umhealthwest·Cedar Springs, Michigan
Provides basic patient care and clinical support under the direction of a provider, including taking vital signs and escorting patients. Responsible for specimen collection, phlebotomy, and maintaining accurate medical documentation in Epic.
FTE status: 0
On-call: Yes
Weekends: No
Under the direction of a Provider (Physician or Advanced Practice Provider (APP), the Patient Care Technician (PCT) provides basic care to patients and performs related tasks necessary to support the practice.
Minimum High School Diploma or GED required. Must meet one of the following requirements: Current Certified Nurse Aide (CENA) certification, or Current enrollment (and continued progression) in a health science program required with completion of nursing fundamentals course and/or one clinical rotation preferred. Equivalent enrollment considered will include but is not limited to: Nursing School, Pre-PA School, Medical School, or closely related health science program, or Equivalent experience. Equivalent experience and/or completed training considered will include but is not limited to: Medical Assistant, Paramedic, Medical First Responder, EMT, Nurse Tech, Resident Aid/Assistant, or LPN. Basic understanding of Medical Terminology, Anatomy, Physiology, and Patient Confidentiality is preferred. Current Basic Life Support (BLS/CPR) provider required. Experience in medical practice setting preferred. Able to successfully complete unit-specific core competencies as defined in the orientation check-list. Essential Functions and Responsibilities: Flows patients on a provider schedule. Includes escorting from waiting room to exam room, vital signs and collecting/entering any screening documents including growth charts and nurse notes. Reviews previous labs and health maintenance and updates as necessary. SPECIMEN COLLECTION: Order, collects and labels POC testing done in the practice. This includes, but not limited to: respiratory testing (nasopharyngeal, mid-turbinate, etc), sputum, urine, and stool specimens for laboratory testing; testing urine for sugar, acetone, blood or pH; straining urine for kidney stones; using the glucometer to test blood glucose levels, urine pregnancy and lead testing.
Collects and labels blood specimens for testing done at the laboratory. Includes venipuncture, spinning, and storage prior to transport.
VITAL
SIGNS /
MEASUREMENT: Measures and record accurate vital signs and weight including oral and tympanic temperature, radial and apical pulse, adult and pediatric blood pressure, respiratory rate; pulse oximeter, infant/child head circumference and using standing, chair, sling and bed scales to measure weight.
EQUIPMENT: Uses equipment and supplies safely and appropriately. This includes assisting patients with incentive spirometry; setting up oxygen flow meters; setting up suction equipment and disposing of suction canisters; and applying and removing ice bags, moist or dry heat, ace bandages, arm slings, binders, supports, anti-embolism stockings.
Infection
CONTROL: Assists with controlling the spread of infection by using aseptic technique; adhering to universal/standard precautions; caring appropriately for patients with special isolation precautions; passing clean linen and bagging and disposing of soiled linen; replacing full sharps containers; cleaning equipment between patients’ use; and cleaning equipment prior to return to Central Processing Department (CPD). Participates in exam room disinfecting and cleaning.
DOCUMENTATION: Documentation of chief complaint, smoking history, verification of pharmacy, medications and allergies, past medical, social, surgical and family history along with PHQ screening, assistance with prior authorizations and scanning and document care given as directed by the providers. Ability to add telephone encounters into Epic along with initiating and completing inbasket messaging, taking verbal or telephone orders per the standing order protocol.
COMMUNICATION: Communicates effectively using Vocera, telephone system; reporting observations to the provider; keeping the provider informed of care delivered; maintaining patient confidentiality. Ordering supplies.
PROCEDURES: Assist with procedures in an ambulatory setting, handing instruments, supplies while using a sterile field. Performs other duties as assigned.
These may include but are not limited to: Performing tasks assigned by the Provider and/or Practice Manager/Supervisor to facilitate department efficiency. Maintaining a current knowledge base of department processes and procedures for patient care, pursuing self-directed learning and continuing education opportunities, and participating on committees, task forces, and work groups as determined by management.
Market context
In Michigan, support-services roles in healthcare often stay active because clinics and practices need dependable staff who can handle patient-facing and back-office tasks. These positions are competitive because employers commonly require a high school diploma, completion of a competency-based medical assistant training program, and timely BLS plus a recognized Medical Assistant certification. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to quickly compare fit and confirm your certification timeline before applying.