CLINICAL ASSISTANT III

SEARHC is a non-profit health consortium which serves the health interests of the residents of Southeast Alaska. We see our employees as our strongest assets. It is our priority to further their development and our organization by aiding in their professional advancement.

Working at SEARHC is more than a job, it’s a fulfilling career. We offer generous benefits, including retirement, paid time off, paid parental leave, health, dental, and vision benefits, life insurance and long and short-term disability, and more.

The Clinical Assistant-III performs all of the job duties of the Clinical Assistant II, in addition the Clinical Assistant-III applies a more extensive knowledge of medical practice and terminology and judgment based on greater clinical experience. The more technical duties of the Clinical Assistant III require a higher level of training, competency or specific certification. The CAIII is responsible for processing provider orders pertaining to diagnostic tests, referrals and other patient data that involves non-routine problems, timely and accurately.

The Clinical Assistant III provides care to infants, toddlers, children, adolescents, adults and elderly in a rural ambulatory care clinic. This position is essential in maintaining efficient clinic operations and patient flow in order to maximize the provider’s time and to insure access to care. Clinical Assistants (CA) perform administrative duties, data management and handle basic clinical tasks.  This information is written in patients’ chart along with patients’ medical history.  This CAIII works closely with providers giving support and performing essential duties such as rooming patients, performing clinical tasks including CLIA-waived laboratory testing, quality assurance activities and taking x-rays, start and administer IV fluids within the scope of practice certification, ECC monitoring and defibrillation, maintaining the lab and exam rooms, demonstrates excellent customer service skills.   The CA assists in answering phones, processing provider orders, data entry, and participation in training processes.  Must be able to make independent decisions within scope of practice based on experience and good judgment and be self-starting, and require little guidance to keep busy.

This position is responsible for leading Clinical Assistant I and Clinical Assistant II positions.

• Rooming Patients. Prepares for patient visit by reviewing chart for needed forms, follow-up labs or procedures needed. Prepares patient for the exam by obtaining and recording 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.  Assures patient medication and immunization records are current. Recognizes signs or symptoms requiring prompt intervention and acts appropriately. Transports patients within the facility, as needed. Demonstrates ability to smoothly manage patient care duties while maintaining clinic flow.  Report, and when appropriate, record any changes observed in condition or behavior of patients, unusual incidents or breeches in safety. Observe patients to insure children, elderly, or impaired patients who require observation or assistance have someone in attendance.  
• Clinical Duties. Set up equipment and supplies for routine exams and minor procedures. Prepare Patient for and assist with procedures, treatments, and minor office surgeries.  Provides specimen collection, throat swabs for culture, CLIA-waived laboratory testing*, such as PT/INR, strep A, hemoccult, capillary glucose, urine analyzer, urine HCG. Performs phlebotomy for Quest labs.  Follows protocol for collecting, labeling and transporting of specimens. With appropriate orders:  apply heat/cold packs, abdominal binders, anti-embolism stockings, per competency assessment, obtain 12 lead EKG’s per competency assessment, peak flow, apply oxygen.  Assist patients with ambulation or transfer; perform minor, non-invasive treatments, e.g. simple dressing changes, suture or staple removal from healed wounds, nebulizer treatments, ear lavage, cast removal, practice of approved airway management techniques, Foley catheter insertion, DM foot exams.  More complex duties may include starting and administering IVs as allowed within scope of practice certification, operating equipment such as Zoll monitor and IV pump, use of a manual defibrillator, monitoring cardiac activity, taking x-rays.  May perform advanced life support. Assist provider in identifying patients overdue for visits, labs, immunizations and preventative health maintenance; assessing the patient’s need for routine, urgent and emergent appointments with appropriate provider and clinic.  Perform basic health coaching and patient education as directed by the provider and according to evidence-based guidelines using patient education materials.   
• Maintain lab and exam rooms. Sanitizes exam rooms between patients.  Ensures exam room supplies are organized and stocked.  Maintains lab equipment and organizes lab supplies. Inventory, re-order, and stock medical supplies. Sterilizes surgical equipment and insures sterile package integrity. Dispose of solid/liquid waste and infectious materials according to infection control standards. 
• Quality Assurance. Conducts daily/weekly/monthly QA checks on equipment and crash cart.  Documents refrigerator temperatures according to regulations.  Keeps sterilization logs.  Demonstrates correct utilization of computer-based health information system and electronic health record systems. Notify provider of any repairs/safety concerns that need attention.  Maintain a safe and clean environment. 
• Customer Service. Promotes the SEARHC Seven Standards of Excellence.  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.  Provide cross-coverage for their peers, helping peers and clinics that are in need of assistance to ensure the efficient and effective flow of patients through the department.  Perform duties as assigned in a responsible, respectful and caring manner to promote effective staff relationships. 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. 

*Independent performance of all clinical duties will be based on satisfactory completion of competency assessments.

Education:

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Successful completion of demonstrated competencies within 3 months of hire and annually thereafter.

Certification:

• EMT III Current Alaska Certification or
• Community Health Aide Practitioner or
• Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) or
• Current Alaska Paramedic Certification or
• Graduation with a nursing degree from an accredited institution can replace certification requirements above.
• Current Basic Life Safety certification

Experience:

• Three years healthcare experience (primary care preferred)
• X-ray training or experience preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• In depth knowledge of medical terminology
• Clinic procedures for receiving and following through on a patient visit and any related clinic treatments and procedures
• Age appropriate vital signs and behaviors
• Life-saving procedures

Skills:

• Good interpersonal communication skills and use of customer service skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Computer application skills sufficient to utilize medical database in an competent manner

Ability to:

• Operate medical equipment including blood pressure cuff, pulse oximeter, EKG machine, tympanometer, autoclave, IV pump, Cardiac monitor, manual defibrillator, portable x-ray machine.
• Learn and use various EMR systems and accurately record patient data
• Train 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