Medical Assistant

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary

The Medical Assistant (MA) provides clinical and operational support throughout the ambulatory surgery center, primarily in Pre-Operative and Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) areas , while also assisting with the efficient operation of the Operating Room.

The Medical Assistant works under the direction and supervision of licensed clinical staff and performs duties within the Medical Assistant’s authorized scope of practice. This position requires excellent patient care skills, attention to detail, flexibility, and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced surgical environment.

The ASC provides surgical services including orthopedics, arthroscopic procedures, total joint procedures, and podiatric surgery .

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Pre-Operative Responsibilities

·       Assist with patient admission and preparation for surgery.

·       Obtain and document vital signs, height, weight, and other information as assigned.

·       Assist patients with changing and preparation for their procedure.

·       Confirm that required documentation is available for clinical staff review.

·       Assist with completion of pre-operative checklists as appropriate.

·       Prepare patient bays and ensure necessary supplies and equipment are available.

·       Assist the RN with patient flow and timely preparation of patients for surgery.

·       Perform permitted clinical tasks within the Medical Assistant’s scope and according to facility policy.

·       Maintain patient privacy, dignity, comfort, and confidentiality.

·       Communicate changes or concerns regarding the patient’s condition immediately to the RN.

PACU / Discharge Support

·       Assist PACU nurses with patient care and patient flow.

·       Obtain and document vital signs when delegated and permitted.

·       Assist with positioning, comfort measures, and other non-licensed patient care activities.

·       Prepare discharge areas and maintain adequate supplies.

·       Assist patients with dressing and preparation for discharge when clinically appropriate.

·       Assist with wheelchair transport and discharge processes as directed by the RN.

·       Clean, disinfect, and prepare patient bays between patients.

·       Immediately report changes in patient condition or other concerns to the PACU RN.

·       Support safe and efficient turnover of the recovery area.

Operating Room Support

·       Assist with OR room preparation and turnover between surgical cases.

·       Clean and disinfect environmental surfaces and equipment according to facility infection prevention policies.

·       Assist with bringing supplies and equipment into the OR as requested by the circulating RN or surgical team.

·       Help ensure required equipment and supplies are available before procedures.

·       Assist with opening non-sterile supplies as directed and within facility policy.

·       Transport specimens according to facility procedures, when assigned.

·       Assist with patient transport to and from the operating room.

·       Assist with stocking ORs and maintaining appropriate par levels.

·       Assist with equipment movement, positioning devices, and room setup as directed.

·       Maintain awareness of the sterile field and follow appropriate surgical traffic patterns and infection prevention practices.

·       Promptly communicate supply, equipment, or safety concerns to the circulating RN or appropriate supervisor.

Surgical Specialties

The Medical Assistant may support surgical services including:

·       Orthopedic – Arthroscopic and Total Joints

·       Podiatric surgery

·       Other surgical specialties added by the facility

The MA is expected to become familiar with the supplies, equipment, patient positioning needs, workflows, and postoperative considerations associated with the specialties performed at the facility.

Infection Prevention and Safety Responsibilities

·       Follow hand hygiene and infection prevention practices at all times.

·       Follow standard precautions and appropriate transmission-based precautions.

·       Properly use personal protective equipment (PPE).

·       Follow facility policies regarding cleaning, disinfection, and handling of contaminated materials.

·       Maintain separation of clean and contaminated supplies.

·       Properly dispose of sharps, biohazardous materials, and regulated medical waste.

·       Participate in infection prevention education and required competency training.

·       Follow OSHA, facility safety, emergency preparedness, and exposure-control procedures.

·       Report exposures, injuries, incidents, and unsafe conditions immediately.

Additional Responsibilities

·       Stock Pre-Op, PACU, OR, and other clinical areas.

·       Monitor supplies for expiration dates and package integrity.

·       Assist with monthly expiration checks and assigned compliance activities.

·       Assist with inventory and supply organization.

·       Maintain clean, organized, and survey-ready patient care areas.

·       Participate in staff meetings, education, drills, and competency assessments.

·       Assist with emergency preparedness activities, including fire drills and mock emergency/code drills.

·       Maintain current knowledge of facility policies and procedures.

·       Work cooperatively with physicians, anesthesia providers, nurses, surgical technologists, sterile processing staff, front office staff, and other members of the healthcare team.

·       Perform additional duties consistent with the MA’s scope of practice as assigned.

Qualifications

Required:

·       Completion of a Medical Assistant training program or equivalent qualifications acceptable to the facility

·       Current BLS certification.

·       Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced surgical environment.

·       Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills

·       Ability to maintain patient confidentiality and comply with HIPAA requirements.

·       Ability to understand and follow infection prevention

·       Previous experience in an ambulatory surgery center, hospital, surgical office, or procedural setting.

·       Experience with orthopedic, arthroscopic, total joint, and/or podiatric patients.

·       Familiarity with Pre-Op, PACU, and Operating Room workflows.

Knowledge and Skills

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

·       Strong patient care and customer service skills.

·       Understanding of basic medical terminology.

·       Knowledge of aseptic principles and infection prevention.

·       Ability to recognize and immediately report changes in patient condition.

·       Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.

·       Attention to detail and accuracy in documentation.

·       Ability to follow established policies, procedures, and chain of command.

·       Ability to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary surgical team.

·       Flexibility to assist in multiple areas based on daily surgical volume and staffing needs.

Physical Requirements

The position requires the ability to:

·       Stand and walk for extended periods.

·       Bend, reach, push, pull, and perform repetitive movements.

·       Assist with patient transport and positioning within facility policy and safe-patient-handling practices.

·       Push wheelchairs, stretchers, equipment, and supply carts.

·       Lift and move supplies and equipment appropriate to the position.

·       Wear required personal protective equipment.

·       Work in an environment involving potential exposure to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, cleaning agents, and other hazards associated with a surgical facility.

Bascom Surgery Center, Spine Sports Surgery Center, LLC is a new state-of-the-art facility. This position will be caring for our total joint patients, ensuring they can ambulate, including practicing stairs, ADLs and evaluating for same-day home discharge

Company Description

Bascom Surgery Center, Spine Sports Surgery Center, LLC is a new state-of-the-art facility. This position will be caring for our total joint patients, ensuring they can ambulate, including practicing stairs, ADLs and evaluating for same-day home discharge