Medical Assistant

JOB SUMMARY

Works in a collaborative environment to deliver excellent patient care under the direction of a licensed clinical professional in a clinic or practice environment. This team member is expected to facilitate all aspects of the patient visit experience, including: clinical duties such as room set up and patient preparation, performing office tests, taking vitals, collecting specimens, drawing blood, and giving injections, and immunizations. Cleans and sterilizes equipment. Charts patient interactions (e.g. medical history, medications, vital statistics, test results, etc.) in the patient's medical record.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Minimum: High School diploma or equivalent. Successful completion of a certified Medical Assistant program of study through an accredited medical assistant program that includes medical terminology coursework.

Credentials/Licensure/Certifications

Minimum: Medical Assistant Certification is required. New hires without CMA or RMA must be signed up to take the exam within the first 60 days of employment and must be certified or registered within 5 weeks of employment.

Requirement: CMA or RMA BCLS / CPR certification

Related Experience

Minimum: Graduate of an MA Clinical Training program or externship program. Knowledge of medical terminology, basic business office skills, clinical skills, and computer skills.

Preferred: Three years of experience as a Medical Assistant

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge: Current basic knowledge of medical procedures, instruments and drugs. Knowledge of customer service, health care and confidentiality regulations, computer and equipment technology, clerical knowledge, knowledge of the English Language to speak, write, read, and understand policies, communications, medical orders, etc., general knowledge the human body, and cultural awareness.

Skills: Must be able to type 30 WPM

Speaking skills to convey information; active listening skills to understand and respond appropriately; able to perform equipment maintenance and reassembly; complex problem solving skills; observation skills; mathematics skills to perform simple addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and averaging problems; locating information skills to find, fill in, compare or summarize information found in related graphics and an electronic health record. Effective communications and writing skills as appropriate for the needs of a diverse audience. Good organizational skills to work under time constraints.

Abilities: Organization and categorization to sort and group items such as stock or supplies. Information ordering to file alphabetically, or order patients chronologically. Ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment. Ability to comfortably and effectively interact with diverse populations. Must be able to handle patient and organization information in a confidential manner. Ability to demonstrate competency with a standard desktop and Windows-based computer system including but not limited to email, e-learning, intranet and computer navigation. Ability to use other software as required while performing essential functions of the job.

Physical/Mental Abilities

Ability to keep hand and arm steady while preforming tasks (such as suture removal, drawing blood, obtaining vitals). Ability to make precise and coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects (such as writing on small things like a test tube) Constant standing, reaching, walking, lifting, and bending at waist. Frequent computer work. Ability to lift up to a maximum of 35lbs. and perform push/pull tasks that require a maximum force of 35 lbs. Ability to physically operate safe patient movement equipment in compliance with the Safe Patient Movement Policy.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Potential exposure to blood and bodily fluids. Able to handle multiple tasks simultaneously. Remain calm and effective during emergency situations. Expected to utilize Universal Precautions.

ORGANIZATIONAL EXPECTATIONS

• Flexibility – Demonstrates exceptional ability and willingness to take on new and additional responsibilities. Embraces new ideas and cultural differences while managing competing priorities.
• Accountability – Willingly accepts personal responsibility for decisions, actions, attitudes and behaviors which contribute to the overall effectiveness of the organization. Accepts responsibility for personal attendance expectations. Communicates effectively, Follows through on assignments, uses resources efficiently, participates in learning opportunities and treats others with respect and dignity.
• Excellence – Serves as a role model and performs job responsibilities to the highest standards in every situation. Delivers “Something More” that ensures a more complete and personally satisfying experience for every customer.
• Focus – Understands and demonstrates behaviors consistent with the mission and values of the organization while contributing to the overall success of the strategic plan. All actions are rooted in providing excellent customer service.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Readies exam rooms for patient visits, setting up necessary equipment, instruments, supplies, and sterile field as appropriate.
• Coordinates patient flow into exam rooms in preparation for the visit, gathers and documents pertinent data (e.g. vitals, medications, allergies, etc.) from patient and enters information into the medical record.
• Reviews the charts of scheduled patents prior to the appointment to ensure all medical records, diagnostic reports (e.g. MRI), testing results and correspondence are included in the chart prior to rooming the patient.
• Initiates the process of completing forms needed for appointments and ensures that clinical information entered to date is accurate and complete.
• Facilitates the processing of prescriptions by performing a complete review of medications with the patient and updating the medication list with changes as appropriate.
• Initiates communication with patients on completing pre-appointment requirements (e.g., registration forms, lab tests, x-rays,) via patient preference.
• Maintains complete and accurate patient records to include: documentation of chief complaint and condition, verification of medical history, allergies, medications, vitals and all patient interactions and treatments administered.
• Applies appropriate bracing (DME) and casting as directed by the treating provider.
• Performs basic procedures and tests including point of care testing, blood draws, injections, preparation of specimens, dressing changes, suture removal and BLS (basic life support).
• Assists provider with examination, treatment and basic procedures as necessary.
• Assists with or performs special procedures within limits of training and protocol under the supervision of a provider.
• Serves as primary clinical contact for inbound provider phone inquiries and seeks appropriate clinical responses through proper communication with assigned providers.
• Sends detailed clinical messages and returns patient phone calls in a timely manner.
• Gathers and communicates medical information as directed by the provider and documents appropriately.
• Cleans and disinfects treatment rooms after use, appropriately disposing of used equipment/supplies, removing and storing unneeded medical devices/equipment, remaking bed with clean linens/paper
• Ensures exam rooms are properly stocked with supplies at all times.
• Communicates with patients, physicians, other office staff to provide excellence in patient care experience, including pre- and post- appointment.
• Completes the patient visit by reviewing care plan instructions with the patient and scheduling next appointment where applicable.
• Participates in the quality and performance initiatives of the office.
• Provides clinical coverage for other office locations as directed by supervisor or manager based on practice needs.
• Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor or manager.

SYSTEMS AND INFORMATION

To ensure appropriate utilization of Protected Health Information (PHI) associated with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Boston Orthopaedic and Spine Confidentiality of Information Standards, as well as other regulatory entities, individuals employed in this position will be granted systems and information access as appropriate for this position.

DISCLAIMER

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed in this job and are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. The listed duties may be changed at any time at the discretion of the employer.