Urgent Care Clinics
Summary of Services
Urgent care clinics provide patients with free medical care and prescription medication as needed. The Free Clinic of Southwest Washington is equipped to handle most urgent care needs, with outside referral sources available for patients who need x-rays, laboratory tests, ongoing care, or specialty care. Clinics serve between 20-30 patients during morning clinics, and 35-45 patients during evening clinics. All services are provided at no cost to patients, including labs, imaging, medications and referrals, with some exceptions. Three regular (paid) staff provide program oversight.
All clinic services are provided by volunteers.
The Free Clinic does not provide STD testing, women’s health services including birth control, pregnancy testing or pap smears, mental health services, general check-ups, adult immunizations, TB testing, narcotic prescriptions, or any assessments for medical marijuana cards.
Clinic Times
Monday | Wednesday | Friday 9:30-12:00pm
Tuesday | Thursday 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm.
Volunteer shift start times vary depending on the assignment.
Patient Overview
Patients who come to the Free Clinic are required to have no medical insurance or medical coupons. They are generally low income, uninsured, and underserved. Many have postponed health care due to financial considerations and sometimes arrive with increasingly acute symptoms and multiple complaints. They are asked to make a financial donation if they can, but no one is refused service if they cannot donate. Patients are accepted on a first come, first serve, basis and some may wait 3-4 hours before they are seen.
Volunteer Staff
Volunteer Staff:
- Medical Providers (4-6)
- Nurses (3-4)
- Lab Technician
- Front Office Clerk
- Front Office Triage
- Dispensary Clerk
- Pharmacist
- Pharmacy Technician
- Spanish Interpreter
Volunteer Supervision / Team Leaders
Medical Program Core Staff
Download Physician/Provider Welcome Letter from Susan Davis, MD
Susan Davis, MD | Medical Director (Volunteer)| 360.313.1395 message
Patrick Callahan | Clinic Director (Employee) | 360.313.1395
Frances Sandoval | Front Office Coordinator (Employee) | 360.313.1379
Zac Sanders | Dispensary Coordinator (Employee) | 360.313.1392
Clinic/Patient Flow
Patients wait for the clinic doors to open for sign-in, standing in line for sometimes two or more hours.
- Patient check-in is conducted by the front office clerk (1) and front office triage volunteer (1).
- Required labs are posted for the lab technician (1).
- Nursing volunteers(3-4) (RN, LPN, MA, EMT, CNA) take patients to an exam room, and register the chief complaint and vital signs.
- Attendants (1-2) assist with the flow of the shift, answer questions, find supplies, and work with patients who need referrals.
- Providers (4-5) (DO, MD, NP, PA) examine and treat the patients utilizing a marking system on each exam room door indicating which patient is next.
- Spanish Interpreter (1) is available to help patients both with check-in and in the exam rooms. Other Interpreters are available through a service by phone.
Dispensary
After the exam, patients return to the waiting room to fill any prescriptions.
- Pharmacy Clerk (1) accepts & records the patient prescriptions
- Pharmacy Technician (1) prepares the prescriptions for the Pharmacist to review and dispense.
- Pharmacist (1) prepares prescription labels (or assigns this to the tech) then reviews and dispenses the medication to patients and answers any questions they may have.
A formulary of medications that are available through the Free Clinic dispensary is available in each clinic room. The Free Clinic does not dispense birth control, controlled substances or psychotropic medications.Providers are discouraged from prescribing these. Free Clinic staff and volunteers can help steer patients needing these services to other community partners. Patients may receive a Safeway voucher to pay for off-formulary medications, if the prescribing provider and the Clinic Director agree it is necessary.
Please encourage patients who can afford a $4 prescription to purchase the discounted medications available at Wal-Mart.
Referrals
The Attendant helps providers understand what referrals are available, completes necessary paperwork, and helps the patient understand the referral process. Although our available resources have increased over the years, including our specialty referral program Project Access, it may not be possible to treat every concern/complaint a patient has. If a patient needs a resource referral that is not offered through the clinic, options may be discussed with the Clinic Director.
Radiology
The Free Clinic refers patients to Vancouver Radiologists for all basic x-rays. This service is free for patients. Results are sent back to the Free Clinic and reviewed by medical director or other volunteer physician. Patients are called with the results and may return for a follow-up visit, or are referred to Rebound Orthopedics for casting/splinting (for a sliding scale fee). Ultrasounds, CT scans, and MRIs exceed our budget and are typically not offered. If a patient needs one of these, the Clinic Director, or Attendant, will discuss options, including possible referral to Project Access, with the provider and with the patient.
Laboratory Tests
Simple laboratory tests (Rapid Strep A, Urinalysis, Glucose checks, etc.) are provided at the Free Clinic. Other tests and blood draws (CBC, Panels) are referred to the laboratory at Southwest Washington Medical Center, who provides them at no charge. However, we ask providers to limit tests to those absolutely necessary. Results are not immediately available, so providers are asked to please consider this when designing the immediate treatment plan. Results are later returned to the Free Clinic where they are reviewed by the medical director, or other volunteer physician. Clinic staff will then provide the results by phone to the patient, who will be referred for follow up care if necessary. These tests are free to patients.
Primary Care Referrals
Patients needing ongoing care for chronic conditions or other health care issues, are provided information for Sea Mar (FQHC sliding scale fees), New Heights (no fees) or Clinica de Salud Familiar (local Nurse Practitioner - $55 per visit). It is the patient’s responsibility to follow up and make the appointment.
Specialty Care Referrals
Medical Sub-Specialists are Free Clinic volunteers too! Patients can obtain a consultation during urgent care clinics when a specialist is scheduled. The white board lists upcoming dates and times. If not listed, check with the Clinic Director or Volunteer Manager.
Patients needing a one-time office visit for acute specialty care may be referred to a participating clinic in the community. The fee is usually sliding scale.
Should a consultation show a need for more comprehensive specialty care, the patient may be referred to Project Access Clark County (PACC). PACC patients may obtain services from specialists for “big ticket” problems where continuity of care is required. Enrollment usually takes at least three weeks, but will allow a patient to receive medical sub-specialty care along with medically necessary ancillary services, including surgery, hospital costs, labs/imaging and medication, all at no cost to the patient. Patients must qualify at 200% or less of the Federal Poverty Level (apprx $10/hr for a single person) and be a Clark County resident. Oregon residents may qualify for Project Access programs in Multnomah, Clackamas or Washington counties.
Procedures
Most procedures (Incision & Drainage, Lesion Excision/Biopsy, Toenail Removal, etc) are covered under a grant and performed at Family Medicine of Southwest Washington. A referral can be completed by the Attendant. Providers who have experience in certain procedures and who are comfortable with available equipment should speak with the Clinic Director before beginning any procedure.
Dental Clinic Referrals
Free Clinic dental clinics provide extractions and fillings (appointment only) for patients. The waiting period is often considerable. Patients must fill out an application and be placed on a wait list until services become available. Other community resources (SeaMar Dental and College Training Programs) exist to help meet this need, but at some cost to the patient. Dental resources remain very limited.
