CARE ASSOCIATE/CARE TECH - NEUROSURG CONSULT (40 HRS/WK DAYS)

About the Role

The Care Associate/Care Tech at Riverside Healthcare is a vital part of the healthcare team, providing both clinical and administrative support within a physician office setting. This role involves direct patient care, such as administering injections, performing diagnostic tests, and assisting with medical procedures, as well as administrative tasks like patient check-in, data entry, and maintaining accurate records in electronic medical records (EMRs). The position requires excellent clinical skills, strong attention to detail, and the ability to work efficiently in an automated environment while demonstrating flexibility with assignments within professional scope, duties, and licensure.

Responsibilities

Clinical Support

• Administer subcutaneous injections as requested by the provider, following all applicable protocols.
• Perform venipunctures and non-blood specimen collection, ensuring proper labeling, form completion, and timely transport to laboratories.
• Assist providers and nurses with medical procedures, ensuring patient comfort and safety.
• Conduct pulmonary function tests, electrocardiograms (EKGs), pulse oximetry, and nebulizer treatments as instructed by the provider.
• Collect and document clinical data accurately in all applicable EMRs, ensuring compliance with regulatory guidelines, health maintenance protocols, and quality measures.
• Follow up on lab work, referrals, consultations, and other testing as directed by the provider.
• Reconcile patient immunization records in the EMR, including ICARE records, ensuring accuracy.
• Maintain Point of Care Testing (POCT) competencies and perform quality control for waived testing.

Administrative Tasks

• Greet patients timely and courteously, escorting them to exam rooms and ensuring a positive experience.
• Answer telephone calls with a positive attitude, take accurate messages, and address customer questions and concerns efficiently.
• Assist patients with electronic registration within the clinic setting, ensuring all required information is accurately entered into the system.
• Perform accurate computer data entry of patient demographics and other essential information in the EMR.
• Register patients according to clinic protocols, including verifying insurance, running estimates, collecting payments, and scheduling clinical and diagnostic appointments.
• Scan and file patient test results, records, and other paperwork in a timely and accurate manner, ensuring proper documentation in the EMR.
• Document missed appointments in patient records and follow up on patient work queues in a timely manner.
• Assist with confirming patient appointments and maintaining the front desk and reception areas, ensuring they are ready for each working day and fully operational at the start of business hours.
• Maintain a pleasant, friendly, and professional demeanor with all employees, patients, guests, vendors, and visitors of Riverside Healthcare.

Customer Interaction

• Adhere to AIDET format and standards: Acknowledge and greet all customers timely with a professional and friendly demeanor.
• Identify patients' needs for additional information and refer them to appropriate healthcare resources as needed.
• Maintain current knowledge of insurance coverages to assist patients with insurance verification and authorization processes.

Non-essential Duties

• Clean exam rooms using proper wipes and following appropriate wet time guidelines to ensure a safe and sanitary environment.
• Assist with maintaining office supplies and ensuring the clinic is fully stocked and organized.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• CPR certification preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous clinical experience, including the ability to take vital signs, perform phlebotomy, EKG, and administer injections.
• Knowledge of medical terminology.
• Knowledge of insurance and authorization processes.

Benefits

Riverside Healthcare offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards, including:

• Competitive compensation with base pay within the range of USD $19.02 - USD $23.46 per hour, plus premium pay such as shift differential and on-call opportunities.
• Annual increases based on performance.
• Paid Time Off programs (for 0.5 to 1.0 FTE).
• Health and welfare benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, and short- and long-term disability insurance (for 0.5 to 1.0 FTE).
• Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible healthcare and dependent care expenses (for 0.5 to 1.0 FTE).
• Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs.
• Educational Assistance Program.
• Paid Leave Hours accrued as you work (for 0.001 to 0.49 FTE).

Employee Health Requirements

Exposure/Sensory Requirements

• Exposure to Chemicals: Bleach, alcohol, peroxide, and liquid nitrogen.
• Video Display Terminals: Average use.
• Blood and Body Fluids: Some potential due to vomit, diarrhea, blood, and other body fluids, but the use of Universal Precautions and protection reduces risk.
• TB or Airborne Pathogens: Exposure to patients.

Sensory Requirements:

• Speech: Needed for presentations/training, telephone communication, and facilitating meetings.
• Vision: Needed to read memos and literature.
• Smell: Electrical/fire safety.
• Hearing: Needed for telephone communications, meetings, and listening to employee concerns.
• Touch: Needed for writing, computer entry, and filing.

Activity/Lifting Requirements

Percentage of time during the normal workday:

• Sit: 10%
• Stand: 40%
• Walk: 20%
• Drive: 5%
• Twist: 5%
• Squat: 5%
• Bend: 5%
• Reach above shoulders: 5%
• Lift: 5%

Weight required to be lifted each normal workday:

• Up to 10 lbs: Frequently
• Up to 20 lbs: Not Required
• Up to 35 lbs: Not Required
• Up to 50 lbs: Not Required
• Up to 75 lbs: Not Required
• Up to 100 lbs: Not Required
• Over 100 lbs: Not Required

Lifting and carrying requirements: Carry charts from file cabinets to exam room or desk; stock rooms with supplies, carry supplies from med room to patient room. Place supplies in cabinets, move chairs and boxes. Put babies on scale, walk from room to scale in hall, then back to room.

Maximum consecutive time (minutes) during the normal workday for each activity:

• Sit: 10
• Stand: 55
• Walk: 15
• Twist: 5
• Squat: 10
• Bend: 2
• Reach above shoulders: 0
• Lift: 10

Repetitive Use of Hands:

• Simple grasp up to 10 lbs: 70%
• Pushing & pulling (normal weight: 50-200 lbs)
• Fine manipulation: Writing, computer keyboard.

Environmental Factors & Special Hazards

• Environmental Factors:
  • Inside hours: 8
  • Outside hours: 0
  • Temperature: Normal Range
  • Lighting: Average
  • Noise levels: Average
  • Humidity: Normal Range
  • Atmosphere: Odors
• Special Hazards: Body fluids, bleach, alcohol, peroxide, liquid nitrogen.
• Protective Clothing Required: As needed for safety.