Clinical Assistant - Friendship Heights Center Staff

Acts as first point of contact for Kaiser Permanente members/patients within the Friendship Heights Center and is expected to model all KP Service Standards, in order to provide a simple and memorable member experience. Provides cross-functional support to include core reception, member experience, Clinical Assistant (CA) duties and blood draw in coordinated, team-based, flexible delivery setting. Position will be able to proactively respond and transition to multiple cross-functional duties throughout the day to adapt to fluctuations in patient volume, staffing, and operational needs.

• Clinical Assistant Responsibilities:
• Assists the physician in providing comprehensive medical care to targeted patient population in the ambulatory clinic setting by:
• Preparing the patient for the medical examination.
• Performing rooming-in and screening activities appropriate to patient population.
• Performing assigned clinical tasks, treatments, and/or procedures.
• Set up patient for virtual visit in clinic.
• Turnover room following patient visit.
• Serve as chaperone for exams if requested by patient.
• Assisting with scheduling follow-up appointments and activities as recommended by the physician.
• Performs clinical tasks and/or procedures appropriate to targeted patient population under the delegation and supervision of a licensed physician.
• Immediately notifies physician of patients observed to be in distress.
• Documents all care given and actions taken on behalf of the patient in KP HealthConnect.
• Facilitates smooth and efficient operation of the clinical department by monitoring the flow of patients and intervening as appropriate to minimize wait times and promote a positive experience for the patient.
• Assists with inventory and requisition of required supplies; always keeps exam and procedure rooms adequately stocked and clean.
• Monitor and manage refrigerated medications under the supervision of the practicing physician.
• Serves and protects the practice by adhering to professional standards; facility policies and procedures; and federal, state, and local requirements.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Phlebotomy and Lab Responsibilities:
• Collects blood samples from all patient/member populations members using age-appropriate venipuncture or capillary puncture and following KP policies.
• Instructs patients regarding the collection and packaging of other specimens such as urine, semen, feces and timed collections.
• Assesses specimen integrity and prepares, packages and arranges for transport of specimens in accordance with KPMAS laboratory procedures and DOT regulations. Arranges for special transport when necessary. Processes specimens to include racking, creating work lists and loading instruments.
• Collect and pick up specimens from clinical departments and transport stat specimens to stat lab testing area following designated workflows and appropriate KP policies.
• Packages specimens for transport and tracks specimens to the final destination in accordance with KPMAS laboratory policies/procedures and/or regulations. Arranges for special transport when necessary.
• Disposes of biological waste, needles, and related hazardous materials according to laboratory safety and infection control practices, federal, state and local laws and regulations.
• Responds to internal and external inquiries via phone, email or text to ensure resolution and customer satisfaction.
• Provides orientation and practical training of new hires and students
• Follows defined laboratory procedures and maintains awareness of changes to procedures.
• Maintain a clean, adequately stocked and safe work environment.
• Performs clerical duties and other duties as assigned.
• Reception:
• Serves as ambassadors for Kaiser Permanente by exhibiting respectful, professional, courteous and friendly behavior towards and around our patients and members and supporting the member/patient experience by welcoming and greeting members/patients appropriately with a smile.
• Assist members/patients and visitors with wayfinding along with environment monitoring of member/patient areas including lobbies, kiosks, and waiting areas; this includes escorting members/patients to their destination when possible and providing wheelchair assistance under established guidelines.
• Register members/patients in the appropriate KP health information systems to include verifying eligibility, updating demographic information, identifying FYIs and special needs, coordinating appropriate assistance,creating new accounts (e.g. registering members for SMS text,  Show Contact Details , etc) as needed.
• Generate, distribute, and assist member/patient with completion of encounter related forms (ex: printing and distribution of armbands, pre-visit paperwork, etc.)
• Maintains an active awareness waiting members status by frequently surveying the waiting area and observing their general disposition. Anticipates conflicts/delays in schedules and effectively communicates with member and appropriate staff. Pro-actively keeps members aware of unusual circumstances that may impact their wait time, keeping them constantly informed.
• Demonstrates critical thinking and problem solving during challenging patient interactions and situations. Ability to recognize and to follow appropriate procedures for medical and non-medical emergencies.
• Perform intake, routing, and/or processing of member requests for information (ex: Release of Information or form completion as appropriate).
• Schedule follow up appointments and provide pre-appointment instructions as necessary; when appropriate, provides information and has expert knowledge of Kaiser Permanente and its health plan portfolio, services and business cycle (i.e. explain specific member benefits, identify clinic locations and services offered, and clarify Kaiser Permanente processes)
• Perform member outreach (e.g. appointment reminders, proactive care reminders, missed appointments, etc.)
• Orders and maintains supplies for the registration area(s)in conjunction with materials management, as applicable
• Facilitates smooth and efficient operation of the clinical department by monitoring the flow of patients and intervening as appropriate to minimize wait times and promote a positive experience for the patient
• Meet and/or exceeds regional and departmental performance standards
• Monitor and maintain waiting area and shared clinic area cleanliness.
• Maintain dry surfaces, small trash removal and address accidents in timely fashion as needed.
• Cleans, organizes, and st