Certified Medical Assistant

POSITION SUMMARY

As a Medical Assistant (MA) at MASS LUNG & ALLERGY (MLA) this position performs a wide variety of duties and responsibilities in a manner that places emphasis on quality of care and customer service. The incumbent must work collaboratively with all Clinical services staff in support of direct patient services, exhibiting flexibility and a "can-do" attitude. Patient services are the key priority in this position requiring the MA to serve as a point of contact with other internal and external departments, all with the goal of fostering an environment which promotes patient comfort and trust. The position must exemplify the core values and mission of the organization, always exercising utmost discretion, diplomacy and tact in patient/staff interactions.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Each medical assistant will be assigned to a provider and will be responsible for caring for that provider's needs, including rooming, administrative work and traveling to the locations in which that provider may be working. The essential duties and responsibilities included in this are outlined below.

• Prepares for patient appointments by reviewing and updating patient records prior to appointment.
• This includes checking for updates of recent test results, lab results, compliance reports and correspondence.
• Provides initial medical screening: Greets patients and directs to appropriate exam room; confirms the patient's identity by asking name and date of birth; checks weight, height, temp, blood pressure, respirations, and heart rate; verifies allergies, and reconciles medication lists; if the patient is a new patient, provide the physician with the disc of imaging if available and ensure imaging was done prior to the appointment; documents date of last flu and pneumonia accurately in medical chart according to generally accepted medical standards; documents Epworth Scoring in chart as needed.
• Appropriately prepares patient for visit and alerts physician when patient is ready to be seen. When physician is unavailable, the MA keeps the patient updated on the status of their appointment and when necessary assists the patient in re-scheduling or scheduling follow-up. Instructs patient as to general clinic policies, patients' rights and responsibilities as needed.
• Assists physician or nurse upon request during examination of patient and according to generally accepted medical standard; practices universal precautions with respect to established safety protocols; facilitates communication between the provider(s) and patient as needed.
• Clinical duties following the patient evaluation as recommended by the provider include (in addition initial medical screening #4.) teaching patients the proper use of inhalers, nebs, and other durable medical equipment, oximetry trending, alpha 1 testing, dispensing samples, administering immunizations, ordering labs and diagnostic imaging, administering neb treatments, transporting patients, triaging sick calls and walk in patients, performing office spirometry and Feno if available, and administering PPD.
• Maintains exam rooms according to protocols: Cleans rooms between patient exams to ensure patients' comfort and compliance with infection control standards; ensures all necessary supplies are stocked.
• Performs routine quality check of equipment and promptly reports damaged or missing equipment from patient rooms.
• Promptly reports when supplies are low and works with Clinical Supervisor to ensure timely reordering is completed.
• Utilizes time in a constructive and efficient manner by assisting in such duties as restocking
• rooms/shelves/trays, checking supplies and ensuring that all areas, exam rooms are clean and orderly, as well as maintaining their administrative work (as outlined in # 13).
• Maintains work station, according to protocol (keep free from meals and open beverages).
• Complete Clinical Administrative work which includes documents as assigned to MA per Provider needs, this includes but is not limited to: DME CMN's, Recertification prescriptions, medication refill requests, medication prior authorization requests, utility letters, housing letters, jury duty letters, handicap applications, PT 1 forms, FMLA/Disability forms; processes new orders for nebs, O2, CPAP, BIPAP, ASV, NIV, and other durable medical equipment; schedules referrals to outgoing providers (allergy, oncology, thoracic surgery, ENT etc); schedules procedures in local hospitals (bronchoscopy, CT guided biopsy, thoracentesis, pleurx cath placements etc) in addition to calling the patients to provide instructions to the procedure and processing the paperwork and applying for authorization if needed; call patients as directed by providers to relay results and other information; handle phone calls from patients regarding their concerns and appropriately document information to return to the provider; assist in hospital admissions.
• Provides support to Clinical Manager as assigned and as necessary for the smooth and efficient operation of the clinic; accepts floating assignments to other areas of the practice as needed and assigned.
• If opening the office, the MA will unlock and check the temperature of the vaccine refrigerator, and log this appropriately. Any excursions in temperature must be reported to the Clinical Manager. The MA will prepare the O2 tanks for the day, ensuring they are both full and ready to use, as well as preparing vitals carts and ensuring they have all necessary pieces to fully function. The MA will calibrate the spirometer and open the exam rooms to be used for the day to ensure they are fully stocked and otoscope/ophthalmoscope is turned on.
• If closing the office, the MA will check the temperature of the vaccine refrigerator and log this appropriately and lock the refrigerator for the evening. Any excursions in temperature must be reported to the clinical supervisor. They will check the exam rooms to shut off ophthalmoscope/otoscope, clean, and turn off lights. Plug in the vitals machines and locate all equipment in preparation for the next day. Check O2 tanks to ensure they are closed and shut off. Lock the office if past 5 pm.
• The MA may be required to process prior authorization for diagnostic imaging such as CT, PET, or other tests and schedule these tests at different facilities.
• Ensures clinical areas are organized with respect of standards in safety and quality patient care; works collaboratively with Clinical staff in solutions-oriented problem solving with the goal of providing quality patient care.
• For safety and security reasons, the MA is responsible for knowing the whereabouts of a patient any time the patient is in clinical areas. In the event a patient or clinic emergency, the MA may be called to activate the proper 'code', assisting provider(s) and clinical staff with the appropriate emergency response. In the event of evacuation, the MA will assist in the evacuating of patients being seen by her/his provider(s) as scheduled.
• Performs general clerical duties in support of patient services according to the needs of the clinic and as directed by Clinical Supervisor, Office Manager and provider(s). These include but are not limited to answering phones, distributing fax log, registering and scheduling new patients, and checking in patients as needed.
• Attends staff and medical meetings, as required.
• Acts in capacity as interpreter, only if certified to do so as needed.
• Performs additional duties, as assigned by Clinical Manager and in support of quality assurance and improvement.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Excellent communication skills at level necessary for taking patients' medical histories, understanding provider and supervisors' instructions, and for accurately documenting patients' medical information.
• Ability to effectively communicate with patient population and staff while demonstrating a high degree of diplomacy and tact.
• Beginner to intermediate computing and phone skills.
• Willingness to work past the end of shift to ensure patient care and safety; demonstrates flexibility in regards to job duties and assignments with a willingness to travel to necessary office locations
• Ability to multi-task and work effectively in a high-stress and fast-moving environment.
• Culturally sensitive and demonstrated ability and effectiveness working with ethnically diverse populations.
• Working knowledge of "Universal Precautions," demonstrates professionalism at all times.
• Possess a thorough understanding of the importance of confidentiality and non-disclosure according to the general standards set forth by HIPAA.
• Bilingual English/Spanish and/or other languages strongly preferred.
• Valid Massachusetts Driver's License, insurance, and ability to travel as required to perform duties.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• High school Graduate (or GED) required.
• Current, valid Certification of Medical Assistant through a nationally recognized accrediting agency such as the AAMA or RMA.
• Current, valid CPR certification.
• Familiarity with community / service area.
• Previous experience as Medical Assistant in a profit setting highly desirable.