Lead Medical Assistant

Lead Medical Assistant

When you join the growing BILH team, you're not just taking a job, you're making a difference in people's lives.

The Lead Medical Assistant is an allied health professional who works under the guidance of the clinical and administrative leadership of a single or multiple practices. He/she services as a mentor and support to other medical assistants, student externs and any other non-licensed practice staff within and across assigned practices. In addition to the expanded lead role, he/she performs all the required functions of a Medical Assistant demonstrating proficiency in assigned clinical responsibilities, as well as serving as a role model for promoting excellent care with compassion, maintaining effective and efficient workflows and interacting with patients, families and other colleagues in a friendly manner promoting excellent patient experiences.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities (including but not limited to):

• Serves as a role model and mentor providing support, training, direction and sharing of knowledge to other Medical Assistants, student externs and any other non-licensed staff within the assigned practice(s). May provide direction and oversight for compliance and regulatory matters, referring issues to the Practice Manager.
• Acts as a lead person in daily operations of the office. Researches, priorities and follows-up on incoming issues and concerns addressed to Practice Manager, including those of a sensitive and confidential nature. Works closely with the Manager, or their designee, to determine the appropriate course of action, referral or response. Serves as liaison with other administrative staff across the MAH administrative and clinical departments as requested. Works to effectively improved and maintain patient access.
• Responsible for working closely with the Practice Manager(s), physicians, nursing staff and other clinical providers to ensure the effective and efficient flow of patients.
• Takes the lead on supporting other non-licensed staff with changes in workflow, computer systems and office process changes. Works closely with the Practice Manager(s) to identify training needs to support the development of team members providing a safe environment to both provide and receive care.
• Completes pre-visit planning which may include, but not be limited to the review of clinical assessments, Health Care Proxy statuses, immunization statuses, ensuring test results and consult reports are received and available and understands the patient's purpose for the appointment.
• Receives and prepares patients for exams:
• Greets patients warmly and professionally
• Identifies patients using second identifier at all times
• Determines if there is an acute medical need and responds accordingly
• Records pertinent patient information into Epic per practice protocol. This can include but not be limited to chief complaint, updated medications, allergies, problem list updates, recent hospitalizations/ER visits and updating medical history.
• Performs medical assisting duties with may include, but not be limited to, vital signs, height and weight, EKGs phlebotomy, pulse oximetry, spirometry, dressing changes, suture removal and assisting during other specialized testing or procedures.
• Maintains exam rooms, equipment and inventory levels in clinical areas between patient and at the end of each day.
• Ensures equipment, instruments and diagnostic equipment are sanitized and in good working order. Replenish stock as needed
• Completes and maintains calibration records and logs
• Follows established policies and OSHA guidelines for cleaning and disposing of all hazardous materials including blood and bodily fluid spills
• Assists the provider with office-based clinical procedures and exams. Serves as a chaperone as requested. These may include pap smears, cultures, suturing and/or biopsies. May reposition patient, assist provider with specimen collection, and properly labels and logs specimens and test for sending out to labs.
• Completes point of care office-based testing including but not limited to IFOB, INR, Glucose, A1C, Urinalysis, HGC, etc. as ordered.
• Performs and logs quality control testing on all office based test kits as recommended by manufacturer.
• Collects specimen and performs office-based testing following kit instructions
• Documents results and associated charges and reports results to provider and/or patient as per departmental workflows
• Follows up as instructed by provider
• Administers medications and injections, subcutaneous and intramuscular as ordered by the provider. Documents all activity in patient's electronic record.
• Reconciles patient care logs periodically (weekly or monthly) to ensure all tests have been completed and results received.
• Researches and follows up on all incomplete entries
• Reschedules patients as needed
• Documents follow up activities
• Notifies provider of missed appointment and tests
• Coordinates and assists with scheduling and tracking of outside tests, procedures and referrals to specialists for consultation and management.
• Schedules and/or assists patients with patients with scheduling of outside tests, procedures, and consultations as ordered by the provider. Documents activities in the patient's record
• Provides patient education materials and instructions. Assists with transportation arrangements
• Ensures that referrals and/or prior authorizations, and other documentation needed are in place if needed. Initiates them when necessary
• Documents activities. Logs and tracks as per department protocol.
• Follows up with patient and/or provider if test, procedure, or consultation is not completed within established time period or if patient declines or cannot comply with testing
• Tracks results and consult letters to ensure that they are received by the provider.
• Facilitates and assists with patient communication.
• Receives calls and messages on the provider's behalf. Screens and prioritizes calls and portal messages. Includes pertinent information as needed (ex: requested lab result information).
• Returns patient calls on the provider's behalf as requested to provide information, education, or communicate advice
• Release results (by phone, letter, or portal) and coordinate follow up
• Reviews daily missed appointments (cancellations and no-shows) with provider. Ensures that patients who need to reschedule are contacted and rescheduled.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school graduate or GED. Minimum of 2-3 years of experience demonstrating proficiency in all areas of Medical Assisting.
• Demonstrated MA competencies acquired through any one of the following: MA Certificate, Associates Degree in Medical Assisting, EMT, PCT, nursing student with one clinical rotation, home health aide experience or physician assistant program candidates.
• Must demonstrate strong customer and interpersonal relationships with all patients, family members, staff and providers.
• Must be able to demonstrate both a willingness and competency to train, mentor and guide others assigned practices.
• Experience with computer systems and web based applications is needed. EPIC experience is a plus
• Must be certified in CPR.
• Phlebotomy skills helpful.

Physical Requirements & Environment:

• Job requires physical stamina; many hours/day on the feet.
• All staff are expected to cross train and help each other when needed.
• Must be able to lift up to 10lbs with some frequency.
• Must be able to position patients for specific procedures and exams.
• Mount Auburn Hospital employees must be able to readily adjust to change and handle a rapid-paced environment and the stresses associated with that, while continuing to provide high-quality, efficient service.

Pay Range:

$23.15 - $31.16

The pay range listed for this position is the base hourly wage range the organization reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for this position at this time. Actual compensation is determined based on several factors, that may include seniority, education, training, relevant experience, relevant certifications, geography of work location, job responsibilities, or other applicable factors permissible by law. Compensation may exceed the base hourly rate depending on shift differentials, call pay, premium pay, overtime pay, and other additional pay practices, as applicable to the position and in accordance with the law.

As a health care organization, we have a responsibility to do everything in our power to care for and protect our patients, our colleagues and our communities. Beth Israel Lahey Health requires that all staff be vaccinated against influenza (flu) as a condition of employment.