Patient Care Associate - Poughkeepsie

Planned Parenthood of Greater New York • Poughkeepsie, NY

10d

About The Position

The Patient Care Associate (PCA) is part of a multidisciplinary team providing medical care. The role supports patient intake and front-desk operations, obtains and documents medical history, provides patient education related to sexual and reproductive health, and assists with clinical services, laboratory work, and abortion services as needed. The PCA helps maintain efficient patient flow, accurate electronic health records and billing documentation, and compliance with organizational, clinical, laboratory, and safety policies.

The position operates in a professional office and health-center environment, with possible exposure to communicable diseases. Travel to other health centers may be required, including in inclement weather. The schedule is flexible and may include evenings and weekends; during peak activity periods, work may exceed 7.5 hours per day or 37.5 hours per week. The role requires proof of immunization or immunity to certain communicable diseases and tuberculosis testing.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Excellent customer-service and communication skills, including strong interpersonal, verbal, oral, and written communication abilities.
• Ability to remain focused and calm in stressful situations and work effectively as part of a team.
• High degree of comfort using electronic health records.
• Keen attention to detail and excellent 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 justice, and racial justice, and to learning about racial equity and its effects on healthcare systems.
• Ability to build trusting relationships and communicate across cultural differences, and to reflect on personal identity with humility.
• Ability to provide compassionate, non-judgmental, culturally responsive care and demonstrate accountability to the patient experience.
• Ability to meet the physical demands of the role, including prolonged sitting and computer work; frequent standing, walking, and bending; walking stairs; lifting or moving patients, supplies, or equipment; and reaching, grasping, pushing, and pulling.
• Ability to hear and communicate orally and to perform frequent computer-screen and printed-material review.
• Proof of immunization or immunity to certain communicable diseases, including influenza during flu season and COVID-19, and tuberculosis testing.

Nice To Haves

• Valid State of New York driver’s license.
• Previous experience working with electronic health records.
• Proficiency in other languages.
• Prior Planned Parenthood employment.
• Prior health-care 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; verify insurance; update patient demographics in the electronic health record; initiate visit records; obtain required consent and reception forms; and manage walk-in clients based on schedule availability.
• Answer and triage patient calls, manage appointments, review schedules, and prepare charts for next-day services.
• Process supply requests and payments, collect co-pays, reconcile audit reports, prepare deposits, and screen patients for eligibility for in-state assisted insurance programs while helping with 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, contribute to productivity and revenue-cycle goals, and follow policies for professionalism, wait times, and addressing client complaints.
• Review patient health histories for completeness, record findings, and alert the APC to critical information about the patient’s complaint, history, and other relevant details.
• Document care using the appropriate electronic health record templates and forms; accurately complete charge-capture and CVR documentation for medical and counseling services.
• Support efficient health-center operations and patient flow, excellent service, compliance with agency and funding-source requirements, and reduced patient wait times.
• Assist with orientation and training of new clinic staff as indicated and ensure interpreter services are accessible to patients with communication barriers.
• Provide sexual and reproductive health education and care, using accurate, patient-centered, non-judgmental education according to MS&G and obtaining informed consent related to the visit.
• Perform ordered laboratory tests, complete requisitions, package specimens for transport, run daily controls, and follow laboratory and quality-assurance procedures, PPE requirements, and infection-control precautions.
• Perform clinic opening and closing duties, clean clinic areas and equipment, restock supplies, and report facility or equipment issues.
• 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 required by PPGNY, PPFA, and the New York State Department of Health; participate in annual competency 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 (FSA), Health Savings Account (HSA), 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
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED