Certified Medical Assistant

Medical Assistant

Performs 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 Assistant

Department: OB-GYN Clinic

Schedule: Part Time

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Delivers care in a non-judgmental, non-discriminatory manner that is sensitive to and demonstrates respect for patients.
• 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 room Uses 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 identifiers Accurately collects and documents in the medial records vital signs, chief complaint/reason for visit, and medical/family/social history Enter allergies and smoking status Documents current medications and prescriptions that need to be renewed Obtains immunization records/history, and enters findings into patient medical record Instructs patient on how to prepare for the provider (assisting as necessary) Anticipates/sets up special equipment and/or supplies needed for visit Administers 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 approval Downloads glucometer and other device data for provider review Alerts 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 record Update patient pharmacy information Collects, 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 care Guaiac, sugar and acetone, urine pH Glucose finger stick Application of external monitors GU irrigation set up Routine EKGs Hearing Test POCT (i.e. glucometer, pregnancy test, etc.) Peak flow Visual acuity Vital signs Oxygen saturation by pulse oximeter Personal patient glucometer downloads Leg/girth measurements Biopsy set up Procedure tray set up Urine culture prep Simple dressing changes eg. DSD Suture removal Specimen Collection Phlebotomy Provides basic skin care, including but not limited to: application of heat and cold, diabetic foot care, application of elastic stockings, and ace wraps.
• Redundant to Q above 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 biopsy IUD insertion and removal Pelvic exam Incision and drainage Punch biopsy Colonoscopy Suprapubic tube changes Provides 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 materials Assists with staging selected prior authorization for medication or supplies needed under the direction of nurse manager or designee Strictly 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 data Reminding patients of test/screening needs (i.e. by phone, letter) Prints and displays care team registry data or other applicable database data Restocks, 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 needed.
• Assist with the abortion clinic

Advanced 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 surgery Excisional surgery Laser treatment Cool/Sculpting treatment Other Cosmetic Procedures (e.g. peels, fillers) Urodynamic studies Flow rate/voiding trials Low-dye taping Phototherapy and PUVA
• Perform:
• Suture Removals Phlebotomy

Clerical Support: Performs all duties associated with an Ambulatory Services Representative, including but not limited to registration, scheduling, and collecting co-payments.

General duties:

• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide age appropriate care to the groups of patients regularly served.
• Orientation of new staff; serves as a resource to float pool staff Conforms to hospital standards of performance and conduct, including those pertaining to patient rights, so that the best possible customer service and patient care may be provided.
• Utilizes hospitals cultural beliefs and RESPECT attributes as the basis for decision making and to support the hospitals mission and goals.

Advanced Administrative Duties:

• The list below is not an all-inclusive list, but illustrates the nature of administrative duties associates with advanced clinical action:
• Schedule urgent patients into providers schedule for immediate evaluation Completion of billing batch for advanced clinical activity (e.g. photo and PUVA, suture removal, dressing change batch) Creates and maintains special procedure and sub-specialty patient list for reference Maintain special procedure and sub specialty areas: Cleaning and audit Inventory and inspection of special equipment and instruments Stocking and ordering of special items Maintain vendor logs/relationship and informs nurse manager or designee of equipment needing service Other duties as assigned

Work Rules, Standards, and Competency Compliance:

• Maintains a presentable appearance in accordance with dress code requirements, including wearing visible hospital identification badge that identifies self as a Medical Assistant.
• Adapts to changing patient and practice unit needs including but not limited to: offering assistance to other team members, floating, adjusting assignments, etc.
• Collaborates with the nurse manager/clinic supervisor to coordinate break periods with the practice units activities.
• Acts in a manner that supports a positive and collaborative work environment and that is congruent with established standards, policies, procedures, and regulations Works cooperatively and constructively with all staff members and takes appropriate steps to effectively resolve interpersonal conflicts, seeking assistance from his/her superior when needed.