Medical Assistant-West Palm Beach Medical

Job Summary

 The Medical Assistant performs a variety of administrative and clinical duties under the direction of Practice Management, the Senior Clinical Nurse, and the Physician. Responsibilities include supporting efficient patient care and clinic operations by scheduling appointments, maintaining accurate medical records, obtaining and documenting vital signs, social determinants of health (SDOH), and medical histories, preparing patients for examinations, and administering medications as directed by the physician.

Key Responsibilities

• Patient Preparation and Clinical Intake 

• Verify patient identity in accordance with established policies and procedures and prepare exam rooms to ensure they are clean, disinfected, organized, and ready for patient visits. 

• Obtain and accurately document vital signs, height, weight, and other relevant clinical information in preparation for patient visits. 

• Interview patients and collect, update, and document pertinent information, including social determinants of health (SDOH), family, social, medical, and surgical histories, medication reconciliation, and required health screenings. 

• Request medical records from outside providers or facilities in accordance with established procedures when patients report receiving care from another provider or being hospitalized since their previous visit. 

• Clinical Care and Diagnostic Support

• Order, perform, and document point-of-care testing (POCT) and Uniform Data System (UDS)-required health maintenance screenings in accordance with standing order protocols; promptly communicate abnormal POCT results to the provider.

• Assist providers with patient examinations, procedures, laboratory specimen collection, and other clinical activities as requested. 

• Perform authorized clinical procedures and treatments as ordered, including administration of subcutaneous and intramuscular injections and vaccines, POCT, suture or staple removal, EKGs, nebulizer treatments, and ear lavage. 

• Coordinate a warm handoff to the appropriate behavioral health team member in response to a positive behavioral health screening result. 

• Patient Follow-Up, Care Coordination, and Documentation

• Complete patient checkout activities by providing instructions and education in accordance with provider orders, scheduling follow-up appointments, coordinating health maintenance screenings, and facilitating completion of outstanding orders. 

• Communicate diagnostic and other test results to patients in accordance with provider instructions and established result-tracking procedures. 

• Coordinate with hospitals, physician offices, laboratories, and other appropriate providers to support continuity of care and timely patient follow-up. 

• Scan, label, and accurately file outside records, test results, and other documents • into the patient's medical record in accordance with established documentation procedures. 

• Enter incident reports, patient complaints, and grievances into the electronic event reporting system, as appropriate. 

• Clinical Operations, Safety, and Emergency Response 

• Maintain required clinical logs and perform control testing for POCT equipment in accordance with established procedures. 

• Clean and sterilize instruments; properly handle and dispose of contaminated supplies and biohazardous waste; and maintain compliance with OSHA guidelines and other applicable safety standards. 

• Prepare specimens for internal or external laboratory analysis, including proper labeling, completion of requisition forms, adherence to specimen-handling protocols, and coordination of laboratory pickup. 

• Assist with supply management by communicating needs to the designated ordering personnel, monitoring inventory, and tracking and removing expired supplies from clinical use in accordance with established procedures. 

• Participate in emergency preparedness, response, and management activities as required, including deployment to Red Cross shelters and response to natural or man-made disasters, threats, or other emergencies on behalf of Palm Beach County.

Additional Responsibilities 

The duties and responsibilities described above are intended to provide a general overview of the position and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all assigned duties, responsibilities, or activities. Employees may be required to perform other job-related duties as assigned to support departmental operations, organizational objectives, regulatory requirements, or patient care needs. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Qualifications

Education:
High School Diploma or GED required. Certificate or diploma from an accredited Medical Assistant Program required.

Experience:
One (1) year experience as a Medical Assistant is preferred.

Certification:
Current ACLS or BLS certification from the American Heart Association is required. Certification from AAMA, AMT,NHA or NCCT preferred.

Licensure:
State of Florida Valid Driver's License

Registrations:
N/A

The Health Care District of Palm Beach County is an independent special taxing district that has served as a healthcare safety net for more than 36 years to fill in gaps in access to healthcare services. This unique healthcare system covers the entire county and provides a wide range of services such as nine community health centers (Federally Qualified Health Centers) which serve everyone regardless of ability to pay; school health teams in 172 public schools; a lifesaving Trauma Hawk aeromedical helicopter program; a rural, public teaching hospital, Lakeside Medical Center; an award-winning skilled nursing center; a ground ambulance program for Health Care District patients needing a higher level of care and the county’s Trauma Agency, which ensures quality outcomes within the county’s trauma system and leads initiatives to prevent traumatic injury. 

We are committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate against an applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, military or veteran status, age, sex, pregnancy status, genetic information, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation or identification status, or any other legally recognized category protected by jurisdictional, state or federal law. The information collected by this application is solely to determine suitability for employment, verify identity and maintain employment statistics on applicants.

We are also committed to maintaining a safe, healthy, and productive work environment for all employees. As such, we are a Drug-Free Workplace. 

The Health Care District of Palm Beach County is an E-Verify participating employer and will use E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees.

This role may require Agency of Health Care Administration (AHCA) background screening and clearance. As required under House Bill 531, applicants may review AHCA’s education and awareness information at the following link: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/