Medical Assistant

Job Description

Job Description

The Medical Assistant is a professional multi-skilled person dedicated to assisting in all aspects of medical practice under the direct supervision and responsibility of a physician. This practitioner assists with patient care management and executes administrative and clinical procedures. Competence in the field also requires that a medical assistant adhere to ethical and legal standards of professional practice, recognize and respond to emergencies and demonstrate professional characteristics.

Clinical Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision and responsibility of a licensed physician, a medical assistant may undertake the following duties:

o Perform clinical procedures to include:

o Performing aseptic procedures

o Taking vital signs

o Preparing patients for the physicians care

o Performing venipunctures and non-intravenous injections

o Observing and reporting patients signs or symptoms

o Administering basic first aid

o Assisting with patient examinations or treatments

o Operating office medical equipment

o Collecting routine laboratory specimens as directed by the physician

o Administering medication as directed by the physician ( Exception: medications requiring dosage calculation)

o Performing basic laboratory procedures

o Performing office procedures including all general administrative duties required by the physician

If a licensed physician is not on-site, a medical assistant is prohibited from performing the following:

o Nursing activities that include the use of the nursing process and require the special knowledge, nursing judgment or skills of a registered or practical nurse, including:

o The initial nursing assessment or any subsequent assessments 

o Prohibited from completing Review of Systems in the EMR

o Prohibited from performing injections (medication and/or vaccines)

o Prohibited from administering medication(s)

Medical Assistant

o Prohibited from performing aseptic procedures including wound care, dressing changes, etc.

o The determination of the nursing diagnosis or interpretations of nursing assessments

o Establishment of the nursing care goals and development of the plan of care

o Evaluation of progress in relationship to the plan of care

o Those activities for which the unlicensed assistive personnel has not demonstrated competence

Additional Position Expectations and Responsibilities

o Act as first level contact for the providers and support staff in trouble shooting issues

o Ensure patients are properly check-in for clinical visits via Electronic Medical Record (EMR) 

o Ensure patients are properly checked-out after every clinical visit and depart with required paperwork

o Schedule patients? appointments following company protocol

o Ensures patient documentation is fully completed and recorded via the Electronic Medical Record (EMR)

o Ensures that external third party documentation (i.e. labs, reports, consultations) are collected and sent to scan as appropriate

o Expected to complete 48-hour chart check and contacts patient/referral providers if further information is needed

o Expected to answer phones, check and returns voicemail messages in a timely manner

o Expected to respond to all correspondence and tasks (via letter, email, fax) in a timely manner

o Expected to have knowledge of standard (universal) precautions

o Expected to be able to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence and memos

o Expected to be proficient in all computer software utilized for patient care

o Expected to participate as part of a multi-disciplinary team, within the scope of practice to provide patient care and other patient need in a safe, timely manner

o Expected to complete all necessary documentation, department logs and reports

o Expected to keep unit clean, restock rooms as needed, and assist with ordering supplies

o Expected to communicate effectively with all members of the patient care team

o Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

o High school diploma or general education degree (GED) required

o Completion of Medical Assistant training is required

o Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certificate is required

o Must have good written and verbal communication skills

o Computer knowledge

Medical Assistant 

Preferred Qualifications

o At least one year of related work experience

o Certification by the American Association of Medical Assistants 

o Registered by the American Medical Technologists

o Bilingual (English-Spanish or English-Haitian Creole) a plus

Physical Requirements

o Ability to stand, walk or view a computer screen for extended periods of time

o Ability to use hands and fingers to handle or feel

o Ability to reach with hands or arms

o Ability to perform repetitive hand and wrist motions for extended periods of time

o Ability to effectively talk and listen to patients

Relationship Reporting

Reports to the Clinical Manager