Medical Assistant

Job Description

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Specialty Medical Assistant - Float (MA) provides high quality, care for culturally diverse populations with acute and/or chronic illness in the Brevard Health Alliance outpatient care setting. They must be able to promote a safe environment for all patients including those with altered sensorium due to medication or an acute or chronic illness. Specialty MA-Floats are responsible for collecting data, document using appropriate forms and electronic health records, follow policies, protocols and guidelines, adhere to policies and evaluate resources for each shift. Within their scope of practice, the Specialty MA-Float performs routine administrative and clinical duties to assist the nurse, MD/DO/APRN/ or PA as part of the medical home healthcare team.

The Specialty MA-Float is accountable to the Manager of the assigned area with scope of practice and clinical competence oversight by the Director of Clinical Operations or designee.

GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• High School Diploma or General Equivalency/Educational Diploma (GED)

• Graduate from an accredited Medical Assistant Program or associate degree in Medical Assisting or one-year verifiable related experience as a Medical Assistant

• National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) Accredited Medical Assistant Certification or Registration or one-year verifiable related experience as a Medical Assistant.

• Verifiable related experience as a Medical Assistant for a minimal of 2 years could be accepted in lieu of above requirements.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Current Basic Life Support (BLS)/CPR certification from the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross

• Knowledge of medical terminology, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliance and basic clinical exam procedures

• Proficient using an Electronic Medical Record (EMR)

PRIMARY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Primary Accountabilities of the Specialty MA-Float include, but are not limited to the following:

• Must have transportation and willingness to travel to different clinics within the region daily as clinic needs dictate

• Complete patient chart within established standards. Enter all applicable data into Electronic Medical Record (EMR). Verify chart for accuracy and completeness within established standards

• Prepare exam rooms for patient examination, keeping the rooms neat and clean between visits

• Prepare patient for examination and interview patient to record vital signs and medical histories

• Perform routine screening tests and assist the Provider with exams and minor procedures

• Change dressings, apply bandages, remove sutures and perform other first aid procedures

• Perform routine laboratory tests, Electrocardiogram (EKG) and report results. Ensure all in clinic performed testing recorded in appropriate log books

• Administer medications or vaccinations as directed by Provider as appropriate

• Acts on behalf of the Provider to authorize drug refills under direction of the Provider and provide prescription information to pharmacies per BHA protocol 

• Clean and sterilize equipment and dispose of contaminated supplies or biohazard waste in accordance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards

• Discharge patients at the end of the visit and communicate with business staff to ensure appropriate scheduling of patients; maintain compliance with all department protocols, policies, procedures and HIPAA

• Communicate openly with Managers, Director of Clinical Operations or designee regarding any clinic issues or concerns

• Collaborate with integrated clinical team to ensure patients’ medical needs are met in an efficient and timely manner

• Participates in departmental continuous quality improvement efforts 

• Assists with indigent medication program, as applicable

• Enters dispensed medication onto excel spreadsheet and reconciles pharmacy inventory as applicable

• Ensures adult and/or pediatric patients are up to date on all immunizations and are entered correctly into EMR and Florida Shots as applicable

• Maintains lab and medical equipment Quality assurance (QA) as needed, and ensures QA’s are being done appropriately as applicable

• Based upon education and experience, MA may serve as a resource and preceptor for other MAs, or provide oversight for day-to-day operations of the clinical area

• Documents in a timely, accurate, and concise manner.

• As applicable for specialty area performs daily duties and quality controls including but not limited to:

• AED check

• HgbA1C and Glucometer quality controls

• Medication refrigerator temperature 

• Clean and Dirty utility room checks

• Stocking supplies

• Checking for expired supplies and medications

• Prepares, administers and documents medications with alertness to actions, side effects, adverse reactions and contraindication following BHA policies/procedures.

• Makes observations and reports changes in the patient’s condition and other significant observations to appropriate team members verbally and/or in writing.

• Recognizes the signs of potential or active disruptive behavior and quickly intervenes with appropriate therapeutic interventions.

• Communicates effectively with a variety of individuals and functions calmly in situations, which require a high degree of sensitivity, tact, and diplomacy.

• Adheres to ethical principles and standards while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries when delivering care.

• Maintains confidentiality. Performs nonstandard and specialized practical nursing activities according to scope of practice.

• Performs competent care for patients using the Medical Home model, specific duties include but are not limited to:

• Ensure specialty patients are scheduled with specialist as appropriate or communicate with medical home healthcare team. 

• Maintain specialty provider schedules for maximum utilization

• Conduct prior authorizations as indicated or facilitate sovereign immunity or charity requests

• Gather information from non-scheduled patients such as a chief complaint to document and communicate information to the Nurse and/or healthcare team. 

• Check patients in for appointments and gather vital signs.

• Orders labs and diagnostic tests appropriate for the scope of practice following policy/protocol.

• Float to other departments or clinics as needed for staffing shortages

• Answer desktop alters and messages within 24-48 hrs. Call back patients within 24-48 hrs. 

• Evaluate and work to close clinical gaps as indicated

• Perform huddle with healthcare team

• Participate in reaching annual Patient Satisfaction goals

• Perform pre-appointment phone calls and chart preparation

• Perform other administrative or clinical duties as assigned

• Takes ownership and represents Brevard Health Alliance’s mission and organizational goals established by the executive committee. These include, but are not limited to: Productivity, Quality, Patient Satisfaction, and Employee Retention. It is the duty of each BHA employee to incorporate these goals into all daily work routines, and strive to achieve and surpass all goals by working as a team. The mission and goals of BHA will be incorporated into each associate’s performance plan to be evaluated annually.