Medical Assistant - Adult Rheumatology

The Medical Assistant assists in examination and treatment of patients under the direction of a physician. Interviews patients, obtains vital signs (i.e., pulse rate, temperature, blood pressure, weight, and height), and records information on patients' charts. May be required to draw and collect blood samples from patients and prepare specimens or swabs obtained for laboratory analysis. Coordinates patient flow, schedules appointments, procedures, tests and referrals. May triage phone calls, "call-in" non-narcotic prescriptions as per provider's direction and frequently communications with patients and their families. Assists with regulatory and compliance needs of the clinic.  Works under close supervision of the physician and clinic manager. 

Responsibilities

1.    Patient Care

a.    Properly identifies patient by requesting patient name, DOB prior to any patient interactions.  
b.    Ensures confidentiality of protected patient health information by utilizing safe business practices that support HIPAA regulations.  
c.    Completes and documents patient visit notes accurately which may include but not limited to the chief complaint, past medical and surgical history, family history, vital signs, immunizations, allergies, medications, nutrition and health and wellness issues as directed by physician practice and organizational processes.  
d.    Accurately and safely administers and documents waived testing under the direct supervision of physician.  
e.    Prepares, stocks, and cleans exam rooms and maintains supplies and equipment for patient care.  
f.    Prepares and administers medications according to physician/physician assistant orders and organizational policies and procedures.  
g.    Assists the physician with minor surgical procedures and follows appropriate procedures for obtaining, handling, and processing specimens and cultures.  
h.    Provides basic clinical care measures to all age groups per clinical skills checklist.    

2.    Coordination of Care  

a.    Coordinates patient flow to ensure physician efficiency includes managing the patient schedule and wait times.  
b.    Instructs patient and/or family regarding diagnostic procedures, medications, nutrition and health/wellness issues using pre-approved forms and information.  
c.    Retrieves and sends requested patient health information to authorized individuals in a timely fashion in accordance with HIPAA regulations and organizational policies and procedures.  
d.    Patients are notified of test results, changes in medications and other alteration in treatment plan as instructed by practitioner within 48 hours of test results.  
e.    Medication prescriptions are called into the appropriate pharmacy as ordered by the physician/practitioner per organizational policies.  
f.    Diagnostic testing as ordered by the physician/practitioner is effectively coordinated and communicated with other healthcare providers regarding patient care per organizational policies and procedures.  
g.    Responds to questions and concerns from patients and/or family in an appropriate manner.

   
3.    Quality  

a.    Understands and adheres to corporate compliance procedures, accrediting bodies standards and the ethical and religious directives when providing care.  
b.    Understands and aware of potential chemical hazards and how to access MSDS information. Understands the correct and prompt actions to take during emergency situations and able to document such events in the electronic safety system timely and effectively.  
c.    Participates in quality improvement initiatives including but not limited to gathering and trending data and actively supporting process changes that foster improved quality of care and process.  
d.    Observes and adheres to all policies and procedures and follow all safety, quality assurance, and infection control standards.  
e.    Utilizes all equipment, supplies, facilities and resources in a prudent and efficient manner in order to ensure efficient departmental operations and the provision of high-quality health care services  
f.    Assumes personal responsibilities for continuing education and professional development.  

4.    Clinical excellence and regulatory compliance

a.    Works closely with other medical assistants to ensure compliance and competency in documentation standards.
b.    Assist with oversight of regulatory processes to include performing daily, weekly, and monthly monitoring of logs along with measuring compliance in clinic for such activities.
c.    Assist with counting and ordering: private and VFC vaccines and medications in addition to clinical supplies in clinic.
d.    Assists and performs medical record auditing of clinical documentation and works closely manager and/or supervisor to determine documentation improvement strategies when needed.
e.    May provide training and orientation to new team members on policy and procedures and workflow of clinic operations.
f.    Works closely with health information management department to provide any clinical documentation needed for auditing.

5.    Other Duties as Assigned

a.    Uses initiative and actively seeks out ways to assist in the overall operations of the practice to include assisting in clerical duties as needed.  
b.    Supports the practice efforts including but not limited to the annual Flu Clinic, job-site projects, community health events.  
c.    May assist with clerical duties such as answering phones, filing and preparing charts, checking in/out referrals, maintaining referral database, verifying and confirming benefits, coordinating paperwork for patient needs such as FMLA or back to work/school messages.

Qualifications

Experience: Completion of a medical assistant program or 1 year experience in a clinical capacity

Education: High School diploma or equivalent

Special Skills - Computer literate; skilled in use of Microsoft outlook, electronic health records and other software programs.

Licensure/Certification: BLS Required