Clinical Assistant

The Clinical Assistant, under general supervision, supports the delivery of public health services by performing a variety of clinical and administrative tasks in a clinic or laboratory setting. Duties include assisting nurses and other clinical staff with patient intake, preparing exam rooms, collecting and recording health information, assisting with laboratory and diagnostic procedures under supervision, maintaining supplies and equipment, and ensuring compliance with infection control and confidentiality standards.

The Clinical Assistant contributes to efficient clinic operations and the provision of quality, compassionate public health care.

Assists licensed clinical staff with patient care and public health services in accordance with established protocols and standing orders.

Conducts patient intake and screening, including obtaining and recording vital signs, medical histories, and other pertinent health information in electronic health records.

Prepares and maintains examination rooms, equipment, and supplies to ensure cleanliness, safety, and readiness for clinical operations.

Administers diagnostic tests under the direction and supervision of a licensed nurse or provider, following agency and state guidelines.

Collects, labels, and processes laboratory specimens for analysis; performs basic laboratory and point-of-care testing as authorized.

Provides patient education on health promotion, disease prevention, and available public health services.

Assists with communicable disease control activities, including client interviews, documentation, and follow-up, as directed by nursing or epidemiology staff.

Maintains accurate, complete, and confidential medical and program records in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.

Assists nurse or medical provider during health examinations with specimen collection, ensuring proper technique and patient comfort.

Uses correct aseptic technique to create a sterile field for medical procedures.

Performs vision and hearing screenings on pediatric patients as directed by nursing or provider staff, accurately recording results in electronic medical records.

Prepares patients for physical examinations and non-stress test (NST) monitoring by ensuring comfort, privacy, and accuracy of recorded data.

Stocks and maintains exam and storage rooms with necessary medical, laboratory, and cleaning supplies. Cleans and prepares exam rooms between patients, ensuring all surfaces and equipment are properly sanitized.

Performs routine cleaning of ultrasound and non-stress test (NST) machines and ensures proper disposal of biohazardous materials.

Collects and processes soiled instruments according to infection control and sterilization protocols. Serves as a chaperone during provider and nursing examinations and procedures to ensure patient comfort, safety, and compliance with clinic policy. Escorts patients to and from designated clinic and laboratory areas, providing clear communication and maintaining patient privacy and confidentiality throughout the process.

Provides clinical support services during Public Health community outreach events and emergency response efforts. Assists with vaccination and testing clinics, health screenings, and disaster shelter operations by performing clinical tasks, preparing supplies, supporting registration and flow, and ensuring adherence to infection control and safety protocols.

Adheres to all infection control policies and standard precautions to ensure a safe and sanitary clinical environment. Completes all required quarterly infection control education and mandated trainings.

Supports patient triage by answering incoming calls and obtaining accurate demographic and medical information. Documents and enters all caller details into the electronic medical record (EMR) system for appropriate routing to nursing staff. Ensures timely communication, confidentiality, and accuracy to support effective patient care and clinic workflow.

Acts as a backup to the laboratory team performing phlebotomy, hemoglobin, blood glucose, and waiver laboratory testing as requested.

Performs medical translation and interpretation (in person and remotely). Conveys communication between the provider and patient, while accurately converting the exchange between the English and Spanish language pair; works in assigned public health and environmental health program areas and in a variety of settings including homes and community sites; renders interpretation as accurately as possible, given the idiomatic difference between languages, while keeping the spirit and letter of the original communication;

and communicates possible misunderstandings by the patient to the provider.

Abides by the professional standards and codes of ethics of the National Council for Interpreters in Health Care.

Assists nurses and providers in understanding the patient’s culture to include nonverbal communication, health practices, and social relationships; maintains strict…