Modern medical treatment and patient care for cancer and other hematology-related diseases requires more than just capable doctors and nurses. It requires a range of personnel and expertise to handle everything from patient check-in and initial testing to patient records and billing. Pacific Oncology has an experienced and qualified staff of over 125 people to support every aspect of your medical care. In order to help you understand who does what at Pacific Oncology, we’ve tried to provide a basic overview on these web pages. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask any member of your team.

Doctors

Our physicians are licensed in the State of Oregon, board certified in internal medicine and specialty trained in medical oncology, hematology, or both. Medical oncology is the specialty that treats patients with cancer and uses chemotherapy medications to treat these patients. Hematology is the specialty of medicine that treats patients with blood disorders.

** Radiation Oncology Specialist from Oregon Clinic

Nurse Practitioners

The nurse practitioners in the practice are registered nurses with advanced education and training. They are qualified to perform physical exams; diagnose and treat illnesses and prescribe medications, other treatments and diagnostic procedures. They work closely with the physicians in the office and “on call”.

Clinical Staff

Nurses: Oncology nurses are R.N.’s (registered nurses licensed in the State of Oregon) with special training in the care of people with cancer and blood diseases. Most of our R.N.’s have earned the title of O.C.N. (Oncology Certified Nurse) by passing a national exam in the specialty of cancer nursing. Our skilled nurses help educate patients and their families, administer chemotherapy and other treatments, handle patient phone calls and provide support. Our nurses will also assist you in setting up outside resources, such as home health or any other needed services. Nurses will often communicate the doctor’s orders and phone messages to patients.

Medical Technologist and Medical Laboratory Technician: Medical technologists and technicians have acquired a technical degree in laboratory science. They are knowledgeable and proficient in hematology, chemistry, microscopic testing and phlebotomy. They perform tests in our lab for use in the treatment and diagnosis of our patients.

Medical Assistant: Medical assistants are trained to assist the doctors and nurses with clinical procedures and patient care. Our medical assistant will likely take you back to your exam room, weigh you, update your medication history, take your temperature, take your blood pressure and perhaps draw your blood. They are also able to do basic laboratory testing. Most of our medical assistants have taken a voluntary exam beyond their education to give them the titles of registered or certified medical assistant.

Clerical Staff

Receptionist/Medical Records Staff: The receptionist greets patients, collects co-pays, schedules appointments and tests and handles all our phone calls. We consider our receptionists very important members of our team since they are responsible to make sure you are promptly taken care of and that you are aware of the follow-up plan before you leave our office. They also work with you to ensure a proper referral and authorization is in place from your primary care physician if your insurance company requires it; all our receptionists have a basic knowledge of most insurance companies. The receptionist/medical records staff makes sure that all records needed by your doctor are available prior to your office visit. They also file your records and maintain your chart.

Financial and Insurance Issues: Our financial counselors and referral coordinators verify coverage and obtain referrals and authrorizations for your services. We will file claims with your insurance company. Our patient account representatives can assist you with your insurance questions and arrange a payment plan for your account balance. Our patient account representatives are available from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday at (503) 230-9088.

Transcriptionist: Our transcriptionists transcribe recorded dictation from our doctors and nurses. This includes consult letters, communication letters to your other doctors, all progress notes for your chart and documentation of phone calls. They have extensive knowledge of medical and pharmaceutical terminology.

Management Team

Our management team oversees the day-to-day operations of the offices and each department. We develop and implement policies and procedures that relate to the organization. We strive to continually improve the quality of our health care delivery. If you ever have a problem, please don’t hesitate to contact one of us.

Controller: Oversees the Business Office, accounts payable, and payroll functions. Manages all financial aspects of the practice.

Chief Operating Officer: is responsible for daily operations of the practice and manages the management and nurse practitioner staff.

Nurse Manager: Assists patients with special needs. Responsible for clinical staffing and management of the nursing staff.

Business Office Manager: Manages billing staff. Monitors all activities that relate to our practice billing system. Oversees collections, contract administration and third-party reimbursement. Responsible for all aspects of accounts receivable.

Clerical Services Manager East/West: Manages clerical staff for all sites on east and west sides of the Willamette River respectively. Responsible for all front office and medical record functions at all sites.

Laboratory Services Manager: Manages laboratory staff. Responsible for all laboratory functions and operations.

Medical Assistant Manager: Manages medical assistant staff. Responsible for all medical assisting functions and operations.

Human Resources Manager: Oversees all Human Resource functions for all sites.

Administrative Assistant: Provides invaluable assistance to managers and chief operating officer. Coordinates physician call schedules, assists with payroll and human resources and various operationally related projects.