Medical Assistant - Behavioral Health

Summary:

Prepare patients prior to physician examinations and assist in exams and procedures.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responsible for greeting patient in waiting room and escorts them to the exam room
• Prepare patients for examination; take vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, respirations, height, weight, and pulse oximetry)
• Document chief complaint, past medical surgical, social, and family histories and updates as needed in the patient’s electronic medical record.
• Properly prepare the patient for the exam and assist the physician as needed with exams, ultrasounds, and procedures
• Make certain that all pertinent pre-clinic laboratory or other pertinent data is in chart at time of visit (ex: hospital follow ups, Kaspers, etc.)
• Review and update immunization records
• Have a working knowledge of setting up and assisting with minor surgery, suturing, casting, social service exams, gynecologic exams, toenail removal, and cryosurgery
• Perform phlebotomy, urinalysis, and other in office laboratories
• Prepare slides for urinalysis, KOH, and wet prep microscopic exam
• Practice Universal Precautions at all times utilizing available safety equipment (gloves, masks, face shields, goggles, gowns, etc.)
• Maintain well-cleaned/sanitized and stocked rooms and laboratory area
• Manage inventory of medical supplies and equip exam rooms with appropriate supplies
• Clean and sanitize instruments regularly
• Perform in-office diagnostic testing such as EKG, Diabetic Retinopathy and PFT along with CLIA waived testing
• Have computer knowledge for operating lab computer to assist in entering laboratory tests and retrieving results of such
• Be knowledgeable on all vaccines and injectable medications.
• Know how to properly administer injectable medications, using proper intramuscular, Subcutaneous, intradermal technique, proper needle size, and correct injection sites.
• Prepare and administer immunizations, allergy, or other injections
• Assist with phone triage and scheduling patient appointments as needed
• Have knowledge of closing office procedure-turn off equipment, clean exam rooms, clean instruments, restock exam rooms etc.
• Inform appropriate personnel on when supply inventory for exam rooms and/or lab are low
• Maintain current license, and certification if applicable
• Assist with lifting patients as needed, always using proper body mechanics and lifting techniques
• Cover clerical positions with filing and telephone operations when employees are on break, lunch, and away for other absences when necessary
• Obtain patient insurance pre-authorization for all medications, referrals and procedures
• Perform all other duties as assigned
• Must be detail-oriented and highly organized
• Must maintain confidentiality at all times
• Maintains safe, secure, and healthy work environment by establishing and following standards and procedures and complying with legal regulations
• Updates job knowledge regularly by participating in educational opportunities and /or reading professional publications.
• Strong communication skills must speak clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarifications; responds well to questions.
• Must be knowledgeable on medications, disease processes, diets, etc. to effectively educate patients; and properly answer patient’s questions

OTHER ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Grace Health recognizes that managing patient care is a team effort that involves clinical and non-clinical staff. All employees must embrace a team-based approach to patient care and understand that each role is important to our success.
• Team members must demonstrate excellent team communication and coordination to provide high quality patient care.
• Care coordination includes communicating professionally with community organizations, health plans, facilities, and specialists.
• Care team members understand and embrace the concept of population management and proactively address the needs of patients and families served by this practice.
• Team members must demonstrate skill and knowledge related to effective communication with vulnerable patient populations.
• Team members must participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities within the organization to ensure patients receive high quality care.
• All team members will be involved in the process of improving quality outcomes.
• Team members will participate in the review and evaluation processes of practice performance and help to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Team members will participate in Grace Health's advocacy program.

GENERAL DUTIES:

• Follows policies and procedures of the office, including administrative, clinical, quality assurance, and personnel
• Maintain good attendance (daily, meetings, and other assignment tasks)
• Maintain timely documentation of all work assignments
• Maintain patient confidentiality
• Routinely keep supervisor informed about attendance and job assignments
• Flexible in being able to multitask
• Work effectively and at an efficient timely pace
• Work cooperatively with providers, administration, and peers

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to assist in advancing Grace Health’s mission and to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

SKILLS:

• Pleasant personality
• Cooperative attitude
• Completed a recognized medical assistant program
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Computer skills

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

Must have a high-school diploma and either significant on-the-job experience or certification as a medical assistant.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; sit; and use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell.

The employee must occasionally lift and /or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Grace Health is a faith-based, federally qualified community health center (FQHC). We provide primary health services to underserved, underinsured, and uninsured individuals in the southeastern Kentucky region. Our mission is “to show the love and share the truth of Jesus Christ to southeastern Kentucky, through access to compassionate, high-quality, primary health care for the whole person”.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Grace Health provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.