Patient Support Specialist

Orchid Health • Elmira, OR

6d • $20 - $22 • Onsite

About The Position

Orchid Health is hiring a Patient Support Specialist for its Fern Ridge Clinic in Elmira, Oregon. The role supports a patient-centered community healthcare model built around trusting relationships, employee well-being, community health, and health equity. The clinic serves the Fern Ridge area, including Veneta, Elmira, Crow, Noti, Vaughn, and Walton. The schedule is 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The Patient Support Specialist helps prepare for and support patients’ clinic visits, provides welcoming front-desk service, handles calls and scheduling, processes patient paperwork and incoming faxes, and responds appropriately to healthcare crises. The position also supports community outreach and clinic presentation, maintains patient confidentiality and professional boundaries, and helps keep the waiting room clean and welcoming. Orchid Health uses a self-management approach in which teams share day-to-day responsibilities, make decisions collaboratively, and receive support from peers and coaches.

Compensation is $20.00–$21.75 per hour, depending on experience and skills, with a $1.00-per-hour increase at 120 days. Benefits eligibility begins on the first of the month following 30 days of employment. Offers are contingent on successful completion of a background check and drug screening.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED certificate.
• Ask questions, accept constructive feedback, and work toward professional and personal growth.
• Show compassion when dealing with patients.
• Refrain from discussing personal political and religious views in the workplace.
• Support team members and recognize them when they go above and beyond.
• Understand and uphold job expectations and Commitment to Coworkers agreements, including treating staff with respect and professionalism.
• Complete a background check and drug screening as a condition of employment.
• Ability to talk and hear; use hands and fingers to operate a computer, telephone, and keyboard; and perform intermittent standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, reaching, crouching, and lifting or supporting patients.
• Ability to perform light to moderate lifting; computer work is required for in-clinic positions.

Nice To Haves

• At least one year of medical office experience.
• Working knowledge of Athena.
• English-Spanish bilingual ability.

Responsibilities

• Prepare for the day’s patients by verifying insurance, checking for missing information, and preparing documents before opening to streamline check-in.
• Warmly and professionally greet patients checking in for appointments.
• Collect and record patient intake paperwork and copays.
• Answer phone calls, schedule appointments, answer patient questions, and identify when patients should discuss questions with a medical professional.
• Route incoming faxes to appropriate staff and/or upload documents to patients’ electronic health records.
• Respond calmly and professionally as the first point of interaction during healthcare crises, involving supervisors and healthcare staff as needed.
• Participate in community events, promotional efforts, and healthcare activities.
• Present the clinic positively to community members.
• Maintain professional boundaries in the community, particularly regarding PHI, HIPAA, and other sensitive information.
• Clean the waiting room nightly and keep it presentable and stocked with items such as coffee, water, cups, tissues, business cards, stickers, and magnets.
• Travel primarily locally during the business day, with occasional out-of-area travel possible for CME events or activities involving other Orchid Health clinics.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage; Orchid pays 100% of monthly premiums for team members and at least 50% for dependents on base medical and dental plans.
• $1,000 annual wellness benefit.
• 401(k) with company match, plus financial planning and wellness resources at no cost.
• Continuing education/continuing medical education budget for all team members.
• Employee Assistance Program offering mental health support, financial planning, and lifestyle training at no cost to employees.
• 128 hours of paid time off per year, front-loaded annually, with tenure-based increases.
• 40 hours of paid inclement weather and emergency closure leave per year, front-loaded annually.
• Eight paid holidays, plus the employee’s birthday off.
• Free care at Orchid Health clinics for team members and their families.

What This Job Offers

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