Public Health Technician

BLOODBORNE PATHOGEN RISK: Yes 
  
Ensures smooth clinic operations by registering and scheduling clients in EMR and by performing activities such as answering telephones, utilizing multiple computer systems, performing routine health tests, and lab procedures including the proper handling of lab specimens. Provides community health information, education and referrals to local resources/agencies, medical, mental and dental health care. The ability to interact and work well with a variety of people is essential, as is the ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously all while providing excellent customer service.
 
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Welcomes and receives clients, gathers demographic information, assists client with completion of various forms and applications.
• Understands the importance of client confidentiality and follows agency policies relating to HIPAA and confidentiality. 
• Provides outreach, education and referrals to clients through consultation and written materials and facilitates connection to internal and external health and community resources.
• Perform a variety of clerical duties including computer data entry, record keeping, account keeping, filing, copying, answering phones, and providing counter assistance.
• Performs lab procedures which may include urinalysis, hemoglobin, blood lead screening, pregnancy tests, cholesterol/glucose tests, height, weight, head circumference and accurately documents data in client chart.
• To provide support and assurance to Vaccines for Children (VFC) providers regarding immunizations and other aspects of biologic inventory.
• Perform lab calibrations/controls on lab equipment in accordance with CLIA guidelines.
• Participate in team meetings and workshops to update knowledge and skills related to program requirements, and participate in Quality Assurance activities.
• Support other staff members as workloads, temporary absences and emergencies occur.
• Perform multi-tasking duties as needed for efficient information management and positive client service.
• Prepares professional correspondence according to division format.
• Answer phone and other inquiries requiring knowledge of program and departmental rules and regulations.
• Reconciles services provided by staff within time frames and guidelines established by SCCHD finance and Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH).
• Collects payment and data enters payment to the appropriate account, balances cash reports, prepares deposit summaries and makes deposit to finance office.
• Utilizes multiple computer systems for appointment scheduling, program data entry, record maintenance, etc., including MCIR, MI-WIC, Insight, Healthy Kids/Plan First application program, Medicaid and other insurance status programs. 
• Maintain program policy and procedure manual, create and maintain program forms, compute charges and generate receipts.
• In conjunction with other professional team members schedules client appointments for clinics, home visits or office visits. Make appointments, appointment reminders and follow-up of appointment cancellations.
• Understands the importance of client confidentiality and follows agency policies relating to HIPAA and confidentiality.
• Mandatory participation in orientation and training for basic public health emergency preparedness and response concepts.
• Other duties as assigned.

 
SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Work is performed under the direction of the applicable division head. Direct supervision by a Public Health Nursing or applicable Supervisor.
 
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
N/A
 
EXPERIENCE, SKILLS, EDUCATION:

• Graduation from an accredited high school or GED supplemented by knowledge normally acquired from specialized trainings such as that acquired in approximately one year of college, technical, vocational, trade, or business school.
• Certification as a Medical Assistant and Associate Degree preferred.
• A minimum of one year experience performing clinical/technical duties in a medical office/clinical setting required. 
• Significant knowledge of current office practices and procedures with experience in Electronic Medical Record systems.
• Proven medical terminology.
• Proven ability to work effectively and courteously with other employees and the public including small children.
• Writing, reading, mathematical principles; proficient computer skills-Microsoft Office Suite, Outlook; exercise sound judgment and decision making in accordance with policies and procedures; ability to research and problem solve independently; knowledge of County operations and functions; ability to prioritize and time manage; handle stressful situations, provide effective and friendly customer service; support the County's mission and values; ability to think critically where necessary.            
• Knowledge or understanding of basic administrative tasks: operate standard office equipment; document management; prepare and maintain records, various correspondences and reports; answer general inquiries and refer as necessary; answer telephone calls, process mail, order supplies/equipment; prepare meeting agendas, attend meetings, record/transcribe/distribute minutes; entering, transcribing, recording, storing or maintaining information in written or electronic form with speed and accuracy; maintain calendars, arrange meetings, schedule rooms and equipment as necessary.    
• Ability to communicate effectively and efficiently with management, co-workers and clients; obtain and communicate accurate information; apply common sense understanding to complex instructions and respond accordingly; communicate complex ideas through graphs, charts, presentations, reports or other professional correspondence

 
 
ESSENTIAL ABILITIES FOR ALL ST. CLAIR COUNTY JOB CLASSIFICATIONS:

• Ability to demonstrate predictable, reliable, and timely attendance.                
• Ability to read, write & communicate in English; follow written and verbal instruction and understand basic mathematics and figure checking.                 
• Ability to interpret and apply procedures, rules, technical information, instructions, manuals to complete tasks accurately and on schedule.                                      
• Ability to learn from directions, observations, and mistakes; and apply procedures using good judgement.
• Ability to use discretion and maintain sensitive and confidential information.    
• Ability to work independently or part of a team; ability to interact appropriately with others such as County officials, employees, vendors and the general public.
• Ability to work under supervision, receiving instructions/feedback, coaching/counseling and/or action/discipline.                                             
• Adaptability to change in the work environment, managing competing demands and ability to deal with frequent changes, delays or unexpected events.
• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services including customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction
• Proficient skills using Microsoft Office programs including, but not limited to: Word, Excel, Access, and Outlook as required. Proficiency may be tested.      

 
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Prior to starting employment, the candidate must complete a satisfactory background check.  The background check is understood to encompass all forms of pre-employment screening, including but not limited to: drug screen, physical, criminal background, driving record, sex offender registry, education, training and licensing verification, employment history, credit check, and professional and personal references.
• Must possess a valid State of Michigan operator license and maintain this license throughout employment in this position.
• Must have and maintain reliable transportation and vehicle insurance and throughout employment.
• MDCH Healthy Kids/MIChild, MDCH Breastfeeding Basics, MDCH Anthropometric Laboratory training completion (provided by Michigan Department of Community Health) within 8-12 months hire.
• OSHA, Blood Borne Pathogen and HIPPA training (as required and provided by St. Clair County Health Department) within 60 days hire.
• Required to report to duty when called upon in the event of a Public Health Emergency regardless of declaration.

 
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job with or without accommodations.  Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
   
  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

• Speak to others to convey information effectively.
• Read, interpret and understand procedures, rules, technical information, instructions and manuals.
• Hear and understand information presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Specific vision requirement includes close vision, distance vision, color and depth perception.
• Use hands to operate a computer, handle materials and operate equipment.
• Push or pull carts, reach with hands and arms forward, above and below shoulder level.
• Lift, move or carry objects, equipment and supplies weighing up to 45 pounds.
• Sit, bend, stoop, crouch, crawl and kneel in an ergonomically correct manner.
• Stand and walk, climb stairs.
• Generally, works in a normal office environment.
• The noise level in the work environment is moderate with many interruptions.
• The employee works in areas where universal precautions and confrontation avoidance techniques are required, and is occasionally exposed to risk from bodily fluids or client actions.

 
 
 
Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position.  They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job requirements or duties performed.  The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.
                                                                                                   
AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: It is the policy of St. Clair County not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, disability that does not prevent performing essential job functions or because he or she is a protected veteran.
 

Salary : $32,543 - $42,824