Allergy Technician - Uptown

Primary Objective

The Allergy Technician serves as the primary clinical support to Allergy patients through the delivery of high quality, safe, effective and compassionate allergy testing, immunotherapy and treatment services.

Essential Functions

• Greet and room patients
• Prepare and administer allergy tests
• Prepare and administer subcutaneous allergy injections
• Monitor patient reactions to current antigen dose(s) and adjust dosing as appropriate
• Mix and prepare doses of allergenic extract for subcutaneous and sublingual immunotherapy treatment
• Document allergy encounters in the EHR system
• Enter charges for allergy testing, injections and vials in the EHR system
• Schedule patient allergy appointments in the EHR system
• Place orders for patient vials in the EHR system in a timely manner
• Perform blood draws for labs and radioallergosorbent (RAST) testing
• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of and ability to identify anaphylactic symptoms
• Execute appropriate, timely emergency care and treatment for adverse and/or anaphylactic reactions
• Communicate financial information about their allergy care from financial agreements to patients
• Explain testing procedures and treatment protocols, train patients on the administration of in-home injections and provide approved educational information to patients and their families
• Triage and respond to patient questions and requests via phone or the EHR messaging system
• Maintain logs of expiration dates for emergency medications and samples
• Create dilutions from concentrates to complete testing
• May administer and read tuberculin skin tests (TST) for CEENTA employees
• May act as a resource and trainer to new employees and other team members
• Maintain applicable work queues in the EHR system
• Index lab reports, procedure and office notes, and outside documentation pertinent to patient care from the document management system to the EHR system

• Work collaboratively with Providers, the Manager, ENT Clinical Services, Operations Managers and the Operations Supervisor, Allergy
• Maintain OSHA standards to ensure a sterilized and safe environment
• Maintain stock of office and clinical supplies and order from appropriate vendor when needed
• Ability to meet the physical and mental demands of the position
• The ability to work on-site
• Predictable, reliable, and prompt attendance

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to maintain a high level of precision in judgment, the accuracy of assessment, and skill in problem-solving under stress
• Ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations
• Ability to adapt to changes in the department
• Ability to read, write and comprehend medical information
• Ability to effectively present information, both verbally and written

Core Competencies

Clinical Knowledge Possesses the appropriate clinical knowledge to provide safe and high-quality care to patients within the applicable scope of practice. This includes accurately recording and communicating patient information to all relevant members of the clinical team.

Patient Focus Making patients and their needs a primary focus of ones actions; developing and sustaining productive patient relationships.

Building Patient Loyalty Effectively meeting patient needs; building productive patient relationships; taking responsibility for patient satisfaction and loyalty.

Communication Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the message.

Energy Consistently maintaining high levels of activity or productivity; sustaining long working hours when necessary; operating with vigor, effectiveness, and determination over extended periods of time.

Attention to Detail Accomplishing tasks by considering all areas involved, no matter how small; showing concern for all aspects of the job; accurately checking processes and tasks; being watchful over a period of time.

Clinical Competencies

• Administering injections
• Drawing blood
• Must be able to correctly measure and mix ingredients
• Annual allergy competencies and other tests as outlined by the USP Chapter 797 Sterile Compounding Criteria

Training Period

• Corporate Epic training
• 6 weeks up to 3 months of on-the-job training with Allergy team
• Check-ins and audits following completion of training

Accountability

Our mission is to be the premier eye, ear, nose, and throat group providing comprehensive, quality, and ethical healthcare to all in the Carolinas; to provide a favorable environment for the delivery of healthcare; and to provide for the wellbeing of the physicians and the employees of Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat Associates, P.A.

The Allergy Technician directly impacts CEENTAs ability to achieve its mission as they play an integral role in patient care delivery by providing high quality, safe, effective and compassionate allergy testing and treatment services to patients.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent required.

Graduate of a medical assisting program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) or successful completion of one of the 3 other approved routes as defined by the American Medical Technologists (https://www.americanmedtech.org/Get-Certified/RMA-Eligibility) or graduate of an accredited program for an equivalent certification preferred.

Experience

• Three or more years of relevant clinical allergy experience preferred.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Current Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) certification from the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) OR Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) certification from American Medical Technologists (AMT) or equivalent certification/licensure required.
• Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Registered Nurse (RN), Pharmacy Tech, Certified Phlebotomist, Associates Degree of Science or Bachelors Degree accepted in lieu of CMA or RMA. Five years of recent allergy experience accepted in lieu of any certifications, licenses or education listed above.
• Current BLS Certification from the American Heart Association or American Red Cross required.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The Allergy Technician functions in a multi-specialty clinic with high patient volume. This role may be exposed to contagious or infectious diseases, and therefore, may be required to wear personal protective equipment at times. This position routinely uses standard medical office equipment as well as standard medical diagnostic and treatment equipment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Supervision

This position reports to the Operations Supervisor, Allergy, with clinical oversight from ENT Provider(s) and administrative direction from Operations Manager(s)/Supervisor(s), as applicable.

The position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position with core hours Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm. Hours are subject to variation based upon clinic needs.

Physical, Mental and Other Requirements

The physical and mental demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands:

• Occasionally assists with moving or position wheelchair bound patients, clinical equipment, up to 300lbs and office supplies up to 35 pounds
• Frequently required to stand; walk; sit in front of a computer; type; perform repetitive mouse clicks; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms to assist patients and/or providers/staff

Mental Demands:

• Ability to problem solve
• Ability to work under pressure or in stressful situations
• Ability to make quick decisions
• Ability to thrive in fast-paced environments and multi-task
• Ability to use discretion and sensitivity

Other Requirements:

• Active & Current Drivers license
• Clean driving record
• Consistent and Reliable Transportation
• Polite and professional disposition

Travel

Travel to applicable CEENTA clinic locations as required.

Other Duties

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. In addition to those essential functions identified above, individuals in this position are also responsible for performing other duties or tasks that may be assigned. CEENTA retains the discretion to add or change the essential job functions of this position at any time without notice.

A Typical Day in the Position

A typical day for the Allergy Technician involves collaborating with and providing clinical support to Providers through the delivery of high quality, safe, effective and compassionate allergy testing and treatment services to CEENTAs patients. The Allergy Technician greets patients with a warm, welcoming smile as they escort them to the allergy testing and treatment area, where they administer allergy tests and treatments. They mix and prepare doses of allergenic extract for subcutaneous and sublingual immunotherapy treatments. They also perform an array of administrative duties, which include ordering supplies, stocking rooms, scheduling appointments, responding to patient questions and requests, indexing faxes and other documents, and monitoring work queues in the EHR system.