Patient Specialist - Hickory, APS (1099 Contractor, Per Diem/On Call)

Kestra Medical Technologies•Hickory, NC

About The Position

The ASSURE Patient Specialist (APS) conducts patient fitting activities in support of the sales organization and Regional Clinical Advisors, serving as a local patient-care representative. This is a paid per-fitting contractor position in Hickory, North Carolina. The APS is trained and certified by Kestra to fit and train patients to use a wearable defibrillator, with assignments dispatched from corporate headquarters. The role involves scheduling services with prescribers, caregivers, and patients; traveling to hospitals, homes, and other healthcare facilities; measuring patients for the correct garment size; reviewing and transmitting required paperwork; and managing fitting kits, garments, and electronic equipment. The position requires flexibility to accept assignments during daytime, evening, and weekend hours, and adherence to strict patient-confidentiality requirements. Work conditions vary during travel and may include hospital and clinic settings, potential exposure to infectious disease, and extended hours when needed. The role requires frequent regional travel by car, prolonged periods standing or sitting, frequent computer and phone use, occasional bending and stooping, and the ability to lift up to 40 pounds unassisted.

Requirements

At least 1 year of paid patient-care experience; experience as a family caregiver does not qualify.
Clinical or engineering background, which may include nursing, cardiac-device sales, clinical engineering, catheterization-lab technology, physician-assistant work, or ECG technology.
Experience educating patients and/or clinicians.
Disclose a personal NPI number, if applicable.
Complete a background check; Florida and Ohio contractors must complete a Level 2 screening paid for by Kestra.
Be able to pay vendor-credentialing costs upfront during a 90-day probationary period.
Hold a valid driver’s license in the state of residence and have a good driving record.
Be able to work consistently in the field throughout the region.
Disclose potential relationships and referral sources.
Meet hospital-entry credentialing requirements, including vaccination and immunization documentation, background check, drug screening, review and agreement to hospital policies and procedures, and completion of online courses such as HIPAA, Bloodborne Pathogens, and Electrical/Fire Safety.
Be able to travel by car and lift up to 40 pounds unassisted.
Demonstrate strong patient-care skills, interpersonal and communication skills, and the ability to assist clinicians in providing patient care.
Be highly organized, service-oriented, and detail-oriented.
Show a strong desire to make a difference in the heart-failure space and an interest in lifelong learning.
Demonstrate the stated competencies: passion, integrity, collaboration and teamwork, action and results, innovation, customer focus, and emotional intelligence.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of Microsoft Office, Excel, PowerPoint, and Microsoft Teams.
Direct cardiac patient-care experience, such as RN, RT, CVIS, paramedic, or CRM experience.

Responsibilities

Fit and train local patients to use the ASSURE wearable defibrillator through assignments dispatched from corporate headquarters.
Provide patient instruction and help patients feel confident using the device.
Contact prescribers, caregivers, and patients to schedule services.
Travel to hospitals, patients’ homes, and other healthcare facilities to provide fitting services.
Measure patients to determine the correct garment size.
Review and transmit essential paperwork for patients to receive the ASSURE garment and services.
Manage inventory of ASSURE system kits, garments, and electronic equipment used in fittings.
Maintain patient confidentiality and follow the company’s Pledge of Confidentiality.
Complete assignments that may require daytime, evening, or weekend availability.
Travel frequently by car within the agreed-upon region.