CMA - CMA

Certified Medical Assistant

The Certified Medical Assistant performs and assists with a variety of basic patient care activities under the direction of a physician and supervision of a licensed nurse. Conduct peripheral venipuncture to collect blood samples from patients and prepare specimens for laboratory analysis. Assist with the administration of oral medications as well as subcutaneous and intramuscular routes, as directed by the licensed nurse and according to state scope of practice guidelines. Assist nurses with EKGs and other diagnostic tests and clinical procedures in accordance with level of training and health services policies and procedures. Attend sick call with the physician to examine patients; prepare a list of patients to be examined; prepare the examining room and equipment. Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation and obstructed airway techniques. Dress and bandage wounds; assist with immobilization of bone and joint injuries. Provide oxygen therapy; insert nasal and oral airway as directed by a licensed nurse. Assist with urinary catheterizations. Monitor, record, and report vital signs and the patient's condition as needed; contact doctors, supervisors, and hospitals as required. Utilize proper body mechanics to assist in moving, lifting, carrying, and conveying patients as necessary. Control and inventory medication, syringes, and other medical supplies or equipment as required by established procedures. Keep equipment and work areas clean; utilize appropriate sanitation methods. Document and report activities according to established policies and/or procedures, including medical file documentation. Maintain the security and confidentiality of all medical records. Observe and record behavior. Securely store medical unit supplies and equipment or ensure their safe disposal. Prepare and maintain a variety of standard narrative, statistical, summary, and operational records, reports, and logs, using appropriate grammar; review reports and records produced on shifts; properly process all reports and documents in a timely manner. Prepare and disseminate safety and accident reports as required by policy; take appropriate action in cases of serious and unusual incidents and emergencies. Communicate effectively and coherently with administration, staff, patients, and visitors, particularly in situations requiring tact, diplomacy, understanding, fairness, firmness, and good judgment. Coordinate the movement of patients to and from different areas for medical treatment. Identify patients reliably and repetitively by visual means. Engage in functions in confined areas, including working rotating shifts and physically checking doors, windows, and other areas to verify security. Endure verbal and mental abuse when confronted with hostile views and opinions of patients and others in an antagonistic environment. Provide medical care for patients, which may result in exposure to body fluids, waste, and possible encounters with deceased or contagious persons. Comply with applicable regulations, laws, rules, procedures, policies, standards, and/or contracts. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others and handle difficult interpersonal contacts. Define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Perform basic arithmetic operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals; apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations. Interpret a variety of medical and technical instructions in various formats including handwritten text, correspondence, policies, regulations, procedures, reports, and directions for forms completion. Remain alert at all times and react quickly, efficiently, and calmly in emergency and other high-stress situations.