patient flow through the health care delivery system.

Other information:

FACTORS RELATING TO THE JOB

A. Experience, Knowledge and Skill

1. Previous Experience Required:

Previous clinic job-related experience preferred.

2. Specialized or Technical Education Required:

High school diploma or equivalent,

Achieve Basic Life Support certification within six months of employment. Basic Life Support certification must be maintained.

3. Manual or Physical Skill Required:

Must be capable of assisting with the lifting and moving of patients. Must have knowledge of appropriate body mechanics. Must be capable of prolonged standing and walking.

4. Physical Effort Required:

Strength: Medium Push: Occasionally Pull: Occasionally

Carry: Occasionally Lift: Occasionally Sit: Occasionally

Stand: Frequently Walk: Frequently

B. Work Complexities

1. Complexity and Difficulty of Work:

Must be able to satisfactorily perform clinical functions as indicated in this job description. Must be able to work efficiently and cheerfully in a busy environment with a high level of patient contact. Must possess the maturity necessary for establishing and maintaining a good work relationship with patients, family, physicians, and other staff members.

2. Seriousness of Errors.

Errors in performance of patient care procedures could result in serious consequences to patient well-being and safety. Failure to report unusual physical and emotional patient problems immediately could result in serious harm to patient well-being.

C. Working Conditions

1. Hazards:

Contact with blood and body fluids. Must have a thorough knowledge of infection control procedures and Universal Precaution techniques.

2. Adverse Working Conditions:

Must be able to maintain cheerful, positive attitude while performing duties in a high volume practice.

D. Contacts

1. Contacts with Customers, the General Public or Other Companies:

Extensive contact with patients, patient family members, physicians employer groups and the community.

2. Contacts with Other Departments:

Significant contact with other departments.

E. Responsibilities:

1. Responsibility for the safety of others:

Responsible for following all policies and procedures to assist in maintaining a safe environment.

2. Responsibility for Company Funds or Property:

Maintain all equipment in the office in a conscientious manner thereby ensuring that all equipment is in proper working order.

3. Responsibility for Confidential Information:

Safeguard and preserve confidentiality of medical records and patient information at all times. All conversations regarding patients or patient's information are to be conducted with discretion and with confidentiality in mind. Follow HIPAA privacy standards.

4. Responsibility for Performance of Work without immediate supervisor:

Must be motivated self-starter able to perform well with minimal direct supervision. Must be able to function productively as part of the overall clinic health care team. A supervisor / coordinator / director will be available to give advice or instructions as needed. Work is subject to review at any time.

5. Responsibility for the Supervision of Others:

None

Responsibilities:

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

1. Enthusiastically greets patients presenting to the office, while maintaining a courteous and professional demeanor.

2. Performs functions such as intake, discharge, and telephone messaging, ,

3. Properly address patients in the waiting room and escort them to the screening area/exam room ensuring to verify their identity against the patient's record prior to documenting.

4. Properly identifies patient during each transition of care by stating "for your safety, will you state your name and date of birth". Upon validation of the information against the patient record the transition can proceed.

5. Obtain and record patient's weight, height and vital signs and document them into the patient's record.

6. Educates and assist patient with MyChart sign up.

7. Ensures patient/caregiver is comfortable in the exam room prior to exiting.

8. Reviews and initials each page of the AVS and other discharge paperwork to ensure information is being released to the correct patient.

9. Reviews and discusses the After Visit Summary (AVS) with the patient and/or caregiver. Emphasis will be made regarding any medication changes or future orders.

10. Cleans and disinfects the patient treatment area as well as any reusable equipment per NOPG policy and procedure after each patient encounter.

11. Assist with ordering, stocking and maintaining supplies within the clinic utilizing authorized vendors through material services.

12. Assists trained employee with secondary tasks (e.g. gathering equipment, patient positioning, etc.) for casting, splinting, and DME.

13. Performs quality controls as indicated within the clinic.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Performs as a team member and serves on teams/committees as requested.

2. Assist trained employee with vaccine management including ordering and monitoring vaccine usage/wastage, facilitating the maintenance of the vaccines, participating in educational opportunities, utilizing the CDC guidelines as well as standard protocol for immunization management as indicated by Louisiana Immunization Network, and completing reportable documentation as recommended by Louisiana Department of State Health Services.

3. Assist physicians and other staff members, as needed.

4. Issue physician's excuse for school/work as directed by the provider.

5. Communicate effectively by expressing ideas clearly, actively listening and always following appropriate channel of communication. Demonstrate responsiveness to others ensuring a complete follow up on matters requiring additional attention.

6. Follow any other job related instructions and perform any other job related duties as requested by department management.

7. Consistently attend monthly staff meetings.

8. Follow associated North Oaks Health System and North Oaks Physician Group compliance programs and federal and state regulatory guidelines.

9. Performs other duties within the scope of unlicensed personnel as assigned.