Clinical Health Assistant

Job Description: SEM Clinical Health Assistant (CHA)

Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:30-5:00 pm

The MacEwan University Health Centre is a new state-of-the-art primary care clinic, located in downtown Edmonton, focused on the Patient-Centered Medical Home model which provides patient-centered, comprehensive, coordinated, and accessible care based on the patient’s needs. MUHC’s unique academic teaching, medical home model of health care provides a friendly, supportive, caring and learning environment. Along with supporting work-life balance and a positive team environment, we empower our staff to enhance their skills, to foster growth and development with educational opportunities.

Reporting to the CHA Supervisor, the Clinical Health Assistant (CHA) is typically the first point of clinical contact for patients and is responsible for providing care and support to patients in the clinical environment, as well as helping them navigate community resources. Similar to that of a Medical Office Assistant, the Clinical Health Assistant (CHA) features an exciting expanded scope aspect to this role as a non-physician practitioner which allows for more training and educational opportunities. The Clinical Health Assistant works collaboratively with other CHAs, their supervisor and a physician lead to manage an assigned panel of patients. This will be a demanding, challenging, and rewarding role within the clinic.

Duties and Responsibilities

Direct Patient Care and Procedure Support

- Greet and room patients, obtain vital signs, update patient information and collect focused histories as directed by the clinical team.

- Review routine screening needs and prepare requisitions or follow-up tasks according to clinic protocols and clinician direction.

- Assist with minor procedures, including platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and other injections; prepare rooms, equipment, supplies and sterile trays as required.

- Provide hands-on assistance during appointments and procedures as directed, maintain patient comfort and dignity, and act as a chaperone for sensitive examinations.

- Assist with specimen collection and initial blood and urine screening, and perform electrocardiograms and phlebotomy when appropriately trained and authorized.

- Prepare ultrasound equipment for use and complete cleaning and care of equipment according to clinic procedures.

- Ensure required consent documentation is available and completed through the approved clinic process.

- Recognize and promptly escalate concerning symptoms or critical red flags, including suspected acute fractures, to the appropriate clinician.

- Provide clinician-approved post-visit summaries, procedure-specific pamphlets and aftercare instructions.

Referral and Appointment Coordination

- Receive, screen for administrative completeness, track and coordinate sports medicine referrals, seeking clinical review when urgency or suitability requires a decision.

- Use clinic-approved referral pathways and electronic systems, including Connect Care where access is authorized, to support referral processing and tracking.

- Maintain referral tracking lists and follow up on missed appointments or incomplete referral steps.

- Assist clinicians with urgent orthopaedic referrals and urgent MRI coordination using approved processes.

- Coordinate PRP and other injection appointments, including timing, clinician availability and procedure requirements.

- Coordinate appointments for out-of-town patients to support timely access and reduce unnecessary travel where possible.

- Create and update patient profiles for off-site services, enter clinician-provided instructions into the clinical schedule, maintain relevant service rosters and arrange follow-up appointments at MUHC.

Documentation and Team Coordination

- Maintain accurate and timely electronic medical records and communicate with patients by telephone or through approved channels in response to team requests.

- Prepare patient charts and schedules for upcoming appointments and participate in morning huddles with nurses, physicians and residents.

- Format clinician-provided consultation and visit notes into standardized letters; review spelling, formatting and medical terminology, and return documents to the clinician for approval.

- Work with the team nurse and physicians to follow up on outstanding tasks, investigations and consultations as directed.

- Support billing administration for assigned physicians, including additional physician coverage where assigned, according to approved clinic processes.

- Organize group visits, including patient notification, materials, staffing and logistics.

- Protect patient confidentiality and use only approved systems for patient information and communication.

- Clinic and Equipment Support

- Clean and stock examination and procedure rooms, prepare supply lists and monitor procedure supplies.

- Clean computers, monitors and examination-room surfaces according to clinic procedures.

- Clean and sterilize surgical instruments and equipment according to established infection prevention procedures.

- Maintain readiness of clinical equipment and report equipment or supply concerns promptly.

Qualifications

- Medical Office Assistant diploma/certification

- Criminal Record and Vulnerable Sector check

- 2+ years’ medical office experience, Primary Care experience considered an asset

- EMR experience an asset

- Proficient with Microsoft Office applications

- Excellent communication and time management skills

- Willing to train for expanded scope practices such as Phlebotomies, ECG’s, etc.

- Professional and friendly manner

- Enthusiastic and thrives in a fast paced and changing environment

- Applicants in consideration will be required to adhere to a criminal record search.

We provide competitive compensation, professional development, and a full benefits package:

- Medical/Dental/Vision

- Maternity Leave

- Parental Leave

- Paid Holidays

- Vacation/Paid Sick Leave

- RRSP

Applicants in consideration will be required to adhere to a criminal record search. We thank you for your interest, however, only qualified applicants will be contacted. Out-of-province/country applications will not be considered.