The Department of Neurological Surgery provides care to patients of all ages who have experienced neurological symptoms, neuro-trauma, or disorders of the nervous system requiring medical or surgical intervention. Diagnostic groups commonly cared for include: brain tumor, spinal tumor, brain injury, spinal cord injury, vertebral and/or spinal cord abnormalities, hydrocephalus, intracranial hemorrhage, craniovertebral junction abnormalities (CVJ), transient ischemic attack (TIA) or ischemic stroke, autoimmune disorders, Parkinson disease, seizures, headaches, episodic disorders, mental status changes, meningitis, encephalopathy, congenital disorders of the skull/spine/nervous system, and neurological problems involving respiratory compromise.

 

The Care Coordinator I for the Department of Neurological Surgery’s Neuro-Oncology Program is an integral team member who is committed to providing multi-disciplinary team-based care to patients with brain tumors. The incumbent performs a clinical role that is vital in support of the work of patients and clinical staff, particularly licensed independent practitioners (LIPs) through independently performing a variety of clinical, administrative, patient experience and technical functions. Care coordination is the task of bridging gaps between facilities, specialists, labs, community resources, pharmacy, and multidisciplinary care team members. The incumbent is expected to provide high quality customer service to both external customers (patient, referring providers, and insurance carriers) and internal customers (OHSU health care providers and staff) that meets or exceeds the service standards of the health care industry and engage in continuous process improvement activities. The incumbent is expected to act as a collaborative team member in all dealing with internal and external customers. The individual in this role is expected to uphold the Core Competencies and Code of Conduct in all interactions with OHSU colleagues, patients, and members of the public.

• Works with the provider in clinic by providing support with order entry, medication refills, imaging studies, admission coordination, FMLA, and provides non-nursing support and education to the patient, family, and caregiver. Coordinates labs and scheduling orders and follows up with patient to communicate appointment time. Monitors the Epic in basket for messages and refill requests that need attention from the patient, providers, and RN coordinator, providers, and residents. Handles messages and initiates authorizations and refill requests, manages the coordination of external referrals, MRIs, and labs within scope of boundaries as outlined for medical assistants. 

• Patient management – Responsible for coordinating and managing the non-nurse aspects of the patient’s clinical care process. Reviews the plan of care to ensure it is being executed correctly when and where requested by LIP as a method of care coordination in a virtual synchronous (phone) and asynchronous (MyChart) environment. Reviews AVS and provides appropriate patient education within the scope of the Medical Assistant (MA) license. Supports weekly tumor board coordinating preparation and license appropriate follow up care actions.

• Uses EPIC for report writing to reach out to active and surveillance patients through phone calls, My Chart messages, and sending letters. Supports the team by entering referrals, orders and interacting with the care team to ensure neuro-oncology care is coordinated. Scrubs (reviews and manages) charts daily to understand what is and is not needed by each scheduled patient. Proactively schedules appointments. Assumes a lead role in the work for health maintenance and panel coordination. Assists with questions regarding referrals and tests.

• Other duties as assigned, including serving as floor Medical Assistant in times of critical staffing.

• Two years’ experience in a hospital or hospital based clinic setting, AND
• High School diploma or equivalent, AND
• Current BLS certification at hire, AND
• One of the following four: 
  • Completion of a nationally recognized accredited medical assistant training program, including a practicum (externship) of at least 160 hours, OR 
  • Successful completion of a formal medical services training program of the United States Armed Forces, OR 
  • Current Oregon Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) license (basic or advance) and national EMT registration with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT), OR
  • Current Oregon Practical Nurse License
• For those completing medical assistant training or formal military medical services training as referenced above in #1 and #2, the following is also required (Those qualifying under the EMT or LPN qualification are exempt from this requirement.)
• MA certification received from a nationally recognized and accredited certifying body, upon hire or by the completion of the probationary period or internal job change evaluation period, as appropriate. Currently, these include: 
  • The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), awarding the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA.) 
  • The American Medical Technologists (AMT), awarding the Registered Medical Assistant (R.M.A.)
  • The National Center for Competency Testing, awarding the National Certified MA (NCMA.) 
  • The National Health Career Association, awarding the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA.)
• Any applicable certifications or licensures must be maintained for the duration of employment.
• In addition to receiving the appropriate certification noted above, Medical Assistants will be required to successfully demonstrate competencies prior to completion of probation or the internal job change evaluation period, as appropriate.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of the team, including leadership.
• Knowledge of patient flow and back office functions.   
• Ability to effectively and efficiently perform chart scrubbing and panel outreach activities. 
• Demonstrated strong analytic skills, including displaying and interpreting data. 
• Proficiency with EPIC, Microsoft Office including Excel, Word and Power Point. 
• Ability to manage time sensitive competing demands and meet deadlines. 
• Working knowledge of medical terminology. 
• Strong relationship building skills, excellent communication skills, exceptional customer service skills, highly sensitive to patient needs. 

Oregon Health & Science University values a diverse and culturally competent workforce. We are proud of our commitment to being an equal opportunity, affirmative action organization that does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of any protected class status, including disability status and protected veteran status. Individuals with diverse backgrounds and those who promote diversity and a culture of inclusion are encouraged to apply. To request reasonable accommodation contact the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Department at 503-494-5148 or aaeo@ohsu.edu.