Healthcare Assistant

SUMMARY

Planned Parenthood Arizona ("PPAZ") services include an emphasis on family planning and reproductive health care, including the provision of birth control and comprehensive contraceptive counseling, testing and treatment of sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy testing, counseling and referral, HIV testing, annual exams, abortion care and more. In addition, PPAZ focuses on providing medically accurate sexuality education and training services throughout the state. 

The Health Care Assistant is responsible for the performance of front and back office duties in Planned Parenthood Health Centers. Health Care Assistants are not guaranteed work at any particular Health Center. PPAZ reserves the right to move Health Care Assistants to any Health Center, as needed, for business purposes. PPAZ, from time to time, adjusts its Health Center schedules and, therefore, Health Care Assistants may be required to change their weekly work schedule and total hours worked.  

Participates in health center efforts to achieve established goals for productivity and adheres to affiliate goals and policies on professionalism, wait time in-clinic and on the phone, and the system for addressing client complaints. Participates in health center/affiliate efforts to achieve established revenue cycle goals. 

GENERAL PRIORITIES

Front Office 

•    Front desk reception - greets clients in a professional, friendly manner. Instructs clients how to complete appropriate paperwork. Enters accurate and complete patient information into electronic medical records. Prepares outgoing mail and distribute incoming mail. 

•    Provides general information and patient education including discussing pregnancy options with patients (this includes parenting, adoption, & abortion); provides patients with information on all contraceptive methods including Emergency Contraception. Provides abortion and medical abortion education. 

•    Schedules appointments. Responsible for knowing and understanding all medical services and programs provided by PPAZ, as well as fees.  

•    Maintains medical records - prepares patient charts with proper forms. Files lab results in patient charts. Files patient charts. Transfers patient records between clinics and keeps transfer log updated. Purges inactive patient records. Records pertinent conversations with patients in the medical chart. Pulls charts for next day readiness. 

•    Pharmaceutical supply visits - fulfills contraceptive supply orders with correct authorization and documentation. Ensures that supplies are stocked. Ensures prescription labels are present and product inserts are given. 

•    Billing and cash handling – has a basic understanding of how to operate PPAZ's Practice Management System in relation to cash handling and end of day closing procedures including running memorized system reports, insurance entry, charge entry (billing) and payment entry under the supervision of the Center Manager.  

DIRECT RESPONSIBILITIES

Back Office 

•    Inventory and maintenance - ensures ample inventory and keep supplies in exam rooms and keeps lab well stocked. Sets up rooms at beginning of clinic and in between patient visits.  Cleans rooms between patients and at end of clinic. 

•    Instrument sterilization - maintains the sterilization of all instrument and instrument packs on an ongoing basis. 

•    Patient education - evaluates patient needs for education on an individual basis and provides same as necessary and appropriate. Properly documents all education. 

•    Laboratory testing - measures weight, height, and takes blood pressure.  Performs lab tests and veni-puncture within scope of practice approval. Documents lab results in patient chart and in lab book. Refers abnormal values to clinician for follow up. Keeps lab area clean according to OSHA standards and guidelines. Provides quality control with respect to OSHA and CLIA standards and guidelines. 

•    Clinician support - instructs patients on procedures. Reassures patients during exams and procedures, as appropriate. Discusses exam results as instructed by clinician. Teaches contraceptive method or method review based on patient need and per PPAZ protocols. Educates patients regarding abnormal exam findings and treatment. Makes patient referrals as appropriate. Documents all actions appropriately.   

•    Participates in CQI/Risk management activities and processes including but not limited to: follow up care, documentation, occurrence reporting, and all other agency CQI/Risk management activities. 

Critical to this role, employee must exercise discretion in acquiring and disseminating confidential and proprietary information including any patient PHI acquired physically and or electronically. 

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

•    Other Duties as assigned

EDI REQUIREMENTS

•    Displays awareness/understanding of race equity issues in the workplace (and in healthcare).  

•    Actions demonstrate the ability to build and sustain a culture of trust, quality, and patient and staff satisfaction.  

•    Commitment to advancing race(+) equity in one's work: interested in expanding knowledge about the role that racial inequity plays in our society.

•    Demonstrates the ability to effectively communicate across differences, as well as hear and act on feedback related to identity and equity with an openness to learn.  

•    Committed to Planned Parenthood's In This Together service ethos, workplace values, and service standards  

GENERAL ATTRIBUTES

•    Outstanding moral character and commitment to neutrality, confidentiality, and professionalism

•    Ability to build trust and relationships with broad and diverse audiences 

•    Exceptional organization skills and attention to detail

•    Excellent written and verbal communication skills with emphasis on tact and diplomacy

•    Ability to identify and solve complex problems using good judgment and discernment 

•    Ability to work independently in a fast-paced growth environment, manage multiple priorities and translate business strategies into actionable plans 

•    Proven project management skills and track record of delivering results on time  

•    Demonstrated analytical skills and the ability to interpret data, identify trends and recommend solutions

•    Demonstrated computer skills with proficiency in HRIS, MS Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

•    Willingness to travel to all health centers in service area and work flexible hours as needed.

HIPAA STATEMENT

All Planned Parenthood Arizona, Inc. employees shall not make any use or disclosure of protected health information that would violate the HIPAA Privacy Rule in order to ensure individuals' health information is properly protected while allowing the flow of health information needed to provide and promote high quality health care.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts or working conditions associated with this job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed when circumstances change.

QUALIFICATIONS  

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

High School diploma or GED Required

One year of work experience in a health care facility or clinic 

Two years of customer service experience preferred 

Certified Medical Assistant preferred

Experience with Windows based computer systems helpful. 

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, financial reports, legal documents, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports and business correspondence. Capacity to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers, employees, and vendors.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs. Ability to read, manipulate and develop fiscal data on tables.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists and time is a factor. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Valid driver's license

Insurable driving record