Office Patient Assistant

Overview

Purpose and scope: Ensures appropriate provision of outpatient dialysis services and treatments within assigned hospitals/facilities by coordinating scheduling and directing outpatient care staff and by performing dialysis treatments as needed. Ensures the provision of quality outpatient care to all hospitalized patients in the most efficient manner in accordance with company policy as well as regulations set forth by the company state and federal agencies.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and schedule direct patient care staff to provide coverage of outpatient dialysis treatments in contracted hospitals/facilities and ensure efficient patient scheduling and staff utilization.
  
• Ensure all outpatient treatments are performed in contracted hospitals/facilities according to the established policies and procedures and in compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements and ensure accurate documentation of information related to patient treatment(s).
  
• Provide day to day guidance support and direction to outpatient care staff. Collaborates with Director of Ops and the Clinical Manager by providing informal feedback on an ongoing basis and formal feedback input for the annual performance evaluation if applicable. Collaborates with Clinical Management regarding the department staffing and the appropriate hiring firing and disciplinary actions.
  
• Ensure provision of dialysis related services such as Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT), hemoperfusion, peritoneal dialysis and plasmapheresis as contracted.
  
• Acquire information in the latest developments of dialysis techniques (and dialysis related services if applicable) by participating in all scheduled in-service classes.
  
• Collaborates in the development, implementation and maintenance of a Quality Assessment and Improvement (QAI) Program to ensure the provision of quality patient care and compliance with all Joint Commission requirements. Maintain documentation of all activities. Inform Director Operations/Area Manager/Clinical Manager of progress made in aspects of Outpatient Care Program.
  
• Participate in QAI meetings on a monthly and quarterly basis to assure proper reporting of outpatient QAI activities.
  
• Collaborates with Clinical Manager by conducting and documenting Outpatient staff meetings on a regular basis if appropriate.
  
• Ensure a proper orientation and training program for all Outpatient staff. Ensure that continuing in-service is provided to all clinical and technical staff. Maintain documentation of all training.
  
• Assess daily patient care needs and communicate concerns to attending physician. Implement changes in patient care/treatment as directed.
  
• Perform outpatient treatments according to Direct Patient Care Staffing Ratio and oversee all dialysis related medical and emergency functions.
  
• Communicates with the physician and other members of the healthcare team to interpret, adjust and complete patient care plans.
  
• Monitors patient's condition with regards to problems and potential complications associated with dialysis.
  
• Administer medications to patients per physician's orders.
  
• Act as the subject matter expert and as a resource for staff members.
  
• Technical: Coordinate with appropriate technical staff to ensure preventative maintenance program for routine machine maintenance to ensure the timely repair of disabled machines; coordinate infection control measures, routine water culturing, water testing, logging of results, transportation of equipment and supplies, and communicate technical information to the staff.
  
• Ensure efficient utilization of supplies and equipment.
  
• When necessary operate all dialysis related and emergency equipment safely and efficiently.
  
• Administration: Serve as liaison between the Clinical Manager and The Director of Operations and the staff of each facility.
  
• Collaborate with DO/AM and Market Development Group to enhance outpatient programs.
  
• Oversee all business office activities inclusive of treatment billing, payroll and purchase orders.
  
• Assure that all acute treatment logs are sent to the hospital/facility business office and the RRI Billing Group in a timely manner.
  
• Submit required monthly reports to the DO/AM Acute Care Manager or Clinical Manager on a timely basis.
  
• Must communicate between facility and RRI personnel.
  
• Practice cost containment strategies in all areas including medical supply inventory and personnel.
  
• Other duties as assigned.
  

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Employees are required to take the Ishihara's Color Blindness test as a condition of employment. Note that: Failing the Ishihara Test for Color Blindness does not preclude employment. The Company will consider whether reasonable accommodations can be made.
  

Day to day work includes desk and personal computer work and interaction with patients, facility staff and physicians. The position requires travel between assigned facilities and various locations within the community. Travel to regional Business Unit and Corporate meetings may be required.

The work environment is characteristic of a health care facility with air temperature control and moderate noise levels. Could possibly be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases/materials.

Education

Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing (R.N.)

Experience and Required Skills

• Minimum of 9 months nursing experience plus 3 months of specialized experience providing clinical nursing care to dialysis patients in an acute or chronic setting required.
  
• 6 months dialysis experience in an acute setting preferred
  
• Minimum of 1 year medical-surgical or ICU-CCU nursing experience preferred
  
• Peritoneal dialysis experience required where program exists
  
• Demonstrated leadership competencies and skills for the position including continuous quality improvement, relationship development, results orientation, team building, motivating employees, performance management and decision making.
  
• Demonstrated management skills necessary to provide leadership in the supervision of dialysis personnel and to ensure the delivery of maximum quality care to all patients.
  
• Excellent communication (written and verbal) and customer service skills.
  

Relationships

• Internal Contacts: Outpatient care staff, RRI facility physicians, hospital/facility personnel, Director Operations/Area Manager, Technical Staff and corporate management.
  
• External Contacts: Administrative personnel at contracted and affiliated hospitals/facilities; outside vendors; other external agencies/providers as appropriate.
  

Supervision

In Direct Outpatient patient care including PCTS Biomedical personnel and other direct care nursing personnel.

EO/AA Employer: Minorities/Females/Veterans/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity

Fresenius Medical Care North America maintains a drug-free workplace in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.

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