medical assistant

Status: Full Time

Shift: 8am-5pm M-F

Exempt: No

Summary:

JOB PURPOSE:

The Medical Assistant purpose is to provide a positive patient experience in a confidential and compliant manner while performing basic patient care. The contribution of the Medical Assistant (MA) to the clinic health care team ensures optimal patient flow through the health care delivery system.

Other information:

FACTORS RELATING TO THE JOB

A. Experience, Knowledge and Skill

1. Previous Experience Required:

Previous clinic job-related experience preferred.

2. Specialized or Technical Education Required:

High school diploma or equivalent. Maintain BLS certification. Meet one of the following requirements:

• Complete a Medical Assistant program.

• Nursing Program (LPN, RN).

• 3 years of experience as a Medical Assistant in an ambulatory clinical setting.

• Enrollment in an accredited Nursing program and completion of first clinical rotation.

• Certified Clinical Medical Assistant

3. Manual or Physical Skill Required:

Must be capable of assisting with the lifting and moving of patients. Must have knowledge of appropriate body mechanics. Must be capable of prolonged standing and walking.

4. Physical Effort Required:

Strength: Medium Push: Occasionally Pull: Occasionally

Carry: Occasionally Lift: Occasionally Sit: Occasionally

Stand: Frequently Walk: Frequently

B. Work Complexities

1. Complexity and Difficulty of Work:

Must be able to satisfactorily perform clinical functions as indicated in this job description. Must be able to work efficiently and cheerfully in a busy environment with a high level of patient contact. Must possess the maturity necessary for establishing and maintaining a good work relationship with patients, family, physicians, and other staff members.

2. Seriousness of Errors.

Errors in performance of patient care procedures could result in serious consequences to patient well-being and safety. Failure to report unusual physical and emotional patient problems immediately could result in serious harm to patient well-being.

C. Working Conditions

1. Hazards:

Contact with blood and body fluids. Must have a thorough knowledge of infection control procedures and Universal Precaution techniques.

2. Adverse Working Conditions:

Must be able to maintain cheerful, positive attitude while performing duties in a high volume practice.

D. Contacts

1. Contacts with Customers, the General Public or Other Companies:

Extensive contact with patients, patient family members, physicians employer groups and the community.

2. Contacts with Other Departments:

Significant contact with other departments.

E. Responsibilities:

1. Responsibility for the safety of others:

Responsible for following all policies and procedures to assist in maintaining a safe environment.

2. Responsibility for Company Funds or Property:

Maintain all equipment in the office in a conscientious manner thereby ensuring that all equipment is in proper working order.

3. Responsibility for Confidential Information:

Safeguard and preserve confidentiality of medical records and patient information at all times. All conversations regarding patients or patient's information are to be conducted with discretion and with confidentiality in mind. Follow HIPAA privacy standards.

4. Responsibility for Performance of Work without immediate supervisor:

Must be motivated self-starter able to perform well with minimal direct supervision. Must be able to function productively as part of the overall clinic health care team. A supervisor / coordinator / director will be available to give advice or instructions as needed. Work is subject to review at any time.

5. Responsibility for the Supervision of Others:

None

Responsibilities:

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

1. Enthusiastically greets patients presenting to the office, while maintaining a courteous and professional demeanor.

2. Performs MA functions such as intake, discharge, telephone messaging, medication administration, result reporting, authorizations and assisting with in-office procedures.

3. Properly address patients in the waiting room and escort them to the screening area/exam room ensuring to verify their identity against the patient's record prior to documenting.

4. Properly identifies patient during each transition of care by stating "for your safety, will you state your name and date of birth". Upon validation of the information against the patient record the transition can proceed.

5. Obtain and record patient's weight, height and vital signs and document them into the patient's record.

6. Performs medication reconciliation by reviewing them with the patient by stating the medication listed in the patient record as well as the strength, route and frequency. Any medications the patient is taking but not currently listed will be added to the medication list with all previously listed details. Any medications listed that the patient states they are NOT taking will be marked as not taking.

7. Review the patient's past medical, social, surgical and family history by listing what is recorded in the chart first and updating the information as the patient indicates, including adding any new information prior to marking the items as reviewed.

8. Educates and assist patient with MyChart sign up.

9. Ensures patient/caregiver is comfortable in the exam room prior to exiting.

10. Performs any in-office testing, including CLIA waived testing. Labeling of in-office testing per protocol.

11. May be required to perform venipuncture and labeling of specimens prior to transport outside of the clinic to designated laboratory.

12. Reviews and discusses the After Visit Summary (AVS) with the patient and/or caregiver. Emphasis will be made regarding any medication changes or future orders. All AVS and discharge paperwork is to be initialed and reviewed to ensure information is being released to the correct patient.

13. Cleans and disinfects the patient treatment area as well as any reusable equipment per NOPG policy and procedure after each patient encounter.

14. Assist with ordering, stocking and maintaining supplies within the clinic utilizing authorized vendors through material services.

15. Performs quality controls as indicated within the clinic.

16. Obtain and appropriately documents authorization in the designated (auth/cert or referral) workqueue for required testing, procedures, and/or referrals as required.

17. Able to adequately maintain the workques related to referrals and scheduling of orders. The MA will insure all testing that is canceled or rescheduled is completed per provider's order or that he/she is actively communicating with patients and providers when testing is not completed as expected and the order updated appropriately.

18. Manages and collaborates with providers on intake of clinical calls as well as result reporting and/or refill request.

19. Maintains skills and is able to works side by side with the provider to ensure the patient face to face encounters are completed from intake to discharge.

20. Manages full in-basket functionality including assistance with provider's in-basket completion related specifically to non-informational items such as result review, open charts, incomplete notes and open encounters.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Performs as a team member and serves on teams/committees as requested.

2. May provide vaccine management including ordering and monitoring vaccine usage/wastage, facilitating the maintenance of the vaccines, participating in educational opportunities, utilizing the CDC guidelines as well as standard protocol for immunization management as indicated by Louisiana Immunization Network, and completing reportable documentation as recommended by Louisiana Department of State Health Services.

3. Has complete understanding of the procedural and medication authorization process. Maintains logins and teaches others how to perform authorizations.

4. Assist physicians and other staff members, as needed.

5. Issue physician's excuse for school/work as directed by the provider.

6. Communicate effectively by expressing ideas clearly, actively listening and always following appropriate channel of communication. Demonstrate responsiveness to others ensuring a complete follow up on matters requiring additional attention.

7. Follow any other job-related instructions and perform any other job-related duties as requested by department management.

8. Consistently attend monthly staff meetings.

9. Follow associated North Oaks Health System and North Oaks Physician Group compliance programs and federal and state regulatory guidelines.

10. Performs other duties within the scope of unlicensed personnel as assigned.