Medical Assistant

Description

JOB SUMMARY: 

Responsible for assisting providers with patient care, clerical, and organizational tasks. Responsible for patient flow, appointment scheduling and chart management. Provides information to patients so they may fully utilize and benefit from the clinic services. Conveys a positive image of clinic.  

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Prepares patient charts for the appointment: by reviewing and gathering all relevant information from a patient's medical record, including past medical history, current medications, lab results, imaging studies, and recent progress notes, to ensure the healthcare provider has a complete picture of the patient's health status before adding new information during an upcoming appointment or procedure and ensure that the chart is complete in Electronic Health Record (EHR) before closing.  
• Prepares the patients for examinations and/or special procedures. Obtains and records vital signs (height, weight, blood pressure, pulse, respirations, pain, and temperature). Interviews patients to identify current medical needs and relevant patient history. Reconciles medications at every visit. Documents findings in medical records.   
• Documents patient care observation and activities according to professional standards and procedures.  
• Performs clinical duties as assigned by Nurse or Provider. Assists Provider with examination of patient, treatment, special tests, and procedures.  
• Actively monitor and maintain information regarding patients who have been referred to other healthcare providers, ensuring timely follow-up to track their progress and treatment status.  
• Generates report/list and proactively reminds patients/families of preventative services that are needed such as flu shot, wellness screenings, labs, etc. 
• Update the patient plans of care and document care coordination/interventions while integrating quality initiative measurements to demonstrate results and show quality improvement in patients care.   
• Will manage boxes in EHR of outstanding tasks, alerts, or pending actions related to patient care timely and accurately. 
• Assists with patient inquiries/concerns regarding medical care, medication instructions and prescription call-ins in a prompt, courteous, and efficient manner.  
• Communicate with pharmacy to address any issues, refills, or other matters pertaining to medication management. Will assist in obtaining prior authorization of medications as needed. 
• Schedules lab work, specialist visits, completes necessary paperwork to ensure proper billing, and completes provider orders timely. Verify and update patient data. Assist patients with completion of paperwork, as required. Ensures lab orders are entered to avoid delay. 
• Timely and accurately maintains required reports, logs, and records.  
• Coordinates care with hospital, home health services, hospice, or other institutional settings per provider’s order. 
• Obtains discharge summaries from the hospital and other facilities as needed for coordination of care.  
• Processes all patient referrals and required follow through. Maintains and keeps updated referral report. 
• Maintain clean work areas throughout practice site; observe safety guidelines as established by SCH, their supervisor, and/or provider. Prepares patient care area, keeps the exam rooms clean, and stocked as needed or required. 
• Answer and respond promptly to patient telephone inquiries.  
• Upon completion of the initial and annual medication proficiency test, the clinical staff may administer medications according to Medication Administration policy. 
• Administers immunizations and injections after reviewing immunization record/schedule, potential allergic reactions, identifies and reviews side effects and treatments.  
• Performs venipunctures, capillary punctures, specimen collection/preparation/testing and other lab functions as requested.  
• Performs EKG’s as ordered by providers. 
• Promotes wellness by providing patient education materials, communicating physicians’ advice and instructions on how to self-manage care. 
• Communicates with and assists providers, patients and coworkers in a professional and courteous manner. 
• Perform or assist with other clinical or non-clinical duties as assigned by the Supervisor. 
• Participates in code team training and immediately initiates an appropriate emergency response/procedure when codes are called (to include performing CPR, managing airways, administering medications, and coordinating evacuation procedures in case of a fire). 
• Participates in scheduled training programs including HIPAA compliance, online learning modules, and classroom training. 
• Based on the staffing needs of the department, employee will assist in other provider areas as assigned by Supervisor. 
• Maintains confidentiality in matters regarding the clinic, its patients and employees. 
• Reports to work on a regular and consistent basis. 

Requirements

EDUCATION – HIRED PRIOR TO SEPTEMBER 1, 2008: 

High School graduate or equivalent required. General medical knowledge and medical terminology acquired through formal education. Prefer graduate of an accredited training program with proper certification in medical terminology. 

EDUCATION – HIRED AFTER SEPTEMBER 1, 2008: 

High school graduate or equivalent required.  

1. Graduate of an accredited Medical Assisting training program or 
2. Medical Assistant in the military or 
3. EMT-A or paramedic is required.  

*An exception may be granted to individuals that have not attended an accredited training program but do have (i) a national certification in medical assisting and (ii) a minimum of 2 years of medical assisting experience. Such exception may only occur following (i) a thorough evaluation of the individual’s experience; training/education; skills and qualifications, (ii) a determination by the Director of Nursing that such individual has the requisite skills and knowledge to perform as a Medical Assistant and (iii) written approval from two Executive Committee members.* 

EXPERIENCE - HIRED PRIOR TO SEPTEMBER 1, 2008: 

If not a graduate of an accredited Medical Assisting training program, minimum of 1 year required in medical assistance experience in a Physician’s office or other clinical facility required.  

EXPERIENCE - HIRED AFTER SEPTEMBER 1, 2008:  

One year working as a medical assistant with experience in a Physician’s office or other clinical facility recommended but not required.  

REQUIREMENTS: 

• The employee must pass initial clinical skills competencies and initial and annual medication proficiency exam (with an 80% or better).  
• Maintains current BLS/CPR certification.  

KNOWLEDGE: 

• Knowledge of health care field. 
• Knowledge of medical terminology. 

SKILLS: 

• Skill in performing assistance tasks appropriately. 
• Skill in communication, tact, and customer service. 
• Skill in use of computer. 

ABILITIES: 

• Ability to exercise professionalism in dealing with all levels of personnel, patients, and patients’ families. 
• Ability to communicate clearly. 
• Ability to learn and retain information regarding patient care procedures. 
• Ability to complete tasks as directed by provider and nursing staff. 
• Ability to demonstrate compassion and caring in dealing with others. 
• Ability to deal with many tasks at one time with flexibility. 

ENVIRONMENT & CONDITIONS: 

• Primarily clinical setting. 
• May be subject to infectious materials through the collection or handling of body fluids (i.e., blood, urine, sputum), caring for patients with highly infectious/contagious diseases. 
• Initial Hepatitis B screening and initial and annual TB screening/testing is required. 
• Occasional stress due to workload pressure. 

PHYSICAL/MENTAL DEMANDS: 

• Requires standing and walking for extended periods of time. 
• Occasionally lifts and carries items weighing up to 20 pounds.  
• Frequently required to talk, hear, eye/hand coordination as well as keyboarding. 
• Occasionally stooping, lifting, grasping, pushing/pulling and grip strength. 

HIPAA: 

This position should have full access to information in a patient’s medical record, to provide quality patient care. Patient information is to be held strictly confidential. Patient information will not be used or disclosed for any purpose other than the performance of job responsibilities and duties. Access to a user’s own medical record and/or family members medical records is strictly prohibited unless related to job responsibilities. 

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITY ACT STATEMENT: 

External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled, must be able to perform the essential job functions either unaided or with assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined on a case-by-case basis.

SouthCoast Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug-Free Workplace. Applicants selected for employment are subject to pre-employment drug testing.