Medical Equipment (DME) Specialist

We have the great privilege of helping patients and families re-build their lives. It’s extraordinarily meaningful work and the reason we greet the day with optimism and anticipation. When patients “Ask for Mary,” they experience a culture that has been sculpted for more than a century. Our hallmark is to carefully listen to patients and innovatively serve them. This is true of every employee, from support staff and leadership, to clinicians and care providers.

Mary Free Bed is a not-for-profit, nationally accredited rehabilitation hospital serving thousands of children and adults each year through inpatient, outpatient, sub-acute rehabilitation, orthotics and prosthetics and home and community programs. With the most comprehensive rehabilitation services in Michigan and an exclusive focus on rehabilitation, Mary Free Bed physicians, nurses and therapists help our patients achieve outstanding clinical outcomes. The growing Mary Free Bed Network provides patients throughout the state with access to our unique standard of care

Mission Statement

Restoring hope and freedom through rehabilitation.

Employment Value Proposition

At Mary Free Bed, we take pride in our values-based culture:

• Focus on Patient Care. A selfless drive to serve and heal connects all MFB employees.
• Clinical Variety and Challenge. An inter-disciplinary approach and a top team of professionals create ever-changing opportunities and activities.
• Family Culture. We offer the stability of a large organization while nurturing the family/team atmosphere of a small organization.
• Trust in Each Other. Each employee knows that co-workers can be trusted to make the right decision for our family, patients, staff, and community.
• A Proud Tradition . Years of dedicated, quality service to our patients and community have yielded a reputation that fills our employees with pride.

Age Specific Responsibility:

Must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served in assigned department. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient’s status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient’s requirements relative to age-specific needs and to provide the care needed as described in the department’s policies and procedures.

Summary Applies clinical knowledge and critical thinking to collaborate with therapists, Medical Group, and patients by managing the procurement of equipment and supplies necessary for therapy and for discharge. Works as the liaison with vendors to ensure effective relationships to direct the procurement process most efficiently and timely with discharge constraints. Meets with patients, patient families, and caregivers to achieve accurate understanding of equipment acquisition and equipment utilization/function in preparation for discharge.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Staff will provide patient care, treatment, and services within the scope of their license, certification or registration and as required by law and regulation .
• Collaborates with therapists, physicians, patients and others in ordering and procuring equipment. Acts as liaison between therapists and vendors. Educates vendors as to specialized equipment needs of rehab patients, based on clinical awareness of patients’ diagnosis and related needs.
• For patients needing equipment, confirms DME providers, based on insurance plan.
• Stays current with general vendor/insurance coverage trends.
• Applies clinical knowledge, reasoning, and problem solving to ensure optimal patient experience, educate patients to achieve clear understanding of expectations for equipment acquisition and utlization at discharge.
• Assures that the vendor of choice receives appropriate/accurate patient information in a timely manor to facilitate an efficient DME order process.
• Operates as a key contributor with vendors, clinicians, and IP Clinical Rehab Educator for continual re-assessment of workflow and documentation efficiencies to optimize patient experience outcomes.
• Serves as the liaison to our patients and care givers with vendors to achieve a timely delivery or explanation of delay.
• Assures compliance regarding “patient choice” of vendor. Maintains file of patient choice of vendor.
• Works to obtain funding for indigent patients and maintains storage area for donated equipment for indigent patients.
• Facilitates and hosts equipment demos and related in-services with vendors and/or manufacturers’ representatives. Maintains logs of vendors/topics. Maintains logs of staff attendance.

· Requests trial equipment from vendors.

• Negotiates with vendors and suppliers for potential new products.
• Maintains a current selection of catalogues and manufacturers information for therapists.
• Acts as a resource for rehab equipment for therapists and assistants.
• Cleans and maintains equipment according to department infection control policies and procedures.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• We’ll embrace all people by:

T reating everyone with dignity and respect.

O pening more doors to opportunity for others to succeed.

G rowing talent and people.

E nsuring a welcoming experience for all we serve, regardless of origin, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status.

T aking action against discrimination.

H onoring our differences and how we collaborate.

E ducating staff, patients and the communities we care for.

Restoring hope and freedom, together.

Customer Service Responsibilities

Demonstrate excellent customer service and standards of behaviors as well as encourages, coaches, and monitors the same in team members. This individual should consistently promote teamwork and direct communication with co-workers and deal discretely and sensitively with confidential information.

Responsibilities in Quality Improvement

Contribute by identifying problems and seeking solutions. Promote patient/family satisfaction where possible; participates in departmental efforts to monitor and report customer service.

Essential Job Qualifications

• Minimum of Associates Degree; Occupational Therapy Assistant or Physical Therapy Assistant Required
  • Maintains licensure with State of Michigan appropriate for level of education/expertise
  • Maintains certification in specific discipline
• Minimum 1 year clinical experience; Preferred 3 year clinical experience.
• Knowledge of DME and rehab equipment, interdisciplinary hospital team approach to care
• Demonstrated communication, grammar, organizational skills to build relationships with vendors that benefit MFB
• Demonstrated critical thinking, analysis and problem-solving skills to be knowledgeable and effective in collaborative communication with vendors, patients and hospital staff.
• Demonstrated knowledge of reimbursement/insurance issues related to equipment and supplies.
• Clinical awareness of safety related to patient diagnosis and necessary equipment to achieve optimal function following discharge.

Physical Requirements for Essential Job Qualification

Levels :

• None (No specific requirements)
• Occasionally (Less than 1/3)
• Frequently (1/3 to 2/3)
• Majority (More than 2/3)

Remain in a stationary position: Frequently

Traverse or move around work location: Frequently

Use keyboard: Frequently

Operate or use department specific equipment: Occasionally

Ascend/Descend equipment or ladder: None

Position self to accomplish the Essential Functions of the role: Occasionally

Receive and communicate information and ideas for understanding: Majority

Transport, position, and/or exert force:

Up to 10 pounds: Frequently

Up to 25 pounds: Frequently

Up to 50 pounds: Occasionally

Up to 75 pounds: None

More than 100 pounds: None

Other weight: Up to___ pounds _____

Other: _____

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is the policy of Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the Talent Acquisition team at recruitment@maryfreebed.com .

Mary Free Bed is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, genetic information, veteran status, disability or other legally protected characteristic.