Medical Assistant Palliative Care

Medical Assistant (MA) performs clinical duties and some administrative function under the direction of medical group providers to include preparing patients for examination, taking and recording vital signs, patient histories, and assisting with various procedures. 

Supports the Mission of Frederick Health and complies with the Standards of Behavior.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Clinical – Patient Care Activities
• Escorts patients to examination room within a timely fashion to maintain patient flow
• Interviews patients to obtain medical information and records history in medical record to include patient medications and allergies
• Obtains and records vital signs in the EHR and notifies physician/midlevel of any concerns
• Records all medications and laboratory results in the EHR.
• Updates information with each visit.
• Educate patients and families on treatment procedures, medications, and other physician instructions.
• Assists physicians during examinations, routine medical procedures and complex medical procedures.
• Prepares for procedure according to physician preference.
• Establishes and maintains a sterile field.
• Performs minor medical procedures such as dressing changes, phlebotomy, and gives injections.
• Able to remove staples, sutures and drains when requested by physician. 
• Has knowledge of the necessary equipment and procedures to support physician in caring for patient based on specific practice needs.
• Collects laboratory specimens and prepares them for testing
• Documents in the EHR in a complete, clear, accurate, and legible manner
• Processes prescription refills as instructed by the physician or physician extender, provides prescription information to pharmacies, and accurately records prescription information in the EHR and utilizes eRX
• Appropriately directs calls, takes accurate messages or responds to call by utilizing medical knowledge of policies, procedures and practices.
• Ensures prompt responses to phone messages and follows up with patient. 
• Communicates urgent concerns and resolution on issue in the EHR.
• Reviews all medical tests and results for abnormalities, immediately notifies providers when indicated and accurately files them in the EHR.
• Operations
• Prepares treatment rooms, keeping rooms neat and clean and stocked
• Practices proper disposal of contaminated instruments and materials
• Maintains and stocks supplies in examination and procedure rooms
• Ensures all supplies are within date of expiration
• Ensures all medical equipment is in proper working order by responsible inspecting party
• Cleans and sterilizes equipment
• Assists with orientation of new staff to practice, policies and procedures
• Quality/Service
• Understands quality/service measures and goals relating to staff and provider performance in order to support improvement efforts
• Assists with translating population health and quality program requirements into operational workflows
• Participates with site personnel to insure all quality/service measures are achieved. 
• Performs patient care in a systematic approach to ensure continuity of care with emphasis on the patient centered medical neighborhoods and the importance of primary care
• Assists in managing patient experience concerns, engages in customer service initiatives.
• Complies with organizational quality control standards
• Participates in department performance improvement activities, developing strategies for improved patient care.
• Adheres to and enforces organizational infection control standards. 
• Other Duties as assigned      
• Supports Leadership with day-to-day operations

Minimum Education, Training, and Experience Required

• Certified/Licensed MA preferred, CNA, EMT or LPN - Associates degree or higher in healthcare preferred.
• One - Two years of experience in medical practice or clinical setting
• CPR Certification
• Computer skills preferably to include knowledge of EMR, MS Office applications, with knowledge of organization EMR preferred.
• Ability to work independently, as well as in a team based environment

Patient Contact

Must demonstrate and maintain current knowledge and skills in providing appropriate care/contact for patients in the following age groups:

•             X          Neonate (0 thru 30 days)
•             X          Infant (31 thru 12 months)
•             X          Child (13 months thru 12 years)
•             X          Adolescent (13 years thru 17 years)
•             X          Adult (18 years thru 65 years)
•             X          Geriatric (66+ years)

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.  Possess the ability to interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient’s requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs and to provide the care needed as described in the unit’s/department’s policies and procedures.

Physical Demands:

Medium Work – Lifting up to 50 pounds on an infrequent basis (less than one lift every three minutes) and/or carrying up to 25 pounds while walking. Pushing or pulling up to 75 pounds infrequently or up to 115 pounds occasionally (no more than once per hour). 

Ergonomic Risk Factors:

Repetition: Repeating the same motion over and over again places stress on the muscles and tendons. The severity of risk depends on how often the action is repeated, the speed of the movement, the required force and muscle involved

Forceful Exertion:  The amount of physical effort required to perform a task (such as moving patients) or to maintain control of equipment or tools.  The amount of force depends on the type of grip, the weight of an object or person, body posture, the type of activity and the duration of the task.

Awkward Posture:  Posture is the position your body is in and its effect on the muscle groups that are involved in the physical activity.  Awkward postures include repeated or prolonged reaching, twisting, bending, kneeling, squatting, working overhead with your hands or arms, or holding fixed positions.

Moderate walking and standing

Working Conditions:

Blood borne Pathogen Exposure Risk Category A – WILL have exposure to blood or body fluids

Reporting Relationship:

Practice Manager

Caring for you as you care for the CommUNITY
Frederick Health offers a comprehensive and affordable benefits package. Health, Dental and Vision insurance are offered the 1st of the month after 30 days of employment to all employees hired to work at least 20 hours per week and we offer multiple plans to best meet your and your family's needs. Life insurance, Short-Term Income Replacement and Long-Term Disability are employer paid for eligible employees. Frederick Health offers a robust Paid Time Off program for eligible employees. Our 403B retirement plan helps you save for your retirement and includes an employer match to eligible employees. All employees have access to free financial planning sessions. We also offer an educational assistance program to support your education goals as well as an employer paid Employee Assistance Program. 

Pay is based on experience, skills and education.   If position is part-time, salary will be pro-rated based on scheduled hours.  The pay range may also vary within the stated range based on specialty if applicable. Non-Exempt positions may have shift differential and/or Overtime paid, if applicable. 

Hourly: $20.00 - $27.77