Medical Assistant

Description

DEPARTMENT: Medical Operations

REPORTS TO: Practice Manager

STATUS: Non‑exempt

Summary

Assists in examination and treatment of patients under a Provider’s direction by performing the following duties.

Compensation

The starting rate hourly for the position is $18.85/hour for MA's & $25.36/hour for LPN's . The starting rate has the potential to rise depending on years of relevant experience.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Patient Care

• Assists patients by answering routine questions, resolving minor difficulties and giving directions to patients as authorized by the Provider.
• Documents all patient communication in patient charts including any Provider‑directed instructions.
• Supports the patient through education and information on community resources such as classes, support groups and pharmacy assistance programs.
• Provides education and support to patients and families as directed by the Provider.
• Assists patients in basic self‑management goal setting, applying basic active listening and behavior modification principles in goal discussions.
• Makes appointments as needed and directed by the Provider.

Clinical

• Assists with routine office examinations and procedures that may include administering injections, medications, vaccinations and blood draws.
• Documents all procedures in the patient’s chart.
• Documents all patient interaction, tracks and attaches laboratory and diagnostic test results to patient charts; communicates results and orders to patients as directed by the Provider.
• Serves as a liaison to pharmacies (e.g., regarding new and refill prescriptions and follows up with patients as needed).
• Participates in both patient and practice‑level meetings.
• Assists with patient/population communications such as calls or letters to remind of needed preventive or chronic care steps.

Operations

• Prepares, cleans and sterilizes equipment and exam rooms according to standard safety and clinical protocols.
• Properly handles the disposal of infectious/hazardous waste according to OSHA guidelines.
• Inventories and requests supplies.
• Actively participates in quality improvement activities such as meetings, PDSA, pilots, data collection and evaluation of practice or location performance metrics.
• Supports a shared goal model to achieve high‑quality, patient‑ and family‑centered care.
• Participates in scheduled pre‑visit planning/huddle processes.
• Facilitates coordination of care following hospital or ER utilization or follow‑up from specialty providers.
• May participate in team meetings and other quality improvement activities as necessary.

Supervisory Responsibilities

No direct reports.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/Or Experience

High School diploma or equivalent and graduation from an accredited program for Medical Assistants. MA Registration or Certification required.

Language Skills

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the organization.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.

Computer Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have the ability to gain knowledge of a current practice‑management system, electronic medical record, Microsoft Word, text paging, Internet and intranet.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

CPR certification required. Certified or Registered Medical Assistant required.

Other Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

Ability to speak Spanish desirable. Knowledge of examination, diagnostic and treatment room procedures. Knowledge of medical equipment and instruments to administer patient care. Skill in taking vital signs; skill in maintaining records and recording test results; skill with geriatric patients and patients in lower socio‑economic sectors of the community.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle or feel, reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals and risk of radiation. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.