Multi-Site Senior Medical Assistant - Primary Care (Medical Center)

At Houston Methodist, the Multi-Site Senior Medical Assistant, (Multi-Site Sr. MA) position is responsible for working at multiple sites, within multiple specialties and service lines. The Multi-Site Sr. MA is responsible for providing high quality support of patient care and services, while functioning as an expert and demonstrating highly competent knowledge in the more technical and advanced examinations and treatments. The Multi-Site Sr. MA must communicate appropriately and carry out delegated medical assistant level tasks for the assigned patient population, under the direct supervision of a Physician, APP and/or Registered Nurse. This position oversees appropriate scope of practice, (i.e. Hand Hygiene Validator, EMR super-user) as well as performing patient check in/check out functions, appointment scheduling, ensuring medical necessity compliance and verifying eligibility for care. This position supports timely, accurate claims submission and may perform registration and/or other revenue cycle functions. The Multi-Site Sr. MA position assists with patient examinations, procedures, diagnostic studies, treatment, and dressing changes. This position also performs general administrative duties in accordance with CLIA, HIPAA, NCQA and government standards as well as company policies and procedures.

FLSA STATUS
Non-exempt

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)

EXPERIENCE

• Five years medical assistant experience with highly complex, chronic disease management or in a specialty discipline to include patient services representative experience.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Required

• Certified Medical Assistant through AAMA, NAHP, NCCT, NHA or Registered Medical Assistant or EMT and
• BLS - Basic Life Support or Instructor (AHA) - American Heart Association

Preferred

• CPT – Certified Phlebotomy Technician (ACA)

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
• Knowledge of medical practice and care of patients and ability to assist with examinations, diagnostic and treatment procedures, knowledge of medical equipment and instruments
• Skill in developing and maintaining clinical quality assurance to maintain accurate medical records
• Demonstrate a learning attitude toward solving problems, using good reasoning and judgment
• Provide safe patient-centered, compassionate, and competent care
• Proficient in computer skills for documentation and work-related purposes and the ability to utilize software systems such as the electronic medical record.
• Completes required continuous training and education, including department-specific requirements. Maintain current certifications
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients, medical staff, coworkers, and the public as well as strong customer service, phone, and scheduling skills.
• Ability to work with peers in a team situation
• Possess an understanding of the patient population as it relates to the clinical disease process
• Proficient in computer skills for documentation and work-related purpose
• Demonstrates advanced assessment competences appropriate for level of practice

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Role models and promotes a positive work environment that actively assists interprofessional care team to achieve optimal department results. Makes contributions to the work effort as a whole, by leading and initiating problem resolution within the work unit. Facilitates teamwork by anticipating the need for assistance and responding positively to requests for assistance.
• Collaborates with all members of the interprofessional health care team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information and data in a comprehensive manner. Teaches peers to critically think by verbally expressing rationale for decisions and follows up consistently. Facilitates open, professional, communication to achieve mutual understanding, role modeling by example.
• Independently executes the duties and serves as a clinical resource in the department, using advanced skills and competencies, guiding and mentoring colleagues’ though processes in order to provide optimal patient care. Provides structured feedback with examples.
• Performs patient check in/out functions. Obtains and inputs accurate scheduling and registration data to initiate financial clearance activities as needed. Performs more complex processes related to scheduling other clinic related protocols.
• Coordinates patient flow as directed with consistency, timeliness and expert skill while may result in service delays or denials. Handles add-ons, reschedules, and cancellations appropriately and as per department protocol.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides care to patients visiting the clinic under the direct supervision of a Physician, Registered Nurse, or clinic leadership procedures. Complete pre-visit planning workflow prior to visit whenever possible, including completing and/or requesting appropriate documentation. In collaboration with the provider team, anticipates the needs of the specific patient population.
• Communicates with patient, obtains, and documents vital signs (i.e., pulse rate, temperature, blood pressure, weight, and height), chief complaint(s), preforms medication(s) review, discusses/reviews medical and social history (as appropriate). Documents, in patient’s electronic medical record (EMR). care administered, all diagnostic measurements, treatments, and procedures in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Follow-up with patient as appropriate to ensure compliance with recommendations, medications, lab/x-ray results, special visits, PCP visits, dieticians, diabetes educators, etc. Ensures patient utilization and activation of MyChart.
• Provides care coordination with hospital, ED, consulting physicians and/or community resources whenever appropriate to including handling patient inquiries.
• Role models behaviors and skills, through peer-to-peer accountability, towards improving department score for patient satisfaction.
• Uses excellent communication skills (verbal, non-verbal, written) to facilitate providing the highest quality service during every patient, physician, guest, employee, or other encounter.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Reports observations, conditions, and problems of patients to the physician and/or nurse. Recognizes abnormal clinical findings and reports them appropriately. Provides for the privacy of patients and families, keeping the safety of the patient in mind.
• Accurately performs routine tests on patients such as EKG, rapid strep, urinalysis, and urine pregnancy tests.
• Sterilizing instruments and equipment; prepare, clean, and maintain exam and treatment rooms, as well as supplies and equipment.
• Serves as a liaison for the patient, medical staff, and third parties. Communicates to resolve patient access and quality service matters. Keeps open channels of communication with physician, patient and service areas regarding action taken and resolution.
• Enters patient and operational data into various database systems with a high level of thoroughness, accuracy, and timeliness.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Responsible for stocking exam rooms, taking inventory, and ordering supplies.
• Uses resources efficiently; does not waste supplies. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks, minimizing incidental overtime. Role models effective time management and coordinates colleagues to meet the overall demands of the department.
• Accurately records information when performing functions such as charge entry, registration, scheduling, insurance verification/coordination, or obtaining authorizations or referrals to ensure financial objectives are met. Conducts front end revenue cycle duties as directed. Educates patients and others regarding billing processes and potential financial responsibilities as necessary.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Develops skills of team members and continually assists with improving skills, performance, and outcomes. Actively participates in professional development and the development of ongoing educational activities at a department-based level.
• Offers innovative solutions through participation in performance improvement activities.
• Completes and updates the individual development plan (IDP) on an on-going basis.
• Displays initiative to improve job function; offers, suggestions to streamline process for efficient patient flow and other quality or service matters.
• Seeks opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development.

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform: Yes
• Scrubs: Yes
• Business professional: No
• Other (department approved): Yes

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)

EXPERIENCE

• Five years medical assistant experience with highly complex, chronic disease management or in a specialty discipline to include patient services representative experience.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Required

• Certified Medical Assistant through AAMA, NAHP, NCCT, NHA or Registered Medical Assistant or EMT and
• BLS - Basic Life Support or Instructor (AHA) - American Heart Association

Preferred

• CPT – Certified Phlebotomy Technician (ACA)