Medical Assistant I

Minimum Qualifications:

High School or equivalent. Certified or Registered Medical Assistant or graduate of an approved Medical Assistant program. CPR Certification is required.

Job Summary:

To provide technical, supportive, age-specific, and developmentally appropriate patient care functions for assigned clinical areas.

Job Duties:

• Assists with patient flow within the assigned outpatient clinic setting.

o Respond in a timely manner to call lights.

o Provides comfort measures to the patient/family.

• Performs technical and supportive patient care skills, incorporating the patient's plan of care and following approved policy and procedure.

o Obtains vital signs. Appropriately document the chief complaint and reason for the visit.

o Uses aseptic techniques and infection control measures in the performance of duties.

o Accurately collects excretory specimens, such as urine and feces.

o Obtains blood samples by venipuncture.

o Accurately performs tests, such as basic urine chemistry using chemical strips, guaiac, Ph, blood glucose, UPT, and hemocult.

o Measures and records intake and output as ordered.

o Prepares and assists patients undergoing treatments, examinations, and procedures.

o Recognizes patient care priorities, treatment plans, objectives, and potential crises.

o Under the direction of the physician, provides other treatments and care to patients appropriate to training, as assigned.

o Recognizes and communicates patient needs and unusual occurrences with patients/families.

• The MA will refill patient medications as requested, using the guidelines for the prescribing physician/provider in their assigned area and in accordance with policy C51, Prescription Refill Management for Ambulatory Care Services.

o Safely and properly administers medications as assigned.

• Accurately documents / communicates interventions and measurements.
• Communicates relevant information to the appropriate health care provider.
• Under supervision, completes accurate, concise, and legible documentation on patient clinic records.
• Assist with medication reconciliation as required.
• Assists in the maintenance of equipment, supplies, and the environment.
• Assists in maintaining a clean and safe environment.
• Checks equipment/supplies for expiration dates, electrical safety tags, intactness, and usability.
• Cleans equipment and returns it to its proper place.
• Reports equipment and supplies needing to be replaced or repaired.
• Stocks rooms, carts, cabinets, etc., as assigned/requested.
• Respects and supports patient rights.

o Serves as patient/family advocate.

o Practices principles of patient and employee confidentiality.

o Utilizes available resources and seeks assistance in dealing with ethical dilemmas, as appropriate.

• Practices positive customer peer relations.

o Consistently communicates in a professional and courteous manner.

o Reports and seeks assistance in dealing with guest complaints/concerns.

o Establishes and maintains a positive rapport with patients/family and co-workers.

o Consistently responds to customer requests/needs in an appropriate manner.

• Participates in and supports continuous quality improvement activities at the clinic / departmental level, as appropriate.
• Demonstrates acceptable productivity and practices cost containment.

o Prioritizes and completes all work in an effective and efficient manner.

o Demonstrates initiative, resourcefulness, and flexibility.

o Effectively and efficiently uses time, equipment, and supplies.

• Functions as an interdependent and supportive team member.

o Provides support and assistance, as appropriate.

o With direction, remains calm and purposeful and responds in an appropriate, professional manner in emergent or chaotic situations.

o Participates in clinic meetings/activities and supports the clinical, departmental, and organizational philosophy and goals.

o Accepts responsibility for own growth/development.

o Participates in in-service and ongoing education programs.

o Remains current on all in-service / education/credentials/certification requirements for the position, as appropriate.

o Exchanges constructive feedback with peers and others.

o Conducts self-evaluation and participates in developmental goal setting.

• Performs related duties as assigned.

Marginal Functions:

• Serves as a patient service specialist (PSS) at clinic on a periodic basis as required for St. Vincent's clinical operations and follows all the associated PSS expected standards of UTMB including creating a positive patient experience by consistently exceeding expectations in customer service and patient care, by coordinating clerical and medical activities of a healthcare team, patient registration activities, and facilitating access to UTMB services for new and returning patients.
• Provide backup frontline administrative support as needed.
• Provide other departmental administrative support as directed.

Working Schedule/Environment:

• The work environment is located in a comfortable indoor area.
• Conditions such as noise, odors, cramped workspace, and/or fumes could sometimes cause discomfort.
• Moderate to extreme physical effort may be required, such as walking, standing, performing CPR, and lifting materials, equipment, objects, and/or patients.
• Occasional lifting may be heavy and awkward, over 50 lbs.
• Vision, hearing, talking, and sense of touch abilities must be adequate to enable one to quickly and accurately perform tasks such as reading small print, reading from monitoring equipment, defining details, sending and receiving clear and accurate oral communications.
• Frequent periods of concentrated or focused attention will be needed to interpret visual, auditory, and sensory inputs.
• Rotating shifts may be required.
• Alertness and careful attention to detail will be required to avoid injury.
• May be exposed to such occupational hazards as communicable diseases, radiation, chemotherapeutic agents, and disoriented or combative patients.
• May be required to work extended shifts in situations deemed necessary by the Practice Coordinator or Director of Nursing.

Salary Range:

Actual salary commensurate with experience.

Equal Employment Opportunity

UTMB Health strives to provide equal opportunity employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law. As a Federal Contractor, UTMB Health takes affirmative action to hire and advance protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.