Medical Office Assistant

Brief Description
MAIN FUNCTION:
Performs a variety of medical office support services for Outpatient Services. Primarily responsible for routine office functions, preparation of billing forms, scheduling, insurance authorizations, preparation of surgical instrument trays and assistance at patient care activities not requiring direct physician supervision. Participates in a patient-centered care team that focuses on coordinated care for individual patients, supporting patients and families to manage population health, utilizing evidence-based methodologies. Reports to Outpatient Services -Director of Operations.

Duties And Responsibilities

• CHECK IN FUNCTIONS:
• Prepares daily schedule & distributes.
• Answers incoming calls courteously and efficiently-routes all medically related calls to appropriate care provider for further action.
• Prepares charts for appointment.
• Obtains & updates all patient demographic information.
• Sorts distributes mail according to office protocol.
• CHECK OUT FUNCTIONS:
• Makes all necessary appointments per provider instructions.
• Prepares orders for any testing.
• Obtains any needed prior authorizations.
• Provides patient with test instructions and education materials as appropriate.
• Documents all follow up and appointments in medical record.
• BILLING:
• Verifies demographic information and updates in computer.
• Ensures information on encounter forms is complete and accurate for billing department
• Tracks encounters and associates them with daily visits.
• PATIENT SUPPORT:
• Prepares patients for exam, procedures, takes vitals, etc.
• Prepares patients and performs phlebotomy as needed, if they have successfully completed the required Phlebotomy competence.
• Prepares surgical instruments, cleans and sends for sterilization according to protocol.
• Assists provider during exam, surgical procedure and suture removals as necessary.
• Under direct supervision of provider:
• Prescription renewals – medication reconciliation with each visit.

ii. Performs ancillary testing such as EKG, spirometry etc.

iii. Performs waived testing – has completed annual competency.

iv. Phones patient with any pertinent information – refers complex issues to nursing.

• Tracks outstanding results, referrals and authorizations.

vi. Follows protocol for disposing of regulated wastes.

• Works closely with office patient care coordinator/office patient case manager and other members of the care team to assure patient receives appropriate education, referrals, medications, and preventative care to optimize patient health.
• MEDICAL DOCUMENTATION:
• Transcribes notes (when applicable) and updates medical records.
• Files/scans results according to protocol.
• Processes all medical records requests according to protocol.
• CARE TEAM PARTICIPATION:
• Participates in processes that promote a functional care team, including periodic team meetings and electronic messaging.
• Participates in the practice's performance evaluation and quality assurance activities.
• OTHER:
• Assists Administrator, provider(s), nurse(s) and other staff with other practice related functions.
• Maintains professional behavior and appearance.
• Functions with awareness for safety of patients, co-workers and self (i.e. OSHA compliance).
• Is responsible for attending all annual mandatory educational programs and participates in the process as appropriate.
• Merit Fair, including a module on population health, in which patients' needs are proactively addressed to optimize the overall health of the population.

ii. Effective patient communication, particularly with vulnerable populations, eg. Patient coaching and motivational interviewing.

iii. AIDET (acknowledge, introduce, duration, explain thank you), which fosters effective communication with patients.

• Patient-Centeredness: Employee understands and demonstrates the importance of satisfying the needs of the customer/patient by interacting with him/her in a friendly and caring way, being attentive to the customer's needs, both psychologically and physically, and by taking the initiative to maintain communication with the customer in order to provide a secure and pleasant experience with the Medical Center.
• It is understood that this list is typical duties for the classification and is not to be considered inclusive of all duties which may be assigned.

Education
EDUCATION:
High school graduate and completion of one year training as Medical Assistant preferred.

Experience
Minimum three years experience as a Medical Office Assistant preferred. Experience with coding helpful.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (cpr) Requirements
Basic Life Support (BLS) required within 90 days of hire date.

Physical Demands
Light physical effort. Typical office job.

Exposure Category
Category I. Tasks that involve exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues.