Clinical Assistant - Intermittent

SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC); Sitka (AK); On-site; USD 34,440 - 37,002; Full time

Job summary

SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) is seeking a Clinical Assistant in Sitka, Alaska. This role involves providing comprehensive care to patients of all ages in a rural clinic setting, including rooming patients and performing clinical and administrative duties.

Qualified candidates should have a high school diploma or GED, customer service experience, and be able to obtain a BLS certification within 45 days of hire. This role is crucial in maintaining patient flow and efficient clinic operations.

Qualifications

• Must have customer service experience.
• Health care experience, education, or training is preferred.
• Knowledge of HIPAA and SEARHC Policies.

Responsibilities

• Room patients and perform clinical duties in the clinic.
• Assist with procedures, treatments, and minor office surgeries.
• Document patient information accurately in charts.

Skills

Communication and customer service skills

Computer application skills

Ability to operate medical equipment

Education

High school diploma or GED

Current BLS certification

Clinical Competency certification

Tools

EKG machine

Pulse oximeter

Blood pressure cuff

Job description

Pay Range: $25.00 - $26.86. The Clinical Assistant provides care to infants, toddlers, children, adolescents, adults, and elderly in a rural ambulatory care clinic. Essential job responsibilities include rooming patients, performing clinical duties, maintaining lab and exam rooms, quality assurance activities, and demonstrating customer service skills. In addition, Clinical Assistants perform administrative and data management tasks. This position is essential in maintaining efficient clinic operations and patient flow to maximize the provider’s time and to ensure access to care. This information is written in patients’ chart along with patients’ medical history. This position works closely with providers giving support such as rooming patients, performing Point of Care testing, answering phones, processing provider orders, data entry, and participation in training processes. Must demonstrate good judgment and be self-starting but works under close supervision of provider.

Key Essential Functions And Accountabilities Of The Job

• Prepares for patient visit by reviewing chart for needed forms, follow-up labs or procedures needed.
  • Obtains and records age-appropriate vital signs per department protocol, i.e., temperature, height, weight, head circumference, blood pressure, respiration, pulse oximetry, visual acuity testing.
  • Obtains medical history update and confirms medications.
• Accurately collects and documents information in patient chart. Keeps patient records in order with all forms properly identified; copies and compiles other medical data as needed.
• Recognizes signs or symptoms requiring prompt intervention and acts appropriately.
• Transport patients within the facility, as needed.
• Demonstrate ability to smoothly manage patient care duties while maintaining clinic flow.
• Reports, and when appropriate, records any changes observed in condition or behavior of patients, unusual incidents, or breeches in safety. Observes patients to insure children, elderly, or impaired patients who require observation or assistance have someone in attendance.
• Sets up equipment and supplies for routine exams and minor procedures.
• Prepares patients for and assists with procedures, treatments, and minor office surgeries.
  • Provides specimen collection and Point of Care Testing (POCT). Follows protocol for collecting, labeling, and transporting of specimens. With appropriate orders applies heat/cold packs, abdominal binders, anti-embolism stockings, obtain 12 lead EKG, peak flow, applies oxygen.
  • Assists patients with ambulation or transfer; performs minor, non-invasive treatments
• Sanitizes exam rooms between patients. Appropriately processes surgical equipment and ensures sterile package integrity. Maintains a safe and clean environment.
• Ensures exam room supplies are organized and stocked. Maintains lab equipment and organizes lab supplies. Inventory, re-order, and stock medical supplies.
• Disposes of solid/liquid waste and infectious materials according to infection control standards.
• Conducts daily/weekly/monthly QA checks on equipment and maintains logs.
• Demonstrates correct utilization of computer-based health information systems and electronic health record systems. Notifies provider of any repairs/safety concerns that need attention.
• Performs office duties to include:
  • Answers inquiries of a general nature by nursing staff, provider staff, other departments, visitors, and patients: assisting them in a friendly and cooperative manner; receives and relays messages to personnel and uses proper telephone etiquette. Makes confirmation calls to patients as needed.
  • Performs duties as assigned in a responsible, respectful, and caring manner to promote effective staff relationships.

Other Functions

• Will provide cross-coverage for their peers, helping peers and clinics that need assistance to ensure the efficient and effective flow of patients through the department.
• Attends and participates in at least 50% area staff meetings annually; responsible for applying information presented in staff meetings; participates in unit goal setting; complies with area and departmental scheduling guidelines; initiates discussion with department manager regarding area or department issues; complies with dress code; refers un-resolved problems with patients/visitors/co-workers to appropriate Manager for resolution; addresses employee concerns consistent with Human Resources Policy.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• This position does not require supervisory responsibilities.

Education, Certifications, and Licenses Required

• High school diploma or GED – required.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification within 45 days of hire – required.
• Clinical Competency completed within 3 months and every 3 years – required.

Experience Required

• Customer service experience
• Health care experience, education or training

Knowledge of

• Clinic procedures for receiving and following through on a patient visit and any related clinic treatments, procedures.
• Age-appropriate vital signs and behaviors.
• HIPAA and SEARHC Policies.

Skills In

• Communication and use of customer service skills.
• Computer application skills sufficient to utilize medical databases in a competent manner.
• Ability to operate medical equipment including blood pressure cuff, pulse oximeter, EKG machine, etc.

Ability to

• Learn and use various EMR systems and accurately record patient data.
• Communicate and interact with all members of the multidisciplinary healthcare team.
• Recognize and respond appropriately in emergency situations.

Other Qualifications

• Employee will begin Clinical Assistant training program within 1 year
• Complete Clinical Assistant exam within 2 years

Position Information

Work Shift: OT 8/40