Patient Care Tech Assistant or Associate - Full-time / Part-time

Job Summary This position is responsible for providing timely and accurate information and service to patients and referral contacts, and for assisting customers/patients in a retail setting with technical product and service needs relating to Home Care Services offerings. This position serves as a liaison between UMHS patients, their families and/or caregivers, referral contacts, insurance companies and HCS programs (MedEQUIP, HomeMed, and/or Wheelchair Seating Services, Michigan Visiting Nurses and Michigan Visiting Care).

Responsibilities* Provides timely and customer friendly service to pediatric, adult and geriatric home care patients when they arrive at Home Care Services/MedEQUIP facility to obtain Durable Medical Equipment (DME) or if an order is received via fax or phone. This includes assisting patients in choosing ambulatory aids to meet the physician order, determining insurance coverage, obtaining insurance authorization, creating and processing the paper work, informing patients of out of pocket expenses, set-up, perform accurate and complete patient technical instruction on home equipment set-up, cleaning and use, and provide prompt communications to home care staff.

Assists patients with any HCS related question and/or issue

Assists patients in securing medical supplies and equipment for use in the home by describing a product's technical features and benefits, and demonstrating technical use or operation of merchandise.

Assists patients in choosing appropriate ambulatory aids to meet physician orders under the direction of MedEQUIP physical therapist.

Creates accurate orders which reflect knowledge of payer criteria, availability of and proper use of products, dispatch/delivery capabilities, accurate use of all electronic tools and programs available.

Obtains appropriate demographic and insurance information from patients, caregivers, and all referral sources, including obtaining prior authorization for services/equipment from insurance company.

Conducts accurate measurement of patients in order to provide and adjust appropriate ambulatory aids.

Performs and documents initial assessment and all other appropriate documentation for new patients.

Follows departmental procedures for accurate and complete entries on medical-legal documents and departmental data base

Answers questions regarding the service center and its merchandise.

Accepts/confirms deliveries from HomeMed and MedEQUIP.

Completes daily ordering of equipment and supplies.

Assists with operational software systems (i.e., MiChart, HCN and Fastrack)

Opens and closes cash registers, performing tasks such as counting money, separating charge slips, coupons, and vouchers, balancing cash drawers, etc.

Processes walk-in retail sales transactions including computing sales prices; sales taxes when applicable; total purchases; receiving and processing cash or credit payments; exchanging merchandise for customers and accepting returns; and maintaining records related to all sales, exchanges and returns.

Maintains knowledge of current sales and promotions, policies regarding payment and exchanges, and security practices.

Watches for and recognizes security risks and thefts, and knows how to prevent or handle these situations.

Prepares merchandise for purchase or rental; Completes inventory of stock and requisitions new stock as needed; and cleans shelves, counters, and tables keeping merchandise area tidy, including restocking retail shelves and storeroom.

Provides coverage for the front desk as assigned.

Required Qualifications* High School diploma or equivalent

Excellent oral and written communication skills

Ability to work with minimal direction

Demonstrated ability in interaction with patient/caregiver and other health professionals in the provision of HCS equipment delivery and set up.

Physical Demands: The employee will be able to perform the assigned duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodations. This position requires knowledge and proficient use of computers and various computer applications. These duties require fine motor coordination/dexterity, the ability to grasp, vision with or without corrective aids adequate for fine motor tasks and computer skills. The position requires the employee to have the ability to sit for long periods of time. The job requires the physical demands of occasional lifting up to and including 50 pounds, reaching, pushing, walking, going up and down stairs, etc., with or without the use of assistive/adaptive devices.

Desired Qualifications* Completion of an associate degree in health service related field or equivalent work experience such as a Medical Assistant

One year home care or related experience

Computer/keyboard data entry skills and experience

Customer service experience

Work Schedule Full Time. Tuesday-Friday 10:00-6:30, Saturday 8:00-4:00.

Work Locations This position is located at 2705 S. Industrial.

Underfill Statement This position may be underfilled at a lower classification depending on the qualifications of the selected candidate.

Background Screening University of Michigan Health System conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings. Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act.

Mission Statement The University of Michigan Health System improves the health of patients, populations and communities through excellence in education, patient care, community service, research and technology development, and through leadership activities in Michigan, nationally and internationally. Our mission is guided by our Strategic Principles and has three critical components; patient care, education and research that together enhance our contribution to society.

Application Deadline Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO/AA Statement The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.