Medical Assistants

Summary:

The Medical Assistant provides primary clinical support to the provider, patient, and family members involved in the patient’s care. Maintains complete and accurate documentation in the medical record to ensure continuity and quality of care. Promotes a clean and safe environment. Meets qualifications to provide care for patients within the age-specifics ranges cared for in the assigned practice setting. Collects subjective information from the patient, family, or patient representative and performs clinical interventions under the delegation of a physician/ mid-level provider, while reporting to dyad leaders or clinical lead for daily operational issues. Consistently provides the highest level of patient care and supports the needs of the patient, practice, and clinical team; while maximizing patient satisfaction, providing safe and cost effective care, and performing at the highest level of their credential.

Responsibilities:

Clinical Functions:

• Assists providers in exam procedures, etc. in a professional, safe, and competent manner; maintaining sterile technique when applicable.

• Maintains current clinical competency, knowledge, and skills specific to the population of patients to whom care is administered.

• Demonstrates ongoing professional growth and provides documented evidence of participation in continued educational offerings.

• Collects, reviews and documents patient's current subjective health status and history. Completes initial Review of Systems consistent with reason for visit/chief complaint.

• Is knowledgeable in the appropriate rooming and preparation of patients to be seen in the practice

• Accurately documents subjective history and complaints, vital signs, and any interventions performed in the medical record according to hospital and practice standards.

• Attains/maintains competency in point of care testing performed within the practice.

• Attains/maintains competency in interventions performed within the practice and performs these interventions according to practice policy/protocol in order to enhance efficiency. May include, but not limited to EKGs, vital signs, PPD planting, phlebotomy, simple wound care and dressing changes, suture and staple removal, respiratory function testing, ear lavage, and splinting.

• Demonstrates competency in safe medication administration; strictly adhering to the medication administration policy.

• Immunizations are scheduled, administered per CDC recommendations, and documented per practice guidelines.

• Accepts telephone orders according to practice protocols, documents these orders utilizing read-back method to prevent error, and completes orders in a timely fashion.

• Refills medication prescriptions per office protocol or refers to Office Nurse/ Clinical Coordinator as appropriate.

• Completes orders per provider direction or JPP, safely, in a time-effective manner, supported by appropriate documentation.

• Participates in maintenance of working environment (e.g., cleaning, stocking of rooms) daily or as necessary. Maintains cleanliness of room per infection control policy.

• Identifies and documents patient(s) readiness to learn, barriers to learning, and preferred method of education. Provides educational materials based on these findings.

• Ensures that supplies and equipment inventory is adequate to meet practice needs; paying attention to integrity of equipment and expiration dating of supplies.

• Follows appropriate procedure for obtaining and returning/cleansing/disposing of equipment and supplies per infection control policy.

• Ensures all specimens are accurately labeled and processed correctly per policy.

• Reviews provider messages/desktops in a timely manner; independently completing tasks within MA’s job responsibility per practice and relaying relevant information to provider as appropriate.

• Demonstrates ownership and accountability of any errors by reporting to supervisor and per policy.

• Utilizes appropriate personal protective equipment as determined by the patient’s clinical presentation and per infection control policy.

Administrative Functions:

• Assists administrative/office staff with sharing phone call coverage, scheduling of appointments, and making referrals as determined by the practice leadership. Is proficient in telephone messaging and documentation per policy.

• Demonstrates effective and courteous customer, physician practice staff, and ancillary staff communication skills.

• Responds to all calls and electronic messages promptly and courteously.

• Responds to and resolves issues promptly through effective communications and refers patients to appropriate practice leadership for follow-up as appropriate.

• Accountable for adherence to TJC, OSHA, and clinic policies and procedures. Reports any noted compliance concerns within practice to appropriate leadership.

• Proactively focuses efforts and energy on successfully attaining goals and objectives to maximize patient care, health care cost containment, and practice flow

• Consistently meets customer needs by continuous professional growth, displaying competency in skills required to perform duties, and by strictly adhering to policies and procedures, compliance, and quality measures.

• Patient Confidentiality is protected at all times.

• Utilizes proper body mechanics and knowledge of ergonomics to ensure personal safety.

• Maintains a professional demeanor both inside and outside of the workplace.

Other information:

Accredited and/or certified by the NHA or AAMA preferred.  

Competencies and skills:

Essential:

* Behaves with Integrity and Builds Trust: Acts consistently in line with the core values, commitments and rules of conduct. Leads by example and tells the truth. Does what they say they will, when and how they say they will, or communicates an alternate plan.

* Cultivates Respect: Treats others fairly, embraces and values differences, and contributes to a culture of diversity, inclusion, empowerment and cooperation.

* Fosters Accountability: Creates and participates in a work environment where people hold themselves and others accountable for processes, results and behaviors. Takes appropriate ownership not only of successes but also mistakes and works to correct them in a timely manner. Demonstrates understanding that we all work as a team and the quality and timeliness of work impacts everyone involved.

* Practices Compassion: Exhibits genuine care for people and is available and ready to help; displays a deep awareness of and strong willingness to relieve the suffering of others.

Education:

Essential:

* High School Diploma/General Educational Development (GED)

Graduate of an accredited two-year Medical Assistant program; certification by the NHA or AAMA preferred. If not already certified, matriculation in an approved certification program within 6 months of hire required and completed within 3 years of hire. Certification by the NHA or AAMA required within 3 months of completion of certificate or degree program.

·Relevant healthcare experience in a clinical setting (examples include EMS, CNAs, phlebotomists, etc.) preferred.

·Continuous BLS certification required starting no later than the end of the first week of employment. (AR Gould provides training for those who do not have it)

·De-escalation and workplace violence training required within 6 months of hire.

Working conditions:

Essential:

* Work with computers, typing, reading or writing.

* Continuous standing.

* Continuous walking.

* Potential exposure to very hot or cold temperatures.