Patient Care Specialist

Job Title: Patient Care Specialist

Status: Full-Time/Exempt/40 hours per week requiring flexibility/grant-funded

Compensation: $45,000 annual salary plus generous paid time off and benefits package

Organization Description:

Prevention Point Pittsburgh (PPP) is a non-profit organization that seeks to improve the health and safety of individuals who use drugs through the provision of public health services. By both practicing and advocating for harm reduction approaches to substance use, PPP aims to empower individuals and communities to respond to substance use with compassion and understanding.

Position Summary:

The Patient Care Specialist provides support, assistance, and follow-up for program participants receiving healthcare services through PPP’s mobile medical services project. The Patient Care Specialist also assists with the logistical operations of the medical van and supports the medical providers (contracted through Allegheny Health Network [AHN]) as appropriate. Work activities will take place primarily in the field, including outdoor settings.

The mobile medical services project provides wound care, buprenorphine prescribing, pregnancy testing, referral to other levels of care, and dispensing of antibiotics and over-the-counter medications and supplements via a medical van at four weekly sites.

Responsibilities:

• Be present at PPP medical van sites as scheduled to engage with individuals who receive services from the medical van. Engagement duties include:
  • Harm reduction education on safer use methods
  • Detox, rehabilitation, and other treatment referrals
  • Providing referrals and transportation assistance to outside social services such as food banks, housing assistance, emergency services
  • Assessment of appropriateness for potential new patients (previous experience with MOUD, current insurance state, housing status, food and clothing needs, phone needs, ID cards, etc.
  • Assist with scheduling appointments on the van, connecting and scheduling with other providers, planning for future appointments, medication management, etc.
• Working with providers to problem solve patient issues
• Manage medication refills and pharmacy partnerships.
  • Advocating for participants, fleshing out insurance issues. communicating between provider, pharmacy, insurance, and patient with things like waiving copay, covering script, switching pharmacies, fixing mistakes in scripts
• Assist with maintenance and upkeep of the medical van including registrations and inspections, and all equipment and supplies.
• Participate in regular discussions with medical providers and social workers regarding the provision and coordination of care for patients or potential patients.
• Prospect and engage in strategic partnerships with individuals in other organizations in order to establish relationships that result in the ability to refer participants to other levels of care.
• Manage program data, including Protected Health Information with all appropriate protections. This also includes grant-related documentation.
• Be genuine, engaging, and trustworthy when interacting with program participants.
• Exemplify professionalism when working with partner agencies and authorities.
• Be accountable and responsive to program participants, partners, coworkers, and agencies.
• Function as a team member and share in other responsibilities as required, including but not limited to attending events, obtaining training, undertaking research, and other duties as assigned.
• Attend and participate in regular staff meetings.

Requirements and Qualifications:

• Commitment to harm reduction philosophy and organizational mission.
• Understanding of and experience in clinical settings, patient-facing roles preferred. some experience in any electronic medical record (EMR) system preferred.
• Certified Recovery Specialist (CRS and/or CFRS) or willingness to be trained and certified in first year required.
  • NOTE: in addition to completing a training course, obtaining the CRS credential requires a statement that the applicant has 18 continuous months of recovery (recovery as defined by the applicant). The CFRS credential requires a statement that the applicant has been directly impacted by their own family member or loved one’s substance use.
• Accuracy and efficiency in maintaining necessary records, managing time, and establishing and maintaining boundaries appropriate for a harm reduction setting.
• Ability to ask for support from team and supervisor when needed.
• Understanding of safer injection practices, overdose prevention, testing procedures, disease transmission, and general substance use topics.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail; accuracy in documentation and data entry.
• Excellent interpersonal and team building, leadership, and oral and written communication skills.
• Willingness to work independently and creatively solve problems as they arise.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and in compliance with applicable laws.
• Ability to multitask, prioritize, attend required engagements, receive feedback, and meet deadlines.
• Basic computer skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, email, and other core applications.
• Completion of all required trainings and certifications.
• A valid and unrestricted PA driver’s license is required for the duration of employment, as well as ability to be insured under agency’s policy (disqualifications generally include DUI/DWI or other reckless driving convictions in the last five years or more than two at-fault accidents in the last three years).
• Lifting 25 pounds, driving, sitting, standing, and climbing stairs are frequently necessary.
• Experience in previous harm reduction settings is preferred but not required.

To apply use the following link: https://forms.gle/D7AtfnEBDuYeedzL9

Applications will only be accepted through the form above, please do not call or email your application.

Questions can be sent to hire@pppgh.org