"Health Assistant II"

Job Description

The Health Assistant II provides outstanding healthcare and patient service. Serves as the primary contact with patients including, greeting patients on the phone and in person, routing messages, making appointments, collecting co-pays, registering patients, and managing patient flow. Administrative duties also include maintaining the referral database, assisting with correspondence, developing and printing reports, and maintaining files. Clinical duties include assisting with specimen collection and readying examination rooms, assisting clinicians in carrying out tests, and providing support and instructions to patients. Performs other related duties as required.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Administrative:

• Follows standard work when opening and closing the clinic.
• Collects and records payments for insurance co-payments.
• Efficiently books appointments utilizing all functions of the appointment system.
• Knows which questions to ask to appropriately book appointments for a multitude of specialties.
• Understands the insurance limitations and refers patients to member services for accurate information.
• Manages emergency phone calls according to protocol.
• Maintains current Heart Saver certification.
• Knows which questions to ask to successfully transfer calls, interrupt the physician, or take a message.
• Use proper phone etiquette to avoid blind transfers to others.
• Assists patients in making appointments for testing done outside HUHS.
• Accurately assesses, sorts, and distributes lab results to clinicians.
• Maintains patient privacy, confidentiality, and a safe patient environment.
• Properly handles patient requests for medical record and x-ray information.

Clinical:

• Handles specimens correctly using two patient identifiers and assures proper labeling of specimens.
• Understands principles of infection control and maintains universal precautions at all times.
• Utilizes full knowledge of instrument handling, cleaning, and sterilization.
• Assists during minor surgeries in surgical specialties, dermatology, urology, and OB/GYN.
• Assists clinicians during patient exams by helping patients prepare for their examination, chaperoning, and assisting when necessary.
• Maintains exam room supplies assuring expiration dates are monitored, and supply is adequate.
• Demonstrates proper technique and adherence to safety protocols when performing venipuncture for blood collection, ensuring patient comfort and accurate specimen labeling.

Competencies:

• Demonstrates the ability to obtain and document accurate vital signs including temperature, blood pressure, pulse and respiratory rate.
• As requested accurately performs and documents postural vital signs.
• Accurately performs and documents visual acuity testing.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skill necessary to perform waived testing. Demonstrates the ability to fit patients with canes or crutches and instruct them in the correct use of these devices.
• Demonstrates the ability to set up an oxygen delivery system.
• Demonstrates the ability to set up nebulizer equipment.
• Demonstrates the ability to perform and document pulse oximetry.
• Demonstrates the ability to recognize a negative PPD skin test result.
• Demonstrates proper technique and adherence to safety protocols when performing venipuncture for blood collection.

Age-Specific Competencies:

Provides care to the adolescent through utilization of the following: Supplements explanations with reasons for “why?”, Encourages questions regarding fears, Allows adolescent maintain control, Realizes there may be resistance, Provides privacy. Provides care to the adult patient through utilization of the following: Recognizes anxiety regarding potential chances in lifestyle resulting from illness, Provides education based on learning needs. Provides care to the geriatric patient through utilization of the following when appropriate: Speaks distinctly due to loss of ability to discriminate sounds, Slows pace of explanation due to slowed cognitive functioning, Focuses objectives directly in line of vision due to decreased visual acuity, Maintains a safe environment based upon physical and psychological functions.

Compliance:

Adheres to the expectations and professional responsibilities of the department, Employs the standards, practices, and procedures of the department, Completes and complies with HUHS training requirements including HIPAA Privacy and Security, Reports non-compliance incidents to the supervisor, manager, and/or Compliance Officer.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Graduate of medical assistant program
• Two years of patient service experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Administrative experience in a healthcare environment
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills
• Good judgment, ability to identify and set priorities, multi-task, and work well with deadlines
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion
• Willingness to learn new skills and to work as part of a team in a changing environment
• Bilingual skills preferred

Additional Information

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 32.5 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Criminal, Identity, Healthcare Sanctions Level 3
• Other Information: Schedule for this position is: Mon 11:15am - 5:30pm; Tue 8am - 5:30pm; Wed 8am - 5:30pm; Thur FLEX; Fri 8am - 5:30pm
• Work Format Details: This position is based on-site at a Harvard campus location