Medical Assistant

Medical Assistant

The Department of Surgery at Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University is seeking an outstanding Medical Assistant to join the team.

The Medical Assistant (MA) provides essential clinical and administrative support in a fast-paced outpatient surgical environment. This role specializes in patient intake, coordination of pre- and post-operative care, patient education, and assisting providers with minor in-office surgical procedures. Because this position supports both General Surgery and Surgical Oncology services, the ideal candidate demonstrates strong critical-thinking skills, attention to detail, excellent communication abilities, and compassion for patients navigating surgical and cancer-related diagnoses.

Candidates with previous medical assistant experience are preferred; however, motivated individuals with relevant healthcare training and a willingness to learn are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

Patient Intake: Room patients, obtain and accurately record vital signs (BP, pulse, temperature, respiration, SPO2), height, weight, medication reconciliation, allergies, and chief complaints in the Electronic Health Record (EHR)/Epic.

Clinical Assessment Support: Recognize and appropriately communicate abnormal findings, patient concerns, or changes in condition to providers. Utilize critical-thinking skills to identify potential barriers to care and escalate concern as appropriate.

Surgical Prep & Assistance: Prepare examination and procedure rooms according to sterile and aseptic protocols. Assist surgeons and advanced practice providers during minor in-office procedures, including biopsies, cyst removals, stitch/staple removals, wound debridements, and drain management.

Wound Care: Safely remove surgical dressings, inspect surgical sites for signs of infection or complications, and apply clean/sterile dressings as directed by the provider.

Patient Education: Reinforce provider instructions regarding surgical preparation, wound care, medication management, and post-operative recovery.

Specimen Handling: Label, track, and log biopsy and tissue specimens accurately, ensuring immediate and seamless transfer to pathology and laboratory services.

Infection Control: Clean, sanitize, and sterilize instruments and equipment according to organizational policies and regulatory standards. Maintain required sterilization documentation and logs.

Surgical Coordination: Assist with scheduling procedures, coordinating diagnostic testing, and ensuring completion of pre-operative requirements.

Prior Authorizations: Coordinate with insurance carriers to obtain prior authorizations for imaging studies, procedures, medications, and surgical interventions.

Triage Support: Answer patient calls, route clinical concerns appropriately, and communicate provider-approved instructions, test results, and follow-up recommendations.

Care Coordination: Collaborate with surgeons, advanced practice providers, nurses, oncology teams, primary care providers, and outside facilities to ensure continuity of care.

Medical Records Management: Obtain and organize outside medical records, pathology reports, operative reports, and imaging studies.

Supply Management: Monitor inventory levels, restock exam rooms and supply areas, and ensure clinical supplies remain current and available.

Maintain complete confidentiality in compliance with HIPAA guidelines.

Ensure accurate and timely documentation within the EHR/ EPIC.

Complete and maintain required clinical logs including temperature monitoring, autoclave logs, and expiration of medications are documented.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications and Skills:

Completion of a Medical Assistant training program.

Active Medical Assistant Certification (CMA, RMA, CCMA, or NCMA) required).

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience: Previous experience in a healthcare setting preferred but not required.

Ability to learn surgical workflows, sterile techniques, and specialty-specific medical terminology.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to provide compassionate, patient-centered care.

Ability to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team.

Strong organizational and multitasking skills with the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.

Location: Location

US-VA-Norfolk