Medical Assistant - Rheumatology

Description

Founded in 1991, IBJI is the largest orthopedic group practice in Illinois. With more than 150 physicians in every orthopedic specialty, IBJI offers care for adults and children from some of the most accomplished and respected orthopedists in the country. Serving northern Illinois and northwest Indiana with over 100 locations, IBJI makes it easy to access care. Our headquarters is in Park Ridge, Illinois, a northwest suburb of Chicago. Our clinical services include advanced MRI imaging, pain management, non-surgical and surgical treatment plans, rheumatology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, wellness, and sports training. Ortho Access walk-in clinics provide same day care for orthopedic injuries. Beginning in 2021, IBJI expanded its clinical model to include eight outpatient ambulatory surgery centers that serve as an alternative to the traditional hospital model, enabling physicians, therapists and staff to work closely together to achieve better patient outcomes and convenience. Comprehensive care offered all in one place enables physicians, therapists and staff to work closely together, so that patients and families achieve better outcomes. Collaborative care is also more efficient. In many cases, IBJI services are substantially less expensive than those provided by large healthcare systems and emergency rooms. 

Summary

This position is responsible for performing daily administrative and clinical duties to facilitate efficient operations in an outpatient clinic setting. This position provides support in providing safe, quality care and customer service to patients, physicians/providers and other members in the clinical care teams.

Responsibilities

Patient Examination/Treatment

• Escorts patients to exam rooms on a timely basis. Whenever possible, keeping team members informed regarding delays
• Prepares patients for appropriate examination, triaging, as necessary, for radiologic studies, cast removal etc. 
• Assists physicians, as needed, in the patient examination process
• Evaluates need for wound care, if any, and ensures adequate provision of care and patient education
• Provides for splint/cast applications and removals when applicable
• Processes prescriptions per physician order. Instructs/educates patients regarding medication side effects
• Prepares injectable medications and equipment needed 
• Coordinates referrals for ongoing services/needs (e.g., therapy services, home health, surgical procedures, DME, etc.)
• Acts as a patient intermediary/liaison for resolution of patient problems
• Overall fulfills environmental responsibilities as assigned which may include: setting up instruments and equipment according to department protocol; cleaning exam/procedure rooms, instruments and equipment between patient visits to maintain infection control as regulated by OSHA; cleaning sterilizer according to scheduled maintenance program and keeping appropriate records; ordering, sorting, storing supplies; restocking exam/procedure rooms 
• Fulfills patient care responsibilities as assigned which may include: checking schedules and organizing patient flow; accompanying patients to exam/procedure room; assisting patients as needed with walking, transfers, dressing, collecting specimens, preparing for exam, etc.; collecting patient history; performing screenings per provider guidelines; assisting physicians/nurses/doctor's assistants with various procedures; charting; relaying instructions to patients/families; answering calls and providing pertinent information

Physician Liaison Activities

• Responds to incoming phone calls and determines the best method for resolution of caller’s needs through the identification of the most appropriate respondent (i.e., physician, administration, clinical/nursing staff, other support staff, etc.).  
• Channels requests appropriately in an effort to ensure resolution
• Secures charts related to diagnostic tests, physical/occupational therapy reports, etc. and discusses issues with physicians. Relates physician information back to patient/requestor. Completes chart notes, as appropriate. Assists, as requested, in securing missing diagnostic codes/information on charge tickets

Appointment Scheduling

• Assists in scheduling of appointments for new/established patients
• As assigned, discusses with physician special needs patient appointments, supplying medical charts for review as required and secures appointment approvals for visits outside of routine scheduling templates

Correspondence (Written/Faxed/Verbal)

• Sends prescriptions for therapy, orthotics, return to work notes, gym notes, etc. as requested
• Provides workers’ compensation carriers with updated status on patients
• Completes “Attending physician” statements, narrative summaries for attorneys, handicap parking permits, jury duty requests, disability forms, PE excuse notes, etc.
• Overall fulfills clerical responsibilities as assigned which may include: sending/receiving patient medical records; obtaining lab/x-ray reports, hospital notes, referral information, etc; completing forms/requisitions as needed; scheduling appointments, tests and surgeries; verifying insurance coverage and patient demographics; managing and charts to ensure information completed and filed appropriately

Support Activities

• Clinical chart preparation prior to patient appointment, ensures that the following data has been secured: x-rays; MRI/dexa scan results; reports from outside sources (e.g., lab results, x-rays/reports; Auth’s for injections when needed, etc.)
• Notifies management when clinic supplies are low
• Ensures that exam rooms, cast rooms, etc. are clean, orderly and fully stocked at the end of clinics

Operational

• Participates in learning new systems, as required, for the service area
• Performs, as an informational contact for patient and family as follows
• Notifies patients of delays
• Directs/seeks information on behalf of patients in order to increase their knowledge base
• Responds appropriately to inquiries or complaints
• Maintains professional image of organization by way of professional dress and presentation
• Attends mandatory in-service programs to keep abreast of current insurance/registration issues
• Fulfills organizational responsibilities as assigned which may include: respecting/promoting patient rights; responding appropriately to emergency codes; sharing problems relating to patients and/or staff with immediate supervisors quickly
• Maintain a clean and safe work environment
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

Requirements

Education

• Successful completion of an accredited Medical Assistant Program (CMA) preferred

Certifications/Licensure

• CMA (AAMA) (Certified Medical Assistant), RMA (Registered Medical Assistant), CCMA (Certified Clinical Medical Assistant), and NCMA (National Certified Medical Assistant) preferred
• Maintains CPR certification

Experience

• Experience in an orthopedic healthcare setting is preferred 

Technical Skills

• Possess good working knowledge of practice management and EHR software, Google products, Microsoft Office and Windows-based computer applications 

Soft Skills

• Able to multi-task and work in a fast-paced environment
• Good verbal and written communication and writing skills
• Strong interpersonal skills, able to work well and communicate professionally with physicians, patients and staff in all levels in the organization. Able to develop constructive and cooperative working relationships with others and maintain them over time 

Physical Requirements

• Stand or sit for extended periods of time
• Position requires full range of body motion including handling and lifting patients, manual and finger dexterity, and eye-hand coordination  
• Involves standing and walking 
• Requires occasional lifting associated with patient transfers (i.e., up to 35 lbs.)

This description is intended to provide only basic guidelines for meeting job requirements. Duties and responsibilities, experience, qualifications, skills, supervisory relationship, physical/mental demands, and environmental/ working conditions may change as needs evolve.

*Base salary offers for this position may vary based on factors such as location, skills and relevant experience. We offer the following benefits to those who are benefit eligible (30+ hours a week):  medical, dental, vision, life and AD&D insurance, long and short term disability, 401k program with company match and profit sharing, wellness program, health savings accounts, flexible savings accounts, ID protection plan and accident, critical illness and hospital benefits. In addition, we offer paid holidays and paid time off.  

**Illinois Bone and Joint Institute, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business need, without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to recruitment and placement, promotion, training, transfer, retention, rate of pay and all other terms and conditions of employment.