Per Diem Practice Assistant - BIDMC Orthopedics (Watertown)

Per Diem Practice Assistant

When you join the growing BILH team, you're not just taking a job, you're making a difference in people's lives.

We're seeking a Per Diem Practice Assistant to join our orthopedics team in Watertown! The Practice Assistant performs both administrative and clinical functions to support smooth and efficient practice operations, while contributing to BIDMC's promise of providing extraordinary care. Communicates with patients, other employees, and the general public in a courteous, helpful manner by phone and in person. Duties include but are not limited to greeting, check-in, scheduling, and medical assisting. Assists patients who have physical and psychological limitations with ambulation and patient care functions. Reports to Practice Manager or RN with input from assigned Physicians, Nurses, or other health care providers.

Job Description:

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required of this position.

Primary Responsibilities:

1. Performs medical assisting duties which may include, but are not limited to, vital signs, height and weight, EKGs, performing phlebotomy and assisting during routine procedures. Ensures that all patient care areas are clean, organized, stocked and ready for patient use. Escorts patients to ancillary service areas such as radiology and lab as needed.

2. Monitors, orders and/or maintains medical equipment and supplies, ensuring they are clean, sterilized, stocked and within expiration dates.

3. Performs initial review of medication lists in the electronic medical record for final review by licensed practitioners. May retrieve schedule VI and over the counter medications only, under supervision of licensed providers; is not authorized to perform licensed personnel duties, which include but are not limited to drawing up medications, medication administration or flushing IVs.

4. Performs appropriate point-of-care testing, such as lab tests and specimen collection. Implements quality control standards to ensure proper functioning and accuracy of testing equipment. Provides patients with relevant instructions for specific tests and procedures.

5. Uses the electronic medical record system (OMR) to queue prescription renewals for review by a licensed provider. As directed by a clinician, enters/scribes orders for tests, services or appointments in OMR. During the visit, accurately documents tasks, as they are completed, in OMR to ensure proper billing (Facility Worksheet).

6. Schedules related diagnostic and lab tests making every reasonable effort to accommodate patient and provider needs. Verifies patient insurance, including prior authorizations, referrals, and pre-certifications. Explains processes as needed to help patients meet their needs and insurance requirements.

7. Prepares schedules, patient charts and other documents as needed for clinical activities, in accordance with Medical Center standards. Procures and correlates medical correspondence as directed by department.

8. Performs check-in utilizing a computer system, according to standard processes. This includes but is not limited to registration and verification of demographic and fiscal information, collecting copayments, collecting/verifying health care proxy and providing patients with visit questionnaires/forms.

9. Use computer system to record whether appointment was cancelled or patient did not keep the appointment (visit disposition).

10. Monitors patients and visitors entering, waiting, and leaving the practice. Facilitates timely flow and informs patients and providers of delays in a timely manner. Acts as liaison between patient and practice staff to ensure optimal flow and service delivery. Ensures waiting room materials are organized and stocked as directed by the department. May answer and screen telephone calls.

Required Qualifications: 1. High School diploma or GED required. 2. 0-1 years of related work experience required. 3. Basic familiarity with computers. Ability to navigate at a basic level within web-based applications. 4. MA, EMT, CNA, LNA certificate or diploma or at least 5 months of direct patient care experience in a clinical or research setting, such as: experience working as a medical assistant (MA), a patient care technician (PCT) or a clinical nursing assistant (CNA); nursing or medical student with completion of one clinical rotation.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Phlebotomy Certificate

Competencies:

1. Decision Making: Ability to make decisions that are based on specific instructions, standard practices and established procedures which generally require little or no supervision.

2. Problem Solving: Ability to address problems that are routine, somewhat repetitive and generally solved by following clear directions and procedures and by identifying opportunities for process improvements.

3. Independence of Action: Ability to follow general instructions and procedures as provided. Work is monitored by supervisor/manager.

4. Written Communications: Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in written English with internal and external customers.

5. Oral Communications: Ability to comprehend and converse in English to communicate effectively with medical center staff, patients, families and external customers.

6. Knowledge: Ability to demonstrate full working knowledge of standard concepts, practices, procedures and policies with the ability to use them in varied situations.

7. Team Work: Ability to work collaboratively in small teams to improve the operations of immediate work group by offering ideas, identifying issues, and respecting team members.

8. Customer Service: Ability to provide a high level of customer service to patients, visitors, staff and external customers in a professional, service-oriented, respectful manner using skills in active listening and problem solving. Ability to remain calm in stressful situations.

Age based Competencies: Employees in this job must be competent to provide patient care to the following age groups: Young adult: 16-30 years, Middle Age: 30 - 60 years, Elderly: 60 - over.

Social/Environmental Requirements:

1. Work requires close attention to task for work to be accurately completed. Intermittent breaks during the work day do not compromise the work.

2. Work routine is fairly consistent, but employee needs to be able to use judgment to respond to events several times a week.

3. Potential exposure to adverse environmental conditions i. Daily: Exposure to dust, gas, fumes, steam, chemicals, Protective equipment required(Respirator,earplugs, mask,gloves,eyewear etc), Potential exposure to infectious diseases and/or airborne pathogens, Potential exposure to infectious diseases and/or bloodborne pathogens.

4. Health Care Status: HCW1: Regular, day-to-day contact; both face-to-face and hands-on (having close contact within three feet for at least five minutes). Examples: physicians, clinical nurses, phlebotomist, medical assistants, PFT tech, and x-ray tech.- Health Care Worker Status may vary by department

Sensory Requirements:

Close work (paperwork, visual examination), Color vision/perception, Visual clarity feet, Hot/Cold, Sharp/Dull, Smell, Conversation, Monitoring Equipment, Telephone, Background Noise.

Physical Requirements:

Medium work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and or up to 20 pounds of force frequently. Job is physical in nature and employee needs to stand and/or move around through the majority of their shift.

This job requires frequent sitting, walking, standing, bending neck, bending waist, twisting neck, twisting waist, Power Grasping using both hands, Fine Manipulation using both hands, Pushing/Pulling using both hands, Keyboard use, Reaching-above shoulder height, Reaching-below shoulder height, Lifting and carrying items weighing up to 10 lbs, Lifting and carrying items weighing up to 25 lbs, Lifting and carrying items weighing up to 50 lbs, Lifting and carrying items weighing up to 75 lbs, Lifting and carrying items weighing up to or more than 100 lbs, Pull up and/or reposition patient weighing up to 100 pounds without assistance, Pushing items weighing up to 10 lbs, Pushing items weighing up to 25 lbs, Pushing items weighing up to 50 lbs, Pushing items weighing up to 75 lbs, Pushing items weighing up to or more than 100 lbs. Rarely there may be Pull up and/or reposition patient weighing up to 250 pounds with assistance, Push a wheelchair or wheeled bed containing a patient weighing up to 250 pounds, with assistance.

Pay Range:

$21.00 - $28.26

The pay range listed for this position is the base hourly wage range the organization reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for this position at this time. Actual compensation is determined based on several factors, that may include seniority, education, training, relevant experience, relevant certifications, geography of work location, job responsibilities, or other applicable factors permissible by law. Compensation may exceed the base hourly rate depending on shift differentials, call