Description

This position performs a variety of tasks that support both the clinical and secretarial aspects of the Burn/Wound Clinic. Under the direction of a therapist, nurse or physician, this position works cooperatively with all team members to provide technical patient care services. This position assists therapists, nurses and physicians in the performance of their function and provides specific and general support. These tasks are performed according to department and Medical Center policy.

Core Competencies

Greets patients and ensures they are taken care of in a timely manner. Receives and directs patients; notifies staff of patient’s arrival and/or escorts patient to appropriate area. Prepares insurance/disability form for patient reimbursement. Receives and addresses in-coming telephone calls; accurately records and routes messages as indicated. Picks-up and addresses voice mail messages; addresses patient concerns regarding patient’s wound status and/or answers questions about wound care regimens. Follows up on Home Health issues (ie questions the provider may have about the actual treatment, obtaining written orders from the physicians and faxing to home health, etc). Follows up on questions for the physicians from pharmacy. Follows up with vendors and purchasing department regarding dressings. Sets up, turns over and cleans between patients. Utilizes computer systems to bill for procedures, and obtain lab results and schedule patients. Labels, downloads, sorts, prints and files Burn/Wound Clinic photographs. Orders and restocks clinical supplies including linen, dressings and instruments. Maintains office equipment and initiates maintenance and repairs as necessary. Assists in the data input in a wound care data base. Makes follow up calls when patients do not show for appointments. Assists in the supply stocking of the exam rooms. Schedules patient appointments. Checks in all patient arrivals in the computer system at the end of the day. Takes vital signs as requested by physician. Assists with patient education to include handouts and videos. Updates patient information such as medication lists, allergies, etc Takes a thorough history of the wound care that has been provided to the patient or by the patient. Measures and photographs patient wounds. Takes dressings down, cleans wound and applies dressing per physicians orders. Alerts the appropriate personnel when a wound requires debridement of devitalized tissue or periwound callus. Takes action as needed if there is a change in patient condition or potential danger; communicates concerns to the appropriate person. Notifies the appropriate person when a wound has signs/symptoms of infection or has deteriorated. Cultures wound. Performs ABI testing using Sensilase. Assembles necessary instruments and supplies for MD procedures and assists as directed. Assesses and documents location and level of patient’s pain. Positions patients appropriately for procedure/intervention being performed. Assists with orientation and training of new employees/volunteers, as assigned. Ensures that necessary forms, consults and test results are available to the physician(s) as needed. Assists scanning forms into patients records. Displays competence with application of compression dressings, various dressings used in the clinic, TCC and graft care.