CLASS SPECIFICATION

COMMUNITY HEALTH CLINIC TECHNICIAN LEADER

DEFINITION OF CLASS:
The Health Clinic Technician Leader provides lead level supervision to Community Health Clinic Technicians who work as members of a health clinic team in a medical clinic/office setting. Performance of this work involves contacts with patients from diverse cultural backgrounds and ages, Community Health Nurses, Physicians, and other health care support staff for the purpose of explaining and administering screening procedures, obtaining patient history and medical record information, and facilitating the provision of clinic services. Public service/assistance is provided to a large number of patients through the screening tests provided.
The employee in this class provides recommendations concerning Community Health Clinic Technicians' performance evaluations, recommends leave approval and employee selection; provides guidance, assistance, and training to CHCTs; ensures clinic examination schedules are maintained; and performs the duties of a CHCT, which involves conducting a variety of health screening tests, and providing assistance to Community Health Nurses and Physicians in the operation of clinics in such areas as child health, immunization, family planning, maternity, sexually transmitted disease, and specialty consultation services programs. This assistance includes setting up clinic areas with the necessary materials and instruments, preparing patients for examination, obtaining patients' medical histories, drawing blood and determining blood pressures, handing materials and instruments to Physicians, preparing cultures and samples for examination or transmission to a laboratory, and collecting and tabulating statistical data on clinic attendance/services. Performance of this work requires practical knowledge of a variety of standard health screening test procedures and technical equipment operation requiring an understanding of the meaning of technical data, test results, and relevant medical history; and knowledge of venipuncture and applicable human anatomy. Most work is independently performed under the general supervision of a higher level professional nursing position. The employee independently administers screening tests; and work is periodically checked to see that results are accurate, and procedures used are correct and in compliance with established policies and detailed written guidelines. The immediate supervisor usually is located away from the employee's work site, although other professional medical staff are available for addressing and resolving unusual situations/problems. The employee must exercise judgment in the choice of screening procedures and techniques of administration depending on patients' age and level of ability to communicate. Properly performed work contributes to the smooth functioning of clinics, and in the detection of handicapping conditions, developmental delays, and health problems which otherwise might not be apparent. Complexity of the work is derived from the variety of screening tests administered, the methods and procedures involved, the age range of patients, and their developmental levels and ability to communicate. Employees in this class recognize the meaning of readily apparent differences and act accordingly. Work requires light physical effort involving long periods of standing and walking during clinic operation. The clinic environment regularly imposes some discomfort and unpleasantness due to the moderate noise level created by crowded waiting rooms, unsupervised children and crying babies. There is some exposure to infection and contagious diseases resulting from occasional contact with hazardous substances such as human waste and body fluids, including the drawing of blood samples for laboratory tests.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES: (Illustrative Only)
Provides lead supervision, guidance, and training to Health Clinic Technician staff, and ensures clinic examination schedules are met.
Administers multiple screening tests (Denver Developmental, hearing, vision, speech and language, urine collection, blood pressure, body measurements and EKG) to patients of a variety of ages and developmental levels.
Prepares patients for examination, and assists during patient examinations by handing instruments to physicians, and collecting and preparing specimens for examination or transmission to a laboratory.
Obtains health history information to establish patients' health profiles, records screening test results and follow-up recommendations on patients' records, and reviews records for completeness and proper patient scheduling.
Performs finger sticks and venipuncture to obtain blood samples for a variety of laboratory tests.
Provides post-clinic follow-up contact with patients by telephone concerning pending surgical arrangements, broken and canceled appointments; and obtains patient information concerning income level and insurance coverage.
Collects and tabulates statistical data on clinic attendance and screening procedures, and prepares medical assistance billing forms.
Prepares and maintains facilities for clinic services.
Participates in post-clinic conferences to report screening results and to share observations with health clinic professionals.
Maintains and orders clinic supplies.
Reviews patients' medical records to determine immunizations required, and helps patients complete appropriate consent forms by answering questions and providing information concerning program procedures.
Performs related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience: Three (3) years experience working in a clinical setting, including one (1) year in a position comparable to that of the County's Community Health Clinic Technician.
Education: Completion of high school or High School Certificate of completion recognized in the State of Maryland. Successful completion of a phlebotomy course of training, and training in blood pressure determination.
Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Considerable knowledge of a variety of standard health screening test procedures to include venipuncture and blood pressure determination.
Considerable knowledge of and ability to operate applicable screening test and medical equipment.
Ability to accurately administer a variety of screening tests, recognize questionable screening test results, and record findings.
Ability to provide lead level supervision and technical procedural training.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing, and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients of different ages, socio-economic and cultural backgrounds, and with clinic staff.
Ability to prepare specimens for examination utilizing such methods as wet mounts and gram stains.
Ability to perform basic arithmetic (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and percentages).
Ability to attend meetings or perform other assignments at locations outside the office.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD:
Individuals appointed or promoted to this class will be required to serve a probationary period of six months, during which time performance will be carefully evaluated. Continuation in this class will be contingent upon successful completion of the probationary period.

MEDICAL PROTOCOL: Limited Core Exam

Class Established: November 1992
Revised: April 2010