Clinical Assistant Lead

The Clinical Assistant is responsible for direct care provided to patients and for contributing to efficient operations in the patient care environment. Direct patient care activities include, but are not limited to, obtaining vital signs, drawing and collecting blood samples and assisting nursing/medical staff in performing invasive procedures, such as bone marrow aspirates. Indirect patient care activities include those that support clinic operations such as ordering and stocking clinical supplies and patient education materials, transporting patients and specimens as needed, and monitoring the environment of care.

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS, and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensures proper patient identification and maintains patient safety, privacy, confidentiality and follows guidelines under HIPAA.
• Obtains and records vital signs, pain screens, weights and heights accurately into Electronic Medical Records (EMR). Reports changes and/or abnormalities in vital signs; findings that are outside of defined parameters; and changes in patient?s conditions to the nursing/medical staff in a timely manner.
• Obtains specimens (urine, stool, sputum, etc.) and ensures accurate labeling in presence of patient. Instructs patients/family members in collecting specimens.
• Performs phlebotomy and EKG as applicable and is competent in the two patient identifier practice.
• May precept with specific training.
• Assists with disease center specific procedural needs as applicable.
• Transports patients, medical records, specimens, blood components, equipment and supplies in accordance with Institute policy.
• Ensures that all patients on schedule are accounted for and communicate with providers/patients and colleagues as to approximate wait times.
• May be required to assist with research specific patient data entry as required.
• Assures that all clinical areas have an adequate stock of medical supplies, equipment, and forms.
• Assist with medical record preparation.
• Properly cleans and maintains equipment and patient care environment.
• Maintains a working knowledge of current computer systems used in clinical areas.
• Understands and utilizes the telephone/pager systems, including text paging staff, call system and emergency response system.
• Provides proactive instruction and time expectations to patient and family.
• Communicates patient and family status difficulties and concerns to appropriate staff.
• Attends mandatory training and education sessions, completes mandatory annual competency assessments and follows Institute policies.
• Accepts additional responsibilities based on the changing needs of patients, families, staff and unit.
• Lead is responsible for overall patient flow in collaboration with nursing leadership.  Adjusts staff assignments to meet volume fluctuations across the entire department.   Duties may include:
• Precepts new hires when applicable and informs managers of training needs. Makes recommendations for ongoing education.
• Functions as a task expert and models active participation in quality improvement/process improvement initiatives and projects.
• Possesses a level of independence requiring knowledge of multiple disease specific programs.
• Develops strong relationships with providers and communicates effectively with team.
• Participates in QI audits as directed.
• Obtains and orders supplies and equipment when needed.
• May be required to lead topics at staff meetings.
• Acts independently to determine methods and procedures on new or special assignments and may function in a supervisory role in providing workflow direction to Clinical Assistants.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent organizational, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work as an effective member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to function in a busy work setting with patients with complex needs.
• Demonstrates proficiency in technical skills.
• Demonstrates respectful and courteous behavior toward peers, co-workers, visitors and management.
• Demonstrated expertise as procedural duties for assigned area as well as the skill to critical think of how procedural flow impacts operations.
• Demonstrated independent clinical skills and judgment.
• Exceptional customer service skills.
• Exhibits the core values of the Institute: Impact, Excellence, Compassion and Respect and Discovery.

Minimum Job Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required; college coursework preferred.
• Clinical Qualification:
• Completion of an accredited Medical Assistant Program inclusive of an externship; or
• 1 year of experience in a Medical Assistant, Clinical Assistant, Certified Nursing Assistant or related clinical role (i.e. Emergency Medical Technician, Clinical role with military environment or Emergency department technician experience).
• In some cases, Nurse Students in an accredited Bachelor?s program with at least 2 completed clinical rotations may be considered.
• Phlebotomy certification may be preferred based on location (Yawkey 2, Satellites).
• Applies Institute policies and procedures to resolve routine issues.  Works on problems of limited scope.  Builds stable working relationships internally.
• 3 years of equivalent experience in a medical setting.
• Having wide-ranging experience, uses technical concepts and Institute objectives to resolve complex issues in creative and effective ways. Works on complex issues where analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth evaluation of variable factors.  Exercises judgment in selecting methods, techniques and evaluation criteria for obtaining results.  Networks with key contacts outside own area of expertise.
• BLS Certification required within 60 days of hire.

License/Certification/Registration Required: None

Supervisory Responsibilities: Acts independently to determine methods and procedures on new or special assignments and may function in a supervisory role in providing workflow direction to Clinical Assistants.

Patient Contact: Yes, all ages.