Health Care Assistant

Planned Parenthood; Village of Patchogue (NY); On-site; USD 36,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Planned Parenthood in Patchogue, NY is seeking a Health Center Assistant to support administrative and clinical functions. You will assist front desk operations, register patients, and help with patient flow to improve satisfaction and safety of services.

You will participate in routine clinical tasks under supervision, including chart maintenance, lab processing support, and patient education on services offered. The role requires teamwork, reliability, and attention to detail.

Qualifications

• Completion of an accredited high school program or equivalent required.
• Additional training in healthcare or medical services desirable.
• Experience in front desk or clinical support is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Assist front desk with receipting, patient registration, and phone handling.
• Manage patient flow: reception, check-in/out, waiting room observation, and reporting to management.
• Maintain electronic health records and practice management systems; handle charting tasks.

Skills

English communication

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Education

High School Diploma

Job description

Serves as a fundamental member of the health center operations and clinical support team. Successfully completes assigned support tasks under supervision of center management and licensed clinical staff. Provides essential assistance to maximize center flow, patient satisfaction, safety of PPHP’s services, and internal customer service.

Essential Functions

Administrative

• Assist with front desk office functions including receipting and registering patients, photocopying, faxing, phone call and mail handling, scanning and all other assigned administrative support tasks.
• Handle all front desk functions as assigned including patient reception, check‑in/check‑out, observation and maintenance of the waiting room, and observe and report back to center management to assist with patient flow and customer service.
• Receive and make phone calls, handle mail and deliveries to the center as assigned; ensure supplies are received and unpacked according to procedures. Demonstrate proficiency in the electronic health record and practice management system.
• Explain and offer available entitlement programs to patients and assist in enrolling them.
• Assemble any necessary paperwork (such as instructional packets) and any fundamental chart information for clinical staff.
• Handle lab results under supervision, including calling patients with results and scheduling any required returns to medical center visits.
• Maintain electronic and medical chart functions as assigned including filing, scanning, purging, archiving.
• Maintain knowledge of and comply with agency security procedures and protocols.
• Demonstrate flexibility and teamwork; understand the interaction between this position and others with whom the position works directly and indirectly.
• Participate in all center efforts to meet, adhere to and manage center fiscal goals relative to revenue and expenses.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Clinical

• Complete support functions for patient assessment including laboratory services and testing, vital signs assessment, readying patient for exam and treatment, setting up of trays, etc.
• Educate patients for both medication and surgical abortion.
• Draw blood and handle specimens correctly (i.e. correct vials, universal precautions) and complete appropriate laboratory requisitions.
• Provide urine pregnancy testing, HIV testing and any other PPHP approved laboratory testing and complete any appropriate laboratory requisitions.
• Obtain and record patient vital signs.
• Provide accurate and complete information/education to clients concerning the risks and benefits of family planning methods, basic reproductive and family planning services offered by PPHP, and the availability of related services within PPHP.
• Conduct interviews with patients and assist them in understanding and completing medical histories, consent forms, and other information related to their visit.
• Provide contraceptive supplies, information and instructions for their use, as appropriate and delegated by the Senior Clinician/Clinician.
• Assist in the clerical and informational tasks related to proper follow‑up of patients according to the protocols and procedures of PPHP.
• Perform options counseling.
• Clean, prepare and stock exam rooms; sterilize instruments according to OSHA and PPFA standards.
• Ensure, through a professional, open, and courteous manner, that each patient receives the care and information he or she needs.
• Assist in the referral of patients to other services provided by PPHP or other agencies in the community, as indicated.
• Assist in the maintenance of an efficient, clean and comfortable Center facility.
• Takes personal responsibility to remain informed about family planning methods, abortion and other services offered by PPHP; PPHP protocols, policies and procedures; and request training and continuing education as needed.
• Participate, as assigned, in routine Center chart audits and quality assurance procedures.
• Provide support and direction to Center volunteers as needed and directed by the Health Center Manager.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Non‑Essential Functions

• Participate in Inventory Management of the center under the direction of the Health Center Manager.
• Attend center and agency meetings and trainings as appropriate.
• Perform bank deposits in absence of supervisor as assigned.
• Assist with State Benefits program applications follow‑up as assigned.
• Regularly check personal PPHP email account for important agency‑related communications, at least every 24 hours.

Qualifications

• Completion of an accredited high school program or equivalent required; further education, training, and/or certification preferred.
• Additional training and/or education in reproductive health or medical services desirable.
• Previous professional experience with the provision of family planning services preferred.
• Previous medical laboratory and/or counseling experience desirable, as well as familiarity with computer databases.
• Knowledge of basic principles of patient care and of duties and responsibilities of HCA I position.
• Able to work in a fast‑paced environment and pay close attention to detail.
• Skilled in verbal and written communications in English.
• Able to work evening and weekend hours, and to work at other PPHP Centers, as needed.
• Able to assist patients with completion of medical forms.
• Able to commit to the efficient and customer‑oriented provision of services, and to the operating goals and philosophies of PPHP.