Patient Care Associate

Company Details: Heart of Ohio Family Health is a non-profit organization that operates the following six Federally Qualified Health Centers located in Franklin County, Ohio: Heart of Ohio Family Health at Capital Park, Heart of Ohio Family Health at Canal Winchester, Heart of Ohio Family Health at Mount Carmel East, Heart of Ohio Family Health at St. Ann’s, Heart of Ohio Family Health - James B. Feibel Center, and Heart of Ohio Family Health at Whitehall-Yearling (a school-based site). As a nationally recognized quality leader and patient-centered health care operation, or mission is to provide high-quality, holistic, and compassionate care to meet the healthcare needs of everyone in our diverse community, one heart at a time. We provide healthcare services regardless of ability to pay and offer a sliding fee scale based on income and number of dependents.

Summary: In accordance with the Mission and Vision statement the Patient Care Associate will function within the State of Ohio scope of practice to administer direct care to patients, functioning under the direction of the provider, following all policies and procedures of Heart of Ohio Family Health.

Full time Position

Reports to: Clinical Supervisor

Supervises: N/A

Dress Requirement: scrubs in accordance to Heart of Ohio Family Health’s dress code policy

Work Schedule:

Monday through Friday standard business hours

40 hours per week, times are subject to change based on staffing needs.

A primary location will be specified at the interview, but Patient Care Associates are expected to float between all Heart of Ohio Family Health based on organizational need.

Non-Exempt

Job Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

• Education and Experience: Some education in the medical field and/or significant experience in the medical field. Students in health sciences, nursing, etc. are encouraged to apply.
• Certification: CMA, LPN, STNA, CHW, and EMT certifications are encouraged to apply but not required. Must complete competency training and may have more limited expected activities based on certification.
• Effective Communication Skills
• Current BLS/CPR preferred but not required
• Exceptional customer service skills
• Must be able to work as a team member
• Demonstrate skills and abilities in clinical and administrative areas including office lab testing, patient care, and vitals.
• Ability to work with limited supervision and to make decisions based on established policies and procedures
• Basic computer skills required, previous experience with EMR preferred
• Ability to travel to additional HOFH sites, the primary work site will be where colleague starts the day.

Essential Responsibilities

• Scope of responsibilities depend on background
• Supports the HOFH mission and vision statements holding self and others accountable and role modeling excellence for all to see. For example: demonstrates friendliness and courtesy, effective communication creates a professional environment and provides first class service.
• Meets population specific and all other competencies according to department requirements.
• Promotes a Culture of Safety by adhering to policy, procedures, and plans that are in place to prevent workplace injury, violence or adverse outcome to associates and patients.
• Relationship-based care: Creates a caring and healing environment that keeps the patient and family at the center of care throughout their experience at HOFH following mission and vision.
• Screens, refers, routes and places phone calls
• Prepares patient charts for appointment: files result of tests, procedures and ensures chart completeness
• Documents patient care observations and activities according to professional standards and procedures.
• Request previous medical records
• Prepares and organizes departments: inspects exam rooms for cleanliness and equipment for condition.
• Stock supplies as needed
• Attends required in-service training
• Maintains continuing education units as appropriate
• Greets and escorts patient to exam room
• Measures and records vital signs
• Records patient interview and history
• Provides approved patient education materials upon the direction of provider
• Prepares patient for examinations, routine screening tests, and procedures
• Assist the provider with procedures as needed.
• Performs basic office labs and point of care testing as ordered
• Prepares and administers medication (no IV medications), changes dressings, removes staples/sutures based on written provider order. This responsibility is dependent on previous background, education, experience, etc. and clinical competency check.
• Participates in QI initiatives. Completes population health outreach for patients with uncontrolled chronic disease/care gaps.
• Assists in keeping records for completion of control checks for urinalysis, HgbA1c, etc., documenting cleaning of equipment like the autoclave, recording fridge temperatures, and other basic compliance related tasks.
• Assist in emergency situations under the direction of the provider
• Abides by all federal mandates
• Maintains patient confidentiality and abides by all HIPAA guidelines

Other Job Responsibilities

• Travel to other HOFH sites as needed
• Assists with patient inquiries/concerns regarding medical care, medication instructions, and prescription call-ins in a prompt, courteous, and efficient manner
• Understands the EMR standards and workflow
• Responsible for compliance with Organizational Integrity through raising questions and promptly reporting actual or potential wrongdoing.
• All other duties as assigned.

Facility Environment:

Heart of Ohio Family Health operates in multiple locations. All facilities have a medical office environment with front-desk reception area, separate patient examination rooms, nursing stations, pharmacy stock room, business offices, hallways and private toilet facilities. All facilities are on the main ground floor and ADA compliant.

This position’s primary work area is patient examination rooms and nursing stations.

The patient examination rooms and nursing stations areas are:

• kept at a normal working temperature
• sanitized daily
• maintains standard office environment furniture with adjustable chairs
• maintains standard office equipment; ie, computer, copier, fax machine, etc. at a normal working height

Physical Demands and Requirements: these may be modified to accurately perform the essential functions of the position:

• Mobility = ability to easily move without assistance
• Bending = occasional bending from the waist and knees
• Reaching = occasional reaching no higher than normal arm stretches
• Lifting/Carry = ability to lift and carry a normal stack of documents and/or files
• Pushing/Pulling = ability to push or pull a normal office environment
• Dexterity = ability to handle and/or grasp, use a keyboard, calculator, and other office equipment accurately and quickly
• Hearing = ability to accurately hear and react to the normal tone of a person’s voice
• Visual = ability to safely and accurately see and react to factors and objects in a normal setting
• Speaking = ability to pronounce words clearly to be understood by another individual