Health Care Assistant

Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington, DC (PPMW) was founded on the visionary idea that access to sexual and reproductive health care could transform people’s lives. For over 80 years, PPMW has provided high quality, supportive reproductive medical care for families in the DC metro area. 

About the role

Provide the foundation on which Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington DC, Inc. (PPMW) builds efficient, professional health centers. As the initial point of contact with clients and the public, the HCA must represent the PPMW commitment to quality healthcare and excellent customer service. Responsible for the performance of front desk, telephone and health care center duties and adherence to PPMW’s policies, procedures and medical standards and guidelines, using a customer centered approach to health care delivery.

What you'll do

Core Functions:

• Display initiative in maintaining an attractive and impeccably clean clinic environment, including public restrooms, waiting areas, lab, exam rooms, and reception area.
• Ensure the good working condition of office and lab equipment— identifying and reporting malfunctions promptly.
• Participate in PPMW’s inventory program to ensure adequate and accurate inventory.
• Participate in all clinic efforts to achieve benchmarks set for excellence of care and productivity.
• Demonstrate consistent excellent customer service.
• Greet clients and visitors in a positive, warm, caring, friendly manner.
• Safeguard the privacy and protected health information of clients in compliance with law and PPMW policies.
• Ensure that Request for Medical Services and Acknowledgement of Receipt of HIPAA Privacy Information has been signed by the client prior to the provision of care.
• Participate in PPMW’s Risk and Quality Management (RQM) and Referral Follow-Up programs.

Front Desk/Reception (Function 1)

• Manage flow of clients and visitors in the reception area. Process over the counter sales of medications.
• Process incoming and outgoing faxes.
• Record incoming payments according to PPMW policy and procedure guidelines.
• Maintain adequate inventory of supplies, forms and other items as necessary.
• Collect and input client registration information.
• Provide patients with forms and fact sheets essential to the level of services requested.
• Complete day-end procedures such as preparing deposit and balancing cash drawer according to PPMW policy.
• Maintain strict cash control.
• Assess client finances, which may include verifying insurance, health plan authorization, determining grant eligibility, or determining sliding-fee scale status.
• Ensure that patient visits are initiated, entered and closed in a timely manner.
• Collect fees per PPMW guidelines, and complete appropriate documentation.
• Provide general information and patient education.
• Document phone conversations in patient records as indicated. Facilitate appointment scheduling.
• Triage and refer calls appropriately.
• Assign electronic tasks for RN/clinician calls.
• Disburse contraceptive supplies with correct authorization and documentation.
• Ensure adequate inventory of supplies at dispensing station.
• Ensure that prescription labels are present and product inserts are given as indicated.
• Respond efficiently to requests to telephone/mail/electronic requests for refills.

Family Planning Clinical Assistant (Function 2)

• Collect vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, temperature, height, weight) as indicated for client visits.
• Interview client to attain appropriate information about health history, primary purpose of visit, and needs assessment.
• Work in conjunction with the clinician, RN, or physician.
• Complete chart and billing documentation accurately to include all labs performed, supplies given and patient care.
• Ensure and document that appropriate education/fact sheets are provided for any education provided by the HCA.
• Ensure that informed consent including review of risk, benefits, and alternatives is obtained and all appropriate forms are completed and signed prior to the provision of any special services/procedures.
• Set up, maintain, and clean exam rooms for all procedures (leep, colpo, larc, etc)
• Maintain adequate inventory of all supplies, promptly alert Center Manager of any supply requests.
• Audit exam rooms to ensure supplies are stored correctly and used or discarded prior to expiration.
• Perform venipuncture and finger stick blood collection.
• Perform basic on-site lab tests such as pregnancy testing, urinalysis, hemoglobin, and Rh typing.
• Perform rapid-result HIV testing and short-term counseling in compliance with local regulations and CDC procedures.
• Collect and appropriately prepare and package specimens for transport to off- site laboratories.
• Collect vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, temperature, height, weight) as indicated for client visits.
• Maintain lab according to OSHA and CLIA standards and guidelines.
• Perform routine autoclave maintenance including draining, cleaning, and spore testing.
• Ensure accuracy of lab logs, including findings and follow-up per protocol.
• Perform and record all laboratory controls.
• Participate in laboratory proficiency testing program and annual lab skills competency evaluation.
• Disburse contraceptive supplies with correct authorization and documentation.
• Ensure adequate inventory of supplies at dispensing station.
• Ensure that prescription labels are present and product inserts are given as indicated.
• Respond efficiently to requests to telephone/mail/electronic requests for refills.
• Provide appropriate referrals and information (prenatal care, adoption) to clients who do not desire abortion.
• Discuss client’s social support and offer additional supports (talk lines, websites, community resources) as indicated.
• Conduct intimate partner violence (IPV) and reproductive coercion screenings; address positive screenings or refer to RN/clinician/physician.
• Advise client of all abortion methods appropriate for gestational age.
• Educate client about desired abortion method, including review of risks and benefits.
• Ensure that informed consent is obtained, and all appropriate forms are completed and signed.
• Give and document the appropriate fact sheets for any education provided by the HCA.
• Offer information about contraception and safer sex to all clients.

Primary Care Clinical Assistant (Function 3)

• Physical Exams
• Incision & drainage
• Cryotherapy
• EKG
• Rapid Flu Test/Rapid Strep Test
• Fecal Occult Blood Test
• Vaccines/Vaccine Administration
• Maintain adequate inventory of all supplies; promptly alert Center Manager of any supply requests.
• Perform basic on-site lab tests such as urinalysis, hemoglobin, and glucose
• Collect and appropriately prepare and package specimens for transport to off- site laboratories.
• Collect vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, temperature, height, weight) as indicated for client visits.
• Maintain lab according to OSHA and CLIA standards and guidelines.
• Ensure accuracy of lab logs, including findings and follow-up per protocol.
• Perform and record all laboratory controls.
• Participate in laboratory proficiency testing program and annual lab skills competency evaluation
• Provide appropriate referrals
• Conduct intimate partner violence (IPV) and reproductive coercion screenings; address positive screenings or refer to RN/clinician/physician.
• Ensure that informed consent is obtained and all appropriate forms are completed and signed.
• Give and document the appropriate fact sheets for any education provided by the HCA.

Surgery Assistant (Function 4)

• Prepares rooms before and cleans rooms after procedures, ensuring all materials needed by the clinician are present and ready for use.
• Assists the client and clinician as needed during the procedure.
• Supports the client in their immediate post-procedure recovery, including transfer to a monitored recovery area when indicated.
• Recognizes typical/atypical intra- and post-procedure client status and requests assistance appropriately.
• Assess client’s pregnancy decision.
• Provide appropriate referrals and information (prenatal care, adoption) to clients who do not desire abortion.
• Discuss client’s social support and offer additional supports (talk lines, websites, community resources) as indicated
• Conduct intimate partner violence (IPV) and reproductive coercion screenings; address positive screenings or refer to RN/clinician/physician.
• Advise client of all abortion methods appropriate for gestational age.
• Educate client about desired abortion method, including review of risks and benefits.
• Ensure that informed consent is obtained and all appropriate forms are completed and signed.
• Give and document the appropriate fact sheets for any education provided by the HCA.
• Offer information about contraception and safer sex to all clients.
• Perform and record all laboratory controls
• Perform basic on-site lab tests such as pregnancy testing, hemoglobin, and Rh typing.
• Perform venipuncture and finger stick blood collection.
• Collect vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, temperature, height, weight) as indicated for client visits.
• Interview client to attain appropriate information about health history, primary purpose of visit, and needs assessment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma, GED or equivalent certification required.
• Certification as medical assistant preferred.
• Minimum 2 years of customer service or related experience preferred.
• Family planning experience preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to perform work accurately and with attention to detail.