Medical Assistant

Gastroenterology Medical Assistant

The Medical Assistant performs clinical and administrative duties in an ambulatory care setting under the supervision of a physician/provider and/or a registered nurse. Duties may include venipuncture, medication and vaccine administration, measurement and documentation of vital signs, and assisting providers with patient exams and telephone and clerical support. Position may float to other sites/locations within the system.

Primary duties and responsibilities include:

• Contributing to the achievement of established department goals and objectives and adhering to department policies, procedures, quality, and safety standards.
• Assisting providers with patient preparation for the examination, minor office procedures, and with the examination and education of patients. Supporting other members of the clinical care team assuring optimal best-practice patient flow; managing variable and unpredictable patient volume throughout the workday. Providing clerical support and serving as backup for the Patient Services Coordinator or other team members as needed.
• Participating in daily team huddles to review and prepare for scheduled patient visits. Screening all patients regardless of visit type for preventative care needs, ongoing support barriers to care, safety concerns, and potential fall risk. Conducting surveillance for transitions of care, urgent/emergent care, or follow up tasks such as retrieval of documents associated with referrals/testing.
• Conducting motivational interviews that include patient screening and/or coaching on disease management, ability motivation to change, learning care needs, and community outreach needs. Identifying potential behavioral health needs of patients using appropriate screening tools and notifying provider of findings.
• As part of a High-Reliability Organization, reporting actual and potential problems concerning patients, families, and associates using established reporting protocols for MedStar Health and/or work location. Participating in performance improvement initiatives to improve care quality and safety.
• Ensuring ongoing compliance with regulatory accreditation and quality/safety standards by maintaining and auditing temperature logs, ensuring medication supplies are current/unexpired, checking and maintaining emergency equipment area free of clutter, and other related tasks.
• Participating in population management activities including an awareness of the populations served and engaging the patient in self-management support care/health goal setting, pre-visit planning, and the capturing of information that leads to health care improvement activities.
• Performing selected patient and laboratory testing consistent with the scope of the practice including but not limited to Point of Care Testing, tuberculosis skin testing, electrocardiography, pulmonary function tests, and vision and hearing testing (dependent upon provider and site requirements). Removing sutures/staples after the provider has examined the patient and written the appropriate order. Documenting these activities in the patient's electronic medical record (EMR) or other venues based on policy.
• Documenting clinically related activities accurately in the patient's EMR; performing required patient follow-up: to include pap smears, Pb levels, HIV, mammograms, and STD's. Collecting and processing specimens, completing requisitions, and documenting in logbook or other applicable forms/records.
• Providing escort for patients and assisting with patient discharge activities. Providing chaperoning for patients per policy.
• Fulfilling infection prevention and environmental responsibilities as assigned which may include: Light cleaning during clinic hours and cleaning of equipment. Updating appropriate records of scheduled equipment maintenance and managing drug and medical supply inventories.
• Providing telephone screening services to gather information from patients, determine appropriate disposition, and document per established telephone screening protocols.
• Under onsite provider supervision, may insert intravenous catheter for physician initiated IV fluid therapy or administration of intravenous medications. Under direct onsite physician supervision, may insert, remove, and monitor urinary catheter for procedures and prepare and administer oral drugs and injections limited to intradermal, subcutaneous, and intramuscular. May perform phlebotomy.
• Utilizing the EMR to propose patient medication refills for provider approval. Completing requisitions for tests (if applicable). Contacting insurance companies for pre-authorizations for patient medications and specialty referrals including insurance authorization.
• Floating to other sites/locations within the system as appropriate and performing all duties at multiple sites.
• Attending scheduled meetings including but not limited to regular staff meetings and training classes for safety, infection control, OSHA, CLIA, BLS, and others as required.
• Demonstrating behavior consistent with MedStar Health mission, vision, goals, SPIRIT values, objectives, and patient care philosophy.

Minimal qualifications include:

• High School Diploma or GED required and completion of an accredited Medical Assistant program preferred.
• Less than 1 year 6 months experience working in an ambulatory care medical office or equivalent required. Externship in a medical or ambulatory health setting strongly preferred. Completed externship program at MedStar Health may be substituted for the 6 months experience in ambulatory care medical office.
• For Cardiology offices only: 6 months experience working in an ambulatory care medical office or equivalent required or Bachelor's degree in exercise physiology/science or related major or successful completion of a cardiac technician course. Preferred.
• Prior experience as a medical assistant preferred.

Licenses and certifications required include:

• Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)-AAMA by the American Association of Medical Assistants within 1 Year required or Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)-American Medical Technologists through American Medical Technologists or equivalent within 1 Year required.
• CPR - Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation (includes BLS and NRP) for healthcare providers from either the American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross within 90 Days required.
• Additional unit/specialty certifications may vary by department or business unit.

Knowledge skills and abilities include:

• Clinical competency as verified within 90-day orientation period and annually thereafter.
• Excellent customer service/patient interaction skills.
• Basic computer skills preferred.

This position has a hiring range of USD $19.55 - USD $34.25 /Hr.