Certified or Registered Medical Assistant

Medical Assistant (CMA or RMA preferred)

• 36-38 hours/week – 4 day workweek
• FLSA Non-exempt
• Hourly wage from $16.29 for non-certified, and higher based on experience, training, and certification
• Candidate review begins 1/5/2023 - position open until filled
• Candidates must pass a criminal background check to be eligible for employment.

 
Position Summary:Under the general direction of the Lead Nurse, a Medical Assistant (MA) is responsible for supporting administrative and direct patient care duties within designated care teams as assigned.  The MA's task work will be directed by provider teams and they will be clinically supervised by the Lead Nurse/COO. Position Requirements:

• Education: Completion or ability to complete a medical assistant training program required
• License/Certification: Current CMA or RMA certificate preferred
• Experience: Prior experience is preferred, Prior experience with EPIC helpful

 Job Requirements:

• If not certified at the time of hire, the ability to obtain certification within a period of no longer than what is required by the State of Montana
• Must maintain CPR certification while employed as a Medical Assistant
• The ability to carry out functions of a CMA or RMA
• The ability to operate a computer system and apply basic computer skills
• The ability to become proficient in the use of EHR/EMR program
• The ability to communicate effectively with patients and staff
• Possess and apply the skills necessary to effectively treat patients of all age groups, regardless of the special needs of the patient
• Perform duties in a manner that is both professional and compassionate
• Apply knowledge in a manner that allows the needs of each provider and therefore each patient to be met

Essential Functions, Roles, and ResponsibilitiesPatient Check-in:

• Identify the patient by asking for name and date of birth (two identifiers)
• Take vital signs and document them in electronic medical records (EMR)
• Review medication profile and document appropriately in EMR
• Review allergies
• Review and discuss patient’s tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drug use
• Review and document disease collaborative items as necessary
• Perform standing order or pre-ordered labs, weight checks, foot exams, and patient education as appropriate to each individual patient
• Assist the patient in setting self-management goals using the intake form as a guide. Document goals in Epic
• Complete, document, and review patient history in EMR

Appointment Scheduling:

• Schedule appointments in EPIC for the care team you are assigned in accordance with SWMTCHC policy and procedure
• Accuracy is crucial
• Referrals to outside agencies for testing or specialist care
• Maintain tracking of referrals or collaborate with team members to ensure referral tracking completed

Lab and Other Procedures:

• Perform venipuncture to obtain lab specimens—this includes completing electronic orders, using correct vials, labeling, sliding fee minimum requirements
• Able to instruct patients on obtaining urine or stool samples
• Perform CLIA-waived tests performed at the SWMTCHC, electronic order entry, and enter/edit results
• Perform EKG according to procedure, order entry, provider review, and appropriate filing for scanning
• Wound dressing following assessment by a licensed professional

Nursing Home: (for specific providers only) 

• Maintain templates, correspondence, and communication for patient
• Keep the visit schedule organized by using an Excel spreadsheet
• Keep Nursing Home up to date with accurate documentation of encounters 
• Complete billing cards from Nursing Home visits 
• Review nursing home faxes and phone calls for action needed

Medications: 

• Fax/electronically send signed prescriptions to the appropriate pharmacy
• Update medication lists as directed by the team
• Medication refills following completion of training, competency assessment, and sign-off by medical director

Communications with Patients:

• Mails out normal lab or other test results per provider instruction
• Per physician direction, communicates with patients by phone, mail correspondence, or MyChart

Medication Administration:

• May administer the following medications as directed by a provider:
• Oral
• Sublingual
• Inhalation
• Intramuscular (including immunizations)
• Topical
• Ocular
• Subcutaneous
• Rectal

Continuum of Care Responsibilities:

• Review medical tests received by the clinic 
• Checks in tests with date stamp and signature
• Bring urgent/emergent test results to the provider immediately
• Return patient phone calls during the shift they are received (within one business day of receipt)
• Answer patients’ questions or direct them to the appropriate resource
• Prioritize patient needs by gathering data and using that information to make an appropriate decision regarding care or referral of the patient
• Keep patients informed about the status of appointment time if the provider is running behind, and offer options if the patient is anxious or unable to wait
• Keep medical provider focused on tasks:  patient visits, electronic signing of encounters, providing AVS and care plans, signing off paper labs/test results, completing result notes for electronic lab results, hospital communications, nursing home follow-up calls, meetings
• Productivity goal: The medical team will see 20-24 pts in an 8-hour shift

Miscellaneous Duties:  

• Autoclave instruments per procedure
• Maintain autoclave equipment
• Stock rooms with exam supplies and paper supplies on a weekly basis
• Maintain Breast and Cervical Program paperwork and patient notification per procedure
• Assist Float position and/or incoming phone calls
• Population management and outreach for preventive and chronic care services using Epic registry functions
• Meets pre-visit planning and huddle responsibilities according to established procedure

Medical Assistants cannot perform medical tasks in which the medical assistant is not qualified by education, training, knowledge, and skill to perform in keeping with the standard of medical care. 

Examples include but are not limited to: 

• Uncertified or unregistered Medical Assistants employed at SWMTCHC cannot perform administration of medications or immunizations.  Must be in a formal educational program and performing clinical rotations.
• IVs: no insertion, discontinuation monitoring, or administering IV medications.
• Allergy testing or allergy shot administration.
• Triage or examine patients to decide the severity of illness or treatment plan.
• The MA is not permitted to triage, interpret, or diagnose symptoms or test results and requires physician/provider direction when relaying messages or returning phone calls.  The MA can perform duties as communicated to them by nursing staff and is under the supervision of the medical director. 
• The MA cannot determine medication adjustments for patients about changing their medications or give advice regarding medications without direction.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Possess and apply the skills necessary to effectively treat patients of all age groups, regardless of the special needs of the patient
• Perform duties in a manner that is both professional and compassionate
• Apply knowledge in a manner that allows the needs of each provider and therefore each patient to be met
• Competent in dealing with diverse populations
• Flexibility of scheduling to accommodate the needs of the organization 
• Knowledge of health record keeping 
• Basic computer skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to organize and prioritize tasks
• Ability to work under pressure
• Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work independently and as a team member

 Legal Concepts:

• Practices with the scope of education, training, and personal capabilities
• Follows federal, state, and local legal guidelines; follows license criteria when licensure applies
• Maintains HIPAA compliance - The Medical Assistant will have access to PHI during the course of his/her activities. The Medical Assistant will use this information to prepare both patients and medical records for visits with the provider and keep the flow of work going smoothly in the clinic. Applying the minimum necessary standard of HIPAA, the designated records sets to which this employee will have access include the full medical records and the scheduling and demographics functions of the practice management system.
• Maintains OSHA compliance
• Reports any evidence of abuse or neglect to the provider or appropriate official 

Supervision: This position has no supervisory responsibilitiesImmediate Supervisor:  Lead Nurse; in their absence, COO Physical Demands/Working Conditions:  Based on the needs of the organization, some positions require a set schedule, others require flexibility.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk or hear, use hands to finger, handle, or operate objects, tools, or controls, reach with hands and arms, and stand, walk, stoop, kneel, or bend. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 25 pounds; Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.  Shifts are scheduled during clinic hours of M-F 8 am-7 pm.  Some schedules may require occasional Saturdays or Sundays for coverage. OSHA Classification I:  Normal work routine involves potential for mucous membrane or skin contact with blood and/or body fluids; use of appropriate protective measures is required.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required 

About Southwest Montana Community Health Center:

Southwest Montana Community Health Center is a mission-driven, non-profit Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). FQHCs are community-based healthcare providers that receive funding from the Federal government to provide comprehensive primary care services in underserved areas. FQHCs provide care to all individuals, regardless of their ability to pay, and offer a sliding fee discount based on income. FQHCs must meet certain requirements to receive funding, such as providing services to medically underserved areas or populations, offering a comprehensive set of primary care services, and having a governing board that includes patients. Southwest Montana Community Health Center is a recognized National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH). PCMH designation is gained by meeting certain standards set by the NCQA. These standards include providing comprehensive, coordinated care, using evidence-based practices, and engaging patients in their care. Community health centers that receive PCMH designation are recognized for providing high-quality, patient-centered care that improves health outcomes and reduces costs. PCMH is our model of primary care that emphasizes care coordination, communication, and patient engagement to improve the quality of care and patient outcomes. The PCMH model encourages providers to work as a team to coordinate and manage care for patients, provide timely access to care, and use evidence-based practices to improve outcomes. The PCMH model also emphasizes the importance of patient engagement, providing patients with the tools and resources they need to take an active role in their own health care. We opened our doors in 1986 under the name Butte-Silver Bow Primary Healthcare Clinic Inc. Our main clinic is in Butte, Montana, and we have locations in Dillon and Anaconda, Montana. We offer medical, dental, behavioral health, care management, pharmacy, and clinical pharmacy services to everyone. We accept most insurances and private-pay clients, as well as uninsured or underinsured clients. Our passion is to ensure that healthcare remains accessible and affordable to everyone. Our clinics care for more than 13,000 patients annually and employs more than 150 people in our various locations.

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