Medical Assistant I

Patient Care Assistant

As a patient-focused organization, University of Utah Health exists to enhance the health and well-being of people through patient care, research and education. Success in this mission requires a culture of collaboration, excellence, leadership, and respect. University of Utah Health seeks staff that are committed to the values of compassion, collaboration, innovation, responsibility, integrity, quality and trust that are integral to our mission.

This position provides assistive care to patients. The incumbent facilitates the efficient delivery of patient care, supports the professional role of the licensed staff, and provides support and assistance as directed by licensed staff in rendering basic healthcare to the patient. This position also assists with clerical functions as a multi-skilled auxiliary worker. This position provides direct patient care and may be required to access and administer medications within their scope of practice and according to state law.

The University of Utah is a Level 1 Trauma Center and is nationally ranked and recognized for our academic research, quality standards and overall patient experience. Our five hospitals and eleven clinics provide excellence in our comprehensive services, medical advancement, and overall patient outcomes.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions

• Prepares patients for examinations and diagnostic procedures according to clinic procedures such as recording temperatures, pulse rate, blood pressure and responses to standardized medical history questions.
• Reports all observed patient concerns and changes in condition to a licensed staff member.
• Performs Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) Waved Lab tests as identified by department and reports results to the appropriate personnel.
• Performs additional skills such as suture removal, straight catheterization and injections (IM, Subq and intra-dermal).
• Acts as a chaperone for health care providers during patient examination as requested and assists with procedures.
• Monitors and cleans assigned patient examination rooms, unit areas and unit equipment reporting outdated supplies, stock levels and restock set levels of items and necessary equipment repairs.
• Answers telephones, forwards telephone messages and under the direction of licensed staff schedules appointments, procedures and diagnostic tests.
• Assists in routine clerical functions such as filing of medical information in patient's records, locating and compiling department charts, obtaining medical records from other providers and entering charges for billing purposes.
• Attends and completes mandatory education including infection prevention and control, safety, CPR, equipment usage and procedures according to hospital and department policies.
• May perform patient phlebotomy in accordance with clinic procedures and physician orders after specialized training.
• May apply leads and monitors for diagnostic procedures such as EKG and ultrasound scan under the direct supervision of licensed personnel.
• May assist inpatient and family education by providing educational material and general health information to patients and family members.
• May assist with transportation of patients to ancillary departments or inpatient units as directed by licensed staff.
• May instruct in Basic Life Support (BLS) requirements.
• May perform IV access.
• May perform other duties based on department assigned.
• At the discretion of department operational and patient care needs, this position is required to work rotating schedules, which may include variable hours, weekends, nights, and holidays to meet the staffing and patient care demands of a 24/7 complex health system. Regular, reliable, and punctual attendance during assigned shifts is considered an essential function of the role.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Demonstrated availability to work variable and rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays, in a 24/7 patient care environment.
• This hiring department is responsible for assessing new employee's skills, identifying gaps, and coordinating further education.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined above.
• Demonstrated human relation and effective communication skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency in the specific clinic's specialty skills within six weeks of hire. *Specialty skills may not be performed until after the new hire completed basic competency testing.*
• Ability to withstand the physical demand of being on your feet for long periods of time, of moving and lifting patients and of reaching for and handling equipment.

Qualifications

Required

Verifiable completion of one (1) of the following:

• State approved EMT course.
• One (1) year of Medical Assistant experience in an ambulatory care clinic or other healthcare setting.
• Medical Assisting education program.
• University Hospital Medical Assistant certification program.

Licenses Required

• Current RQI Healthcare Provider eCredential through the University of Utah Health RQI system. The eCredential is to be obtained within 30 days of hire.

* Additional license requirements as determined by the hiring department.

Qualifications (Preferred)

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

Employee must be able to meet the following requirements with or without an accommodation.

• This position involves intermediate working conditions in a healthcare setting that may exert up to 50 pounds and may consistently require lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, or otherwise moving patients or objects, such as medical equipment, while providing patient care. Workers in this position may be exposed to infectious diseases and may be required to function around prisoners or behavioral health patients. Incumbents face exposure to potentially dangerous contaminated bodily fluids, blood, used needles and other contaminants as part of the daily hazards of the job.

Physical Requirements

Color Determination, Far Vision, Lifting, Listening, Manual Dexterity, Near Vision, Pulling and/or Pushing, Reaching, Sitting, Speaking, Standing, Stooping and Crouching, Tasting or Smelling, Walking