Medical Assistant III

Responsibilities Patient Care Duties: Works directly with orthopedic Shoulder and Elbow patients in the clinic. Rooms patients, takes vital signs, reviews medication lists and allergies, and documents the chief complaint, history of injury and pain level. Prepares for clinic sessions by reviewing schedules and charts, confirming that outside imaging and records are available, coordinating same-day X-rays and preparing exam rooms. Assists providers with exams, including positioning patients and helping with range-of-motion and strength assessments. Assists with in-office procedures such as joint and soft-tissue injections (including ultrasound-guided injections) and aspirations. This includes setting up procedure trays, keeping the field sterile, positioning patients, handing supplies to the provider, labeling specimens and cleaning up afterward. Medical Assistants in this role do not administer medications. Performs post-operative and follow-up care as directed by the provider, such as dressing changes, removing sutures and staples, and applying and fitting slings, braces and splints. Gives patients provider-approved written instructions about wound care, sling and brace use, activity restrictions and follow-up appointments. May help renew and authorize non-narcotic medications per standing orders and department guidelines. Communication and Documentation: May schedule and assign work to other Medical Assistants to keep clinic staffing appropriate. Helps orient and train new Medical Assistants on the Shoulder and Elbow team's workflows and procedures. Directs patient flow and keeps clinic sessions running on time. Coordinates with radiology, physical and occupational therapy, and the surgical team. Routes phone messages, patient questions and calls to the right team member, such as the provider, nurse, surgery scheduler or physical therapy. Helps coordinate care as outlined in department guidelines. This includes calling patients with test results, scheduling appointments and follow-ups, handling provider callbacks, and scheduling surgeries, imaging (MRI, CT, ultrasound) and other diagnostic procedures. Helps with pre-operative coordination, including surgical paperwork, pre-op instructions and clearance requests. Also coordinates post-op visit schedules. Gives patients patient-reported outcome questionnaires, collects them and makes sure they're entered in the chart. Completes work and school notes, disability or FMLA forms, and durable medical equipment (DME) orders per provider direction and department guidelines. Completes documentation in the electronic health record accurately and on time. Answers basic questions from patients and families about treatment plans, procedures, surgery preparation and recovery. Sends clinical questions to the provider or nurse. May complete requisitions and orders per WashU guidelines. Equipment and Supplies: Tracks clinic and procedure supply inventory, including injection supplies, splinting materials, slings, braces and dressings, so everything is available and meets regulations. Cleans and stocks exam and procedure rooms, and cleans and sterilizes instruments per infection-prevention standards. Keeps clinic equipment, such as ultrasound machines and procedure carts, clean, stocked and ready to use. Other Functions: Follows HIPAA requirements. Keeps skills and competencies current and takes part in in-services, staff programs, continuing education and cross-training as required by WashU standards and policies. Follows OSHA, state and federal regulations and standards. Takes part in quality improvement work to support good clinical outcomes and patient experience. Performs other duties as assigned. Qualifications Registered or Certified Medical Assistant with three years of related work experience (examples of related fields include military medic, emergency medical technicians, Nurse’s Aide, physical therapy and nurse technicians, and certified athletic trainers). Medical Assistant credentials must be obtained from in-person proctored exams from the following certifying bodies: NHA, AAMA or AMT. In-person proctored credentials from other certifying bodies may be accepted upon approval from Human Resources. Substitutions include: Graduate of an accredited nursing program (such as RN/LPN), or comparable allied health training program with a minimum of one year of relevant experience. Ability to show proof of a Medical Assistant certification/registration with successful completion of certification exam (online proctored exams are not sufficient to meet the credential requirement) within six months of hire date (or within a shorter time frame if noted by hiring manager). Basic Life Support certification (Online Basic Life Support certifications, those without a skills assessment component, are not sufficient to meet the Basic Life Support requirements). #J-18808-Ljbffr Washington University in St. Louis