Medical Assistant Ambulatory

Medical Assistant

Reports to the Clinical or Practice Manager and/or the appropriate licensed professional: advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), registered nurse (RN), licensed practical nurse (LPN), physician, or physician assistant (PA) The Medical Assistant (MA) shall function in accordance with established policies and procedures, screens, collects vitals from patients in an Ambulatory setting. All essential functions performed in this position reflect the age-specific needs of the geriatric, adult, adolescent, and pediatric patient. Fosters patient and family-centered care and nursing services in accordance with Lifespan's mission, vision, values, with consideration of the life span, including all developmental stages as well as cultural patterns. This position requires fluency in English and Spanish. Brown University Health employees are expected to successfully role model the organization's values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence as these values guide our everyday actions with patients, customers and one another. In addition to our values, all employees are expected to demonstrate the core Success Factors which tell us how we work together and how we get things done. The core Success Factors include: Instill Trust and Value Differences Patient and Community Focus and Collaborate.

Responsibilities:

• Works effectively and respectfully at his/her highest capabilities and training.
• Follows the practice, clinic or office workflow protocols to maximize quality and efficiency.
• Performs pre-visit planning by reviewing and updating the patient record prior to the appointment with recent test results, consults, correspondence, etc., and determines needed services based on practice policies and procedures, screening tools and/or checklists.
• Communicates point-of-care needs, screenings, and other testing reminders to providers via the electronic medical record (EMR).
• Prepares patients for examination and treatment in accordance with their clinic specific workflow procedures, by escorting from the waiting area to the exam room.
• Measures vital signs including, but not limited to, height, weight blood pressure, pulse oximetry, respiration rate, heart rate, temperature, head circumference and all other age-appropriate information.
• Obtains patient's chief complaint, medical and family histories, pain score, and updated medications and documents in electronic medical record.
• Enters patient responses to all questionnaires and screenings per department procedures and records/reconciles in medical record.
• Records allergy information medications, medical, surgical, and family histories in the patient chart.
• Initiates pharmacy benefits verification. Checks for prescription refills pending.
• Reviews Health Maintenance and Chronic Illness services and performs/orders checklists, policies, and/or standing orders.
• Performs procedures such as EKG, pulmonary function tests, spirometry, sweat tests, ear lavage, dressing changes, equipment sterilization, and other procedures ordered and signed by a licensed independent practitioner.
• Collects non-invasive specimens such as urine, sputum, semen, and stool for point of care testing or for lab processing.
• Point of care tests may include hemoglobin A1C, glucose testing, urinalysis, urine HCG testing, rapid strep or influenza tests, any other point of care tests as certified by department.
• Assists physician with physical examinations.
• Performs all procedures using aseptic techniques, following standard procedures.
• Applies dental fluoride varnish per provider request.
• In accordance with approved hospital policies and regulations, may prepare and administer medications, including intramuscular, intradermal and subcutaneous vaccinations, as directed and ordered by a physician or other licensed provider.
• Schedules venipunctures or capillary blood punctures according to priority and type of test, such as timed studies.
• Utilizes computer generated collection labels and references Pathology Handbook as necessary to ensure collection of specimens is in accordance with established procedures, i.e. specimens are collected in proper containers and meet special collection requirements as appropriate.
• Duties are performed according to hospital policy and observance of universal precautions.
• Verifies and identifies patient following established procedures and proper patient preparation prior to specimen collection, such as fasting and special diet.
• Provides precise technical skills in obtaining blood samples from patient according to venipuncture or capillary puncture techniques.
• Alerts nursing staff, Clinical or Assistant Clinical Manager to any deviations from puncture or adverse patient condition.
• Labels, wraps (including appropriate documentation) and prepares samples/specimens for transportation.
• Enters patient's data and documents appropriately in the EMR.
• Ensures examination, procedure, or consult room is cleaned between each patient and set-up appropriately for next appointment.
• Completes appropriate follow-up up work after visit including, but not limited to, ensuring all blood and specimens are properly labeled, recorded and sent to lab.
• Follows up to ensure all lab results are entered in the medical record. Tracks orders and results. Contacts patients for outreach and reminders for labs/orders. Updates EMR with status.
• Reports all abnormal lab results to the appropriate licensed professional.
• Follows up on referrals for specialty care and/or other services. Tracks consult reports and ensures EMR is updated accordingly. Contacts patients for outreach and/or reminders for referrals.
• Thoroughly explains programs, procedures and correct preparation for various tests and exams to patients. Documents reported barriers. Schedules tests and follow-up appointments. Pre-registers patient for next visit. Verifies patient demographic and insurance information. Obtains prior authorizations as needed.
• Monitors and orders supplies and keeps room stocked. Cleans medical equipment. Reports broken or missing equipment to manager immediately. Ensures exam rooms are prepared for each patient. Checks expiration dates on medications and supplies, removes and reports expired medication to Practice or Clinic Management.
• Assists with administrative office duties. Mails reminders and other letters to patients. Makes telephone calls to patients as appointment reminders, appointment cancellations, and other appointment related outreach. Answers incoming calls. Returns phone calls to patients, physician offices and other medical providers such as laboratory and radiology facilities. Greets arriving patients and verifies pertinent information and physician using the online billing system. Orients patients to the specific outpatient center as a hospital-based service. Responsible for verifying accurate demographic data, insurance authorization information, copayment amounts or other patient balances. Photocopies front and back of insurance card. Contacts third party payors to obtain required pre-authorizations in accordance with established policies.
• Interacts effectively with patients and their family members. Manages time effectively. Fills slow periods with activities to prepare for future needs. Minimizes non-productive time. Maintains quality assurance, safety, environmental, and infection control in accordance with established hospital department policies, procedures, and objectives. Protects and preserves the patient's right to privacy and confidentiality. Maintains a positive attitude and actively engages in the team approach of caring for patients. Supports the goals and concepts of the patient-centered medical home by demonstrating flexibility and willingness to change. Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be bi-lingual English &Spanish.
• High School graduate or equivalency – able to read, write and speak English.
• Graduate of formal Medical Assistant training program (9 months or longer) or minimum of 3 years Medical Assistant experience in a comparable ambulatory setting required, within the last 5 years.
• Basic Life Support Certification.
• Ability to understand and apply policies, procedures and protocols.
• Ability to use a personal computer and scanner.
• Ability to use EMR and other software applications.
• Ability to interact with patients, providers, supervisors and peers in a professional manner.
• Ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations.
• Demonstrated knowledge and skills necessary to provide care to patients throughout the life span, with consideration of the life span, including all developmental stages as well as cultural patterns in each step of the care process.

Experience:

• Three years of experience within the last 5 years as Medical Assistant in an ambulatory setting or recent Graduate of formal Medical Assistant training program (9 months or longer)within the past 2 or 3 years.
• Prefer experience with electronic medical record and appointment scheduling software.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements:

• Healthcare environment such as acute care hospitals, physicians' offices and ancillary healthcare enterprises.
• Works with medical equipment and has direct patient contact.
• Any potential hazards are minimized by adherence to established safety procedures and precautions including use safety equipment and protective clothing.