Medical Assistant - General Surgery Clinic

Medical Assistant

Support the care team by performing clinical and administrative tasks that are vital to patient care. Medical Assistants must adhere to all relevant regulations and guidelines to ensure patient safety and confidentiality. They are expected to maintain a high level of professionalism and compassion during all interactions.

Major Responsibilities:

• Prepares and rooms the patient for exam by obtaining vital signs and gathering/documenting/updating pertinent health information (i.e., chief complaint, allergies, and/or medications). Monitors and completes Clinical Integration/ Quality Improvement measures with notification to clinician for opportunities within their scope.
• Performs laboratory procedures (i.e., strep test, wound culture, specimen collection, etc.) using principles of aseptic technique and standard precautions/infection control guidelines.
• Assists the Physician/ Advanced Practice Professional (APP) with procedures such as pelvic exams, allergy scratch testing, EMG, cautery, colposcopy, etc.
• Administers routine medications, under Physician/ APP orders or medical group approved standing orders/protocols, which may include but are not limited to immunizations, antibiotics, vitamins, and topical agents.
• Follows through with necessary procedure or test requests, pre-approved care algorithms, new appointment times and referrals to other facilities or services. Refers questions to Registered Nurses and Physician/APC per scope of practice guidelines and relays information back to patient as directed.
• Communicates with Physician/APP and other members of the health care team to ensure smooth clinic flow and adjusts as necessary. Effectively communicates accurate and timely information with the patient.
• May perform basic and advanced clinical support tasks or skills based on the specialty and appropriate competencies such as but not limited to removal of sutures and staples, laboratory procedures (throat/nose culture, drug screen), phlebotomy - butterfly, venous heel stick, EKG, spirometry, Holter monitor application, prescription refills using approved protocols, etc., under clinical supervision.
• Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the department's policies and procedures. Age-specific information is developed further in the departmental job standards.

Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification Required:

• Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) required

Current Medical Assistant certification from one of the following is required:

• CMA from American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)
• CCMA from National Health career Association (NHA)
• NCMA from National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)
• RMA from American Medical Technologists (AMT).
• RMA from American Allied Health
• NCMSMA from National Healthcare Worker's Association (NHCWA)
• NRCMA from National Association for Health Professionals (NAHP)
• NRMA from National Registry of Medical Assistants (NRMA)

Education Required:

• High School Diploma or GED; Associate's Degree in Medical Assisting preferred.
• Graduation from an accredited Medical Assistant program

Experience Required:

• 1 yr experience preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• Ability to perform routine and complex technical skills, within the Medical Assistant scope of practice after demonstrated competency.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to develop rapport and maintain positive, professional relationships with a variety of patients, team members and physicians.
• Proficient computer skills including keyboarding, navigation within a windows operating system, and use of electronic mail with exposure to electronic medical records systems.
• Demonstrates customer service skills that support a positive patient experience.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Must sit, stand, walk, lift, squat, bend, twist, crawl, kneel, climb, and reach above shoulders throughout the workday.
• Ability to lift 35 pounds without assistance. For patient lifts over 35 pounds, or when patient is unable to assist with lift, patient handling equipment is expected to be used, with at least one other team member, when available.
• Unique patient lifting/movement situations will be assessed on a case by case basis.
• Must have functional speech, vision, hearing, and touch with ability to use fine-hand manipulation skills.
• Will be exposed to the following hazards on a frequent basis: mechanical, electrical, chemical, blood and body fluids. Will be required to wear protective clothing and equipment as needed.
• Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.

Our Commitment to You:

Advocate Health offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and well-being programs, competitive compensation, generous retirement offerings, programs that invest in your career development and so much more – so you can live fully at and away from work, including:

• Compensation
• Base compensation listed within the listed pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training
• Premium pay such as shift, on call, and more based on a teammate's job
• Incentive pay for select positions
• Opportunity for annual increases based on performance

Benefits and more

• Paid Time Off programs
• Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
• Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave
• Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs
• Educational Assistance Program

About Advocate Health

Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit, integrated health system in the United States, created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois; Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama; and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health services nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise. It is nationally recognized for its expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Advocate Health employs 155,000 teammates across 69 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations, and offers one of the nation's largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs. Committed to providing equitable care for all, Advocate Health provides more than $6 billion in annual community benefits.