Patient Assistant - Oncology

Job Title:  Patient Assistant - Oncology

FLSA Status:  Non -Exempt

About us

Physicians East, P.A.is a team of skilled healthcare professionals united to meet the challenge of delivering quality, cost-efficient, comprehensive healthcare to the people of Eastern North Carolina.

Location & commitments

PT role based at our Greenville location, Oncology Department, Hours vary M-F, 9:30-2:30.  Additional hours may be required to meet the needs of the business.

Supervision Received: Reports to the QMS Operations Supervisor and works closely with the area Resource Coordinator.

Supervision Exercised:  None.

Typical Physical Demands:

Requires full range of body motion including handling and assisting patients, manual and finger dexterity, and eye-hand coordination.  Involves standing and walking.  Occasionally lifts and carries items weighing up to 25 pounds.  Requires normal visual acuity and hearing. 

Typical Working Conditions:

Work is performed in an office environment.  This position involves frequent contact with staff, patients, and the public.

About the role

The Patient Assistant welcomes and assists patients, their families and visitors entering the practice by answering questions, providing information, and directing people to the department location they need.  In addition to directing patient and visitor traffic and managing ingress/egress, the Greeter helps them find a particular service or unit thus creating an atmosphere in the practice that is caring, yet efficient.

Responsibilities:

• Provides directions to help patients and visitors locate their desired department/physician.
• Aids patients and visitors by obtaining wheelchairs, or other services as needed. Escorts or transports patients who need help to their destination within the practice.
• Answers general questions about the practice and its services.
• Create a positive first impression for visitors by maintaining a clean work environment and wearing appropriate clothing to include identification badge. Assist in assuring that the front-end appearance of the practice is always clean and welcoming. Make sure that appropriate assists devices (e.g., wheelchairs) are readily available for arriving patients.
• Provides brochures, or other printed materials regarding services, as appropriate.
• Assists patients with wheelchairs, opening car doors, and other help as appropriate, to facilitate safe patient entry into the facility.
• Assists patients entering or exiting vehicles. Assists patients in calling for a Cab as needed.
• Notifies appropriate leadership of any unusual or uncomfortable situation occurring in the reception, lobby or waiting areas.
• Maintain confidentiality of patients, visitors, staff, and guests.
• Maintains a "team approach" with staff and patients.
• Perform other related tasks and projects as assigned by QMS Operations Supervisor. May assist with other administrative duties such as mail distribution.

Direct Oncology interaction:

• Stocking a snack cart and offering snacks to chemo patients.
• Ordering lunch for chemo patients, and delivering to the chair side
• Comfort care or communicating with staff the needs of the patients.
• Other duties may include assisting with magazines/books/iPads, playing cards or games to occupy the time.
• Strict confidentiality required.

Candidate requirements:

• One year of experience in customer service, preferably in the healthcare industry; or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Able to tolerate prolonged walking and standing.
• Must be able to work unsupervised, multi-task and relate tactfully to patients, their family and/or friends, as well as to the medical staff.
• Strong understanding of customer service principles.

• Personal presence, which is characterized by a sense of honesty, integrity and caring with the ability to inspire and motivate others to promote the philosophy, mission, vision, goals and values of Physicians East, P.A.
• Compassion for patients, family members, and others; along with a nurturing spirit to provide care during emotionally stressful situations.
• Good written and oral English language skills.  Ability to communicate with patients, families, staff, physicians, and others cordially and professionally. Ability to follow directions.
• Ability to exhibit professionalism and composure in stressful circumstances.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Ability to form positive and collaborative relationships with all levels in the organization.
• This position requires strong organizational and excellent communication skills as well as being highly motivated and detail oriented.
• Must have a strong sense of team commitment, which includes punctuality and excellent follow-through and feedback.
• Planning/organizing—the individual prioritizes and plans work activities and uses time efficiently.
• Problem solving—the individual identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner.
• Adaptability—the individual adapts to changes in the work environment, manages competing demands, and can deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Dependability—the individual is consistently at work and on time, follows instructions, responds to management direction, and solicits feedback to improve performance.
• Safety and security—the individual observes safety and security procedures and uses equipment and materials properly.

Affirmative Action/EEO statement

Physicians East, P.A.is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, religion, creed, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity, which includes status as a transgender individual), national origin or ancestry, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information (including family medical history), physical or mental disability, or other legally protected status. Reasonable accommodation will be made for persons with disabilities during the application process and/or at the time of employment. Requests for accommodation should be made to the Human Resources Department as early as possible in the application/employment process. Contact HR Office at 252-413-6368 or email careers@physicianseast.com

Disclaimer

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Signatures

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Manager_____________________________________ Date ____________

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Employee signature below indicates the employee's understanding of the requirements, essential functions, and duties of the position.

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