Medical Assistant

Description

The Organization:

Lowell Community Health Center (Lowell CHC) is a community-based health care organization. Our programs have been recognized as national models. With a career at Lowell Community Health Center, you will be joining a dynamic team of passionate and talented people.

Summary:

Under the direction of a Registered or Licensed Practical Nurse, the medical assistant provides direct patient care and assists other healthcare professionals in examining and treating patients. The medical assistant is clinically knowledgeable about practices, protocols, procedures, and paper flow. The medical assistant works collaboratively with other disciplines to ensure an integrated approach to patient care and maintains constant communication among the members of the health care team.

Provide HIV, sexually transmitted infection (STI), and Hepatitis C (HCV) education, support and screening at the Lowell Community Health Center per the standards and guidance of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Office of HIV/AIDS (MDPH/OHA).

• Provide HIV, STI, and HCV risk assessment and screening per the standards of MDPH/OHA.
• Measures vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, oxygen saturation, height and weight and records information on patient chart.
• Prepares the patient for exam.
• Communicate with patients, visitors, and co-workers in a professional and courteous manner.
• Communicate to nursing staff when unable to complete requested task or procedure.
• Collaborate with nurse in the treatment and vaccination of patients.
• Facilitate and track supported referrals.
• Helps patients resolve simple issues if necessary, and other duties as assigned.
• Performs non-direct patient care activities such as performing supply inventory and stocks medical supplies in exam rooms.
• Takes accurate and complete telephone messages for providers and answers calls according to telephone protocols.
• Collaborate with other staff in prioritizing and meeting patient needs.
• Demonstrate proficiency in phlebotomy.
• Provide outreach and recruitment as regulated by MDPH/OHA. (Includes offsite outreach).
• Document services provided in patient's EMR.
• Complete all required MDPH documentation.
• Complete monthly service delivery report.
• Participate in monthly individual administrative supervision.
• Participate in monthly group clinical supervision.

ACCOUNTABILITY FOR QUALITY MANAGEMENT

• Takes positive steps to ensure that the department and Health Center objectives are carried out.
• Carries out established standards for quality patient care for his/her area, continually striving to improve quality.
• Maintains ongoing communication with staff and other resource personnel to enhance the quality of care.
• Functions as an advocate and facilitator of quality patient care by maintaining effective working relationships with other health care providers for the purpose of enhancing patient care.
• Collect quality data and report to service line leaders.
• Collaborate with departmental leadership to develop strategies in response to quality outcomes and regulatory requirements.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bilingual Spanish/Khmer/Portuguese strongly preferred.
• Proficiency in phlebotomy preferred.
• Current Medical Assistant certification required
• Valid Driver licensed required.
• Ability to read and write in English required.
• Current BLS/CPR Certificate

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Frequently standing and walking for up to 80% of the workday or shift.
• Some lifting, pushing or pulling required up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to see and distinguish color.
• Ability to perform CPR (chest compressions).
• Able to work alone or as a crew member both inside and outside; may be exposed to extreme temperatures.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Frequent contact with patients, families, visitors, nurses and other department staff.

• Occasional requests to change work areas to cover another priority area to meet patient needs.
• Occasional stress and pressure caused by multiple simultaneous demands.
• May be exposed to various body fluids and/or infectious diseases.
• Universal precautions and techniques are included in orientation, and the availability of protective wear is supported and encouraged when the employee is at risk of exposure.