Medical Assistant

Medical AssistantPerforms clinic support in both the clinical and administrative areas:In the clinical area the practice assistant, under the direction and supervision of a licensed Nurse or Provider, and in accordance with hospital policies, procedures, protocols, and standards of practice participates in the delivery of patient care.In the administrative area the practice assistant gathers patient information for registration, schedules appointments, verifies demographic and financial information and assists in the facilitation of patient flow throughout the ambulatory setting.Position: Medical AssistantDepartment: OtolaryngologySchedule: Per diemEssential Responsibilities / Duties:Delivers care in a non-judgmental, non-discriminatory manner that is sensitive to and demonstrates respect for patients. Duties include:Clinical Support: Under the direction of the licensed Nurse or Provider, performs a variety of appropriately delegated patient care interventions for patients and their families.Collaborates with the licensed Nurse/clinic manager, as a member of the interdisciplinary team throughout the shift to determine appropriate work assignment and priorities, as well as communicates status of delegated task completion and outcome of patient data findings. Maintains timely ongoing verbal communication.Monitors patient flow including waiting room activity and communicating wait time updates to patients. Informs nursing staff, technical staff and/or supervisor of arrival of patients.Conducts pre-visit chart review and preparations for upcoming visits, including:Identification and documentation of patient care needs based on clinic guidelines and protocols (e.g. live interpreter needs, Hoyer-lift).Enters order for labs and tests to be completed at upcoming visit per clinic guidelines and protocols.Greets patient in waiting room and escorts to exam roomUses recognized and accurate medical terminology and abbreviations for all documentation, avoiding the use of unapproved abbreviations, per Hospital policy.Assists with intake process in the following areas as determined by departmental needs:Checks two patients identifiersAccurately collects and documents in the medial records vital signs, chief complaint/reason for visit, and medical/family/social historyEnter allergies and smoking statusDocuments current medications and prescriptions that need to be renewedObtains immunization records/history, and enters findings into patient medical recordInstructs patient on how to prepare for the provider (assisting as necessary)Anticipates/sets up special equipment and/or supplies needed for visitAdministers preventative/population health management screens and questionnaires (e.g. PHQ2 and other behavioral health screens) and records in medical record.Arranges refills information for provider approvalDownloads glucometer and other device data for provider reviewAlerts the provider when patient is ready and communicates abnormalities in findings (e.g. elevated temperature )Complies with department documentation standards to ensure a complete and accurate patient recordUpdate patient pharmacy informationCollects, labels, sends and may deliver specimens with appropriate laboratory slips and or requisitions.Identifies emergency/crisis situations and initiates appropriate response actions within the scope of his/her role, including immediate communication of such events to the licensed Nurse/Physician.Under direction of the licensed nurse or designee maintains competence of tasks and performs tasks in relation to a variety of technical skills which may include but are not limited to:Cast/splint careGuaiac, sugar and acetone, urine pHGlucose finger stickApplication of external monitorsGU irrigation set upRoutine EKGsHearing TestPOCT (i.e. glucometer, pregnancy test, etc.)Peak flowVisual acuityVital signsOxygen saturation by pulse oximeterPersonal patient glucometer downloadsLeg/girth measurementsBiopsy set upProcedure tray set upUrine culture prepSimple dressing changes eg. DSDSuture removalSpecimen CollectionPhlebotomyProvides basic skin care, including but not limited to: application of heat and cold, diabetic foot care, application of elastic stockings, and ace wraps.Uses Universal precautions, performs wound care inclusive of simple dressing changes and saline irrigations. Must arrange for Registered Nurse to be present for wound assessment with each dressing change.Assists licensed nurse/health team members with various minor procedures limited to set up and breakdown of simple sterile procedure (e.g. sterile biopsy). Draping and prepping patient under the direction of the licensed nurse or provider, including but not limited to:Endometrial biopsyIUD insertion and removalPelvic examIncision and drainagePunch biopsyColonoscopySuprapubic tube changesProvides basic patient equipment care including but not limited to: changing hearing aid batteries, applying splints/prostheses, etc.Helps to complete patient visit:Prints disposition forms and patient education materialsAssists with staging selected prior authorization for medication or supplies needed under the direction of nurse manager or designeeStrictly adheres to isolation procedures as initiated by licensed personnel.Performs initial cleaning/decontamination of equipment/materials and instruments.Checks inventories, and restocks, replaces, assembles patient equipment and supplies.Utilize the care teams population health management registry or other applicable database for preventative care outreach, including:Review of patient dataReminding patients of test/screening needs (i.e. by phone, letter)Prints and displays care team registry data or other applicable database dataRestocks, replaces assembles patient equipment and supplies ordered by Nurse Manager and/or designee. Responsible for alerting licensed nurse, manager or designee of broken, or otherwise non-functional supplies or equipment. Prepares supply order form.Understand, respect and demonstrate patient confidentiality in all endeavors.Performs other duties as neededAdvanced Clinical Activities:The list below is not an all-inclusive list, but illustrates the nature and scope of some tasks/procedures that a Practice Assistant in a Specialty clinic may 1) assist with or, 2) perform. These procedures may require specific training (typically provided by a BMC staff member or vendor training).Some procedures may require special certification. Some examples of these tasks/procedures are:Assist with:Chronic wound treatment (e.g. assist in wound graft)MOHS surgeryExcisional surgeryLaser treatmentCool/Sculpting treatmentOther Cosmetic Procedures (e.g. peels, fillers)Urodynamic studiesFlow rate/voiding trialsLow-dye tapingPhototherapy and PUVAPerform:Suture RemovalsPhlebotomyClerical Support: Performs all duties associated with an Ambulatory Services Representative, including but not limited to registration, scheduling, and collecting co-payments.Gathers and/or assist patients with registration information at every visit. Ensures accurate data entry and updates data into the computer system. Data includes demographic, billing data and patient payment information.Verifies third-party insurance coverage for patients, including day of service and whether prior approval for service is necessary for proper reimbursement of services rendered. Obtains this approval whenever it is necessary, and enters into the hospital billing system appropriatelyFollow internal collection and cash control policies by informing patients of their financial obligations, collecting payment (deposits,