Health Care Assistant

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform patient intakes for patient visits, including: taking vitals, collecting medical history, providing patient education and information, securing informed consent for medical services
• Assist in family planning procedures to provide clinician and/or patient support.
• For health centers that perform abortion services: Assist in abortion procedures to provide physician and/or patient support. Assist nursing staff in the recovery room by providing patient transportation within the health center, taking vital signs, and providing aftercare and providing patient support and information.
• For health centers without dedicated Patient Administration staff: Provide front desk coverage (check-in and check-out), including: collecting accurate demographic information, securing insurance information and payment, ensuring accuracy of charges, handling cash in accordance with PPLM policy.
• Accurately record information in electronic medical records system, internal logs, and databases.
• Clean, stock, organize, and prepare patient rooms in accordance with OSHA requirements and protocols. Stock or store clean and soiled laundry.
• Clean, sterilize, and disinfect instruments in accordance with OSHA requirements and protocols.
• Perform waived and moderately complex lab testing including requisition preparation/submission and managing specimens in accordance with PPFA protocols and in compliance with governmental regulations and standards.
• Perform blood collection for venipuncture and finger stick.
• Package products of conception and prepare specimens in accordance with PPFA, federal, and state regulations for disposal or collection by law enforcement agencies.
• Assist in onboarding training of new HCA staff through direct observation and explanation of basic tasks.
• Supports health center flow by assisting other staff as needed and communicating information to patients and colleagues about waits and delays.
• Create and sustain a healthy work environment. Respond positively to directives or requests from management team, physicians, clinicians, and nurses to ensure high quality and efficient patient care. 
• Adhere to established policies and procedures necessary to meet regulatory requirements with agencies such as DPH, OSHA and PPFA. 
• Follow HIPAA guidelines and maintains professional confidentiality of all patient health information. 
• Adhere to PPLMs policies, procedures, and protocols.  
• Participate in PPLM’s efforts to achieve goals for productivity.
• Other tasks and responsibilities as needed.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES: LEVEL II

• Train new HCA staff through  utilizing the observation tools and coordinating with Organizational Development team about specific training steps for new employees.
• Assist in health center stocking and supplies ordering process.
• Assist in management of flow in the health center.
• Assist in data collection and visualization to drive improvement to team performance.
• Continue HCA I responsibilities as outlined above.

Additional Level II Responsibility: Ultrasound

• Not required of all Level II HCAs; training offered based on staffing need.
• Perform ultrasound for gestational age dating, during procedures, and post-procedures.
• Interpret ultrasound findings and brief providers on preliminary findings.
• Adhere initial privileging and ongoing proctoring procedures required to perform ultrasounds and meet regulatory requirements.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES: LEVEL III

• Demonstrate leadership in implementing change and improvements in the health centers.
• Oversee onboarding and training of new HCA staff and ensure HCAs are trained to PPLM standards. Ensure completion of competency checklist under direction of manager. Document trainees’ progress and communicate with health center management on training progress.
• Provide training to existing staff on new procedures/protocols and support health center management in ongoing observations and competency reviews.
• Manage flow of the health center by prioritizing patient visits, delegating staff to assist each other, and ensures patients are informed of waits and delays.
• Lead daily briefs, debriefs, and huddles.
• Collect data, manage data visualization,  and lead team discussions to improve performance.
• Responsible for monitoring health center inventory and supplies. Ensure supplies and medications are stocked daily, performs weekly inventory counts
• Manage daily staff schedule,  including tasks assignment and break coverage, and appointment templates.
• Continue HCA I and II responsibilities as outlined above.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Works evenings and weekends as needed.
• Must be able to bend and reach to stock inventory and supplies for procedure/exam rooms and respond to patient care needs.
• Must have oral, auditory and visual ability to ensure solid patient communication.
• Must  be able to lift up to 30 lbs and have sufficient stamina to move efficiently throughout the health center for 90% of scheduled shift.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Diploma/GED required
• Medical Assistant or related certification preferred
• 1-3 years of health care experience preferred
• Bi-lingual preferred (Spanish, Portuguese or Mandarin depending on location)
• Strong customer service orientation
• Strong communication skills and an ability to engage with a diverse patient population
• Interest in sexual health and ability to learn and follow protocols, to communicate information efficiently and effectively
• Commitment to PPLM’s mission and values.
• Demonstrated ability to work with people of different races, ethnicities, sexual and gender identities and expressions, ages, abilities and experiences
• Commitment to addressing the impact of racism and other oppressions on sexual health
• Ability to handle detailed work with precision and accuracy.
• Ability to work with a team.