Medical Practice Assistant - Peritoneal Dialysis

Primary Purpose

Accountable for providing patient centered care and operational support to the medical team to ensure an optimal patient experience. Coordinates activities in the clinical areas and facilities a smooth patient flow. Assists with patient data collection, performs select screenings and completes medical office functions relevant to area/assignment.

Education

None.

Experience

Must have three years of customer service experience, preferably in a medical/healthcare/health insurance setting. Patient registration experience preferred. Prefer completion of course work towards an accredited medical terminology. Medical Office Assistant experience or training a plus.

Virtual Care Only:

- Must be able to work collaboratively and optimally with patients with serious health conditions and barriers to care. - Must be able to recognize and escalate clinical decision making to appropriate team members of the multidisciplinary team. - Must demonstrate strength in documenting within an electronic health record with ability to effectively problem-solve when faced with decision-making challenges and escalate as appropriate. - Confident with technology, specifically electronic medical record, video encounters and computer applications.

Responsibilities

Proficiently performs patient service activities in coordination with clinical team, including but not limited to:

• Ensures patient and family comfort, safety, privacy and confidentiality at all times.
• Adapts work methods to specifically accommodate the population-specific care needs (physical, psychosocial, cultural, age/developmental) of each patient.
• Greets patients and families making them feel welcome and wanted.
• Keeps patients and families informed of wait times and any other circumstances that may impact the visit.
• Stays cognizant of clinical/area needs to facilitate patient care and flow.
• Assess patient experience at the end of each visit to determine if patient needs were met.
• Proactively outreaches patient utilizing motivational interviewing, demonstrating effective and caring communication to develop patient trust and establish and maintain relationships to gather information, encourage patient self-interest in healthcare, and follow up on patient established goals.
• Assists with the process of internal and external appointments, referrals and information retrieval. Schedules appointments in accordance with clinical team directive and patient desires/availability.
• Performs charge capture and charge reconciliation to ensure encounters are complete and closed in a timely manner.
• Collaborates with multidisciplinary team to improve patient access to care and reduce avoidable organization utilization.
• Documents (paper or electronic) completely, accurately, legibly and timely.
• Ensures applicable documentation is obtained for registration and patient visit. Provides explanation for all requested forms to ensure patient understanding.
• Performs data entry/documentation of patient care intake information.
• Performs data entry/documentation of patient encounter.
• Affords assistance with maintenance of clinic supplies and equipment.
• Assists with stocking and inventory of supplies, as appropriate. Keeps appropriate persons informed of status of supplies and equipment. Completes requisition documentation for supplies, equipment and services, as applicable.
• P Practices patient safety measures and in association with site leadership:
• Complies with proper hand hygiene (hand washing/hand sanitizer gel/foam use).
• Applies or practices proper infection control methods.
• Identifies, corrects and/or reports safety hazards at the time of discovery.
• Identifies and/or facilitates maintenance problems with equipment, initiates requests for work order, and removes from patient care area, as appropriate.
• Informs Environmental Services when additional cleaning activities are needed.
• Elevates critical incidents and information regarding any quality-of-care concerns to multidisciplinary team.
• Participates in performance improvement and quality initiatives.
• Participates in the unit performance improvement initiatives. Meets expected performance quality measures as outlined for area(s) or responsibility.

Job Accountabilities

- Identifies ways to improve work processes and improve customer satisfaction. Makes recommendations to supervisor, implements, and monitors results as appropriate in support of the overall goals of the department and Parkland. - Stays abreast of the latest developments, advancements, and trends in the field by attending seminars/workshops, reading professional journals, actively participating in professional organizations, and/or maintaining certification or licensure. Integrates knowledge gained into current work practices. - Maintains knowledge of applicable rules, regulations, policies, laws and guidelines that impact the area. Develops effective internal controls designed to promote adherence with applicable laws, accreditation agency requirements, and federal, state, and private health plans. Seeks advice and guidance as needed to ensure proper understanding. - Based on operational need, may be required to perform role in an alternate Parkland location.