RURAL CLINICAL ASSISTANT TRAINEE

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 Trainee 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.  Information is written in patients’ chart along with patients’ medical history.  This position works closely with providers giving support such as rooming patients, perform CLIA-waived laboratory tests, answering phones, processing provider orders, and participation in training processes and staff meetings.  Must demonstrate good judgment and be self-starter, but works under close supervision of provider.

This position directly supports and assists the rural clinic provider. 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 health care for patients in rural communities. This is a job progression consisting of four job levels, designed to provide progressively more technical and independent work experiences to participants as part of the overall assessment of their ability and capability.  Promotion between job levels is based on performance on prior assignments, required certifications, and the demonstrated ability to successfully handle more progressively responsible assignments.  *Independent performance of all clinical duties will be based on satisfactory completion of competency assessments.

$18.39 - $32.73/hr depending on experience and certifications.

• 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, use of an automated external defibrillator.
• Performs 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 ensures 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.

There is constant exposure to illness, injury, and disease. There are sometimes large volumes of patients within a short period of time. The Clinical Assistant must be able to multitask and prioritize duties, as the pace is often rapid with pressure to efficiently complete assignments and keep clinic flow moving well. The Clinical Assistant must be able to recognize signs and symptoms that may require immediate attention. Requires attention to detail in order to accurately collect patient data, complete patient documentation, maintain logs, and comply with regulatory requirements. An important aspect of this position is to perform error free work.  Testing errors can result in misdiagnosis or incorrect treatment.   Required to work with staff of different backgrounds and educational levels and the CA must be able to communicate clearly and be understood. Rural clinics often have limited staffing, so the incumbent must be flexible, be able to recognize what needs to get done and work efficiently so patients have access to care.  The person in this position must be able to provide compassionate care to individuals in various states of health. 

Education/Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Successful completion of a two-week in-house laboratory training program is required for continued employment.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Knowledge of:

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

Skills:

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

Ability to:

• Operate medical equipment including blood pressure cuff, pulse oximeter, EKG machine, tympanometer, autoclave, etc
• 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