Patient Care Specialist

PATIENT CARE SPECIALIST (PCS)

Reports to Administrator, Director of Clinical Services, Supervisory Staff to include RN, LPN/LVN, PT, OT. Provides patient care, personal care and household services for the client living in their home. May provide services to clients with complex care needs or patients receiving high technology services (intravenous, tracheotomy and ventilator) with additional and specific training.

Works under the supervision of the agency director, nurse and therapists assigned to the patient according to the patients plan of care.

• Performs all functions outlined in the plan of care
• Assists with daily care and wellness
• Performs or assists patient with bowel/bladder care including use of bedpan, perineal care, catheter care (not inserting or irrigation), colostomy care (not irrigation), bowel/bladder training programs, collection of specimens and recording intake/output
• Assists patients with medications which are normally self-administered. (THE PCS MAY NOT ADMINISTER OR GIVE PATIENT MEDICATIONS).
• Performs or assists with treatment procedures including prevention of decubiti, warm or cool applications, simple unsterile dressing changes and reinforcing other dressings
• Disposal of contaminated supplies
• Electronic Medical Record documentation and records management
• Assists with appointment scheduling
• Assists with nourishment and fluid needs including preparing meals, feeding patient and offering fluids
• Performs household tasks related to patient's medical needs including bed linen changes, patient's laundry, light housekeeping where patient spends majority of time, shopping, errands, etc.
• Assist the client in scheduling tests, procedures, or doctors visits based on provider orders
• Accompanies patient to clinic, physician's office or on other trips needed for treatment according to the POC
• Takes and records temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure and weight according to POC and state regulations
• Observes and report to the nurse or director of clinical services any changes from normal or identified in the POC
• Reinforces teaching of nurse and therapists or teaches household management
  • techniques
• Practices standard precautions
• Maintains timely records of home visits
• Maintains confidentiality and standards of HIPAA
• Attends and participates in appropriate patient care conferences, staff meetings and
  • agency committee meetings
• Attends appropriate education meetings
• Performs other related functions, as required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of Patient Care Specialist principles and procedures
• Working knowledge of possible hazards to clients during treatment and of the necessary precautionary measures
• Skill in assessing client needs accurately
• Knowledge of basic medical terminology
• Following POC to aid the client in meeting goals for rehabilitation
• Knowledge of the concept of team healthcare
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with professional and non- professional staff members, clients, and the general public
• Ability to accept and utilize supervision
• Capacity to recognize the needs and concerns of people and to maintain constructive working relationships in dealing with them
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally, in writing, and following proper telephone etiquette

Requirements

• Successful completion of an approved training course that meets the minimum MI State Training requirements or current enrollment in a higher educational institution with minimum demonstrated competency.
• Preferably nationally recognized certification. Certification may include: Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), Registered Medical Assistant (RMA), and National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA)

• Valid Michigan Driver's License
• Access to a reliable automobile
• Current vehicle insurance/registration for same vehicle
• 6 months of experience in home health is preferred