Patient Care Associate - Schenectady

Planned Parenthood of Greater New York • Schenectady, NY

2d

About The Position

The Patient Care Associate (PCA) works as part of a multidisciplinary medical care team, supporting patient intake at the clinic and front desk. The role includes obtaining and reviewing medical histories, documenting in the electronic health record, providing patient-centered education about sexual and reproductive health, and helping maintain efficient clinic operations. The PCA may support sexual and reproductive health services and abortion care in a variety of functions, as needed.

The position combines front-desk and revenue-cycle work with clinical support. Duties include greeting and registering patients, verifying insurance, managing appointments and phone calls, collecting payments, supporting laboratory activities, maintaining clinic areas and equipment, and assisting with patient flow. The PCA also helps ensure accurate documentation, interpreter access, adherence to clinical and safety protocols, and a respectful, non-judgmental patient experience.

This role operates in a professional office and health center environment, with potential exposure to communicable diseases. Travel to other health centers may be required, including in inclement weather. The schedule may be flexible or extended, including evenings and weekends as operational demands require; peak periods may involve work exceeding 7.5 hours per day or 37.5 hours per week. The posted pay is $23.86 per hour.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Excellent customer-service, communication, interpersonal, oral, and written skills.
• Ability to remain focused and calm in stressful situations and work effectively as part of a team.
• Comfort using electronic health records.
• Keen attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Ability to produce high-quality work in a fast-paced environment with changing or competing priorities.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and independent decision-making.
• Ability to produce reliable, high-quality work with minimal direct supervision.
• Ability to follow HIPAA policies and procedures.
• Ability to work a flexible or extended schedule, including evenings and weekends, as operational demands require.
• Commitment to PPGNY’s mission related to bodily autonomy, health equity, gender and racial justice, and learning about and improving practices related to racial equity in healthcare.
• Ability to build trusting relationships across cultural differences and provide compassionate, non-judgmental, culturally responsive care with accountability to the patient experience.
• Ability to meet required immunization or immunity and tuberculosis-testing requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Valid New York State driver’s license.
• Previous experience working with electronic health records.
• Proficiency in other languages.
• Prior Planned Parenthood employment.
• Prior healthcare employment.
• Previous experience in a high-volume customer-service role.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

Responsibilities

• Monitor health screenings at the front desk; greet patients and visitors, collect demographic and billing information, and verify insurance according to applicable guidelines.
• Update patient demographics in the electronic health record, initiate visit documentation, and obtain required consents and reception forms.
• Manage walk-in clients according to schedule availability; answer and triage patient calls and manage appointments.
• Review schedules and prepare charts for next-day services based on visit type and requested services.
• Process supply requests, collect payments and copayments, reconcile audit reports, and prepare deposits in accordance with organizational policies.
• Screen patients for eligibility for in-state assisted insurance programs and help complete applications when applicable.
• Open and close the front desk area and maintain welcoming, private, and professional waiting and office areas.
• Respond to patient requests, follow safety and security procedures, and support health center productivity, revenue-cycle, professionalism, wait-time, and complaint-resolution goals.
• Review patient health histories for completeness, document findings, and alert the APC to critical information about the chief complaint, present illness, and other patient information.
• Document care accurately in the electronic medical record using the appropriate templates and forms.
• Assess patient flow to help minimize wait times and support center operations, patient service, and compliance with agency and funding-source policies.
• Assist in orienting and training new clinic staff as indicated.
• Accurately document services in the EHR and complete CVR data to support charge capture and financial reporting.
• Arrange access to interpreter services for patients with communication barriers.
• Provide sexual and reproductive health education and care, including accurate, patient-centered, non-judgmental education and informed-consent documentation.
• Perform ordered laboratory tests, complete requisitions, package specimens for transport, and run daily controls according to laboratory procedures.
• Perform clinic opening and closing duties, clean clinic areas and equipment, restock supplies, and report facility or equipment issues.
• Follow laboratory and quality-assurance protocols, use appropriate PPE, and follow infection-control precautions.
• Assist with abortion services as needed, including abortion counseling, the Products of Conception room, infection-prevention float duties, and surgical-room assistance.
• Attend monthly didactics and maintain clinical skills and competencies through required checks and training for new services, tests, and skills.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off and holiday schedule.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage options for employees and eligible dependents.
• Flexible spending account, health savings account, and commuter pre-tax reimbursement funds.
• Short- and long-term disability coverage.
• Free basic life and AD&D coverage.
• 401(k) retirement plan with Safe Harbor contributions after one year of employment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: High school or GED