Certified Medical Assistant - Podiatry, Echo Cliffs

POSITION SUMMARY

This position will provide services in the Echo Cliffs Health Center as assigned.  The incumbent will work under the supervision of a Licensed Independent Practitioner (e.g. physician, dentist, and nurse practitioner).  Medical assistants perform a broad range of administrative and clinical duties to facilitate the work of the Licensed Independent Practitioner (LIP). Certified Medical Assistant will be responsible for gathering necessary vital signs from patients, prepare and send laboratory specimens for routine tests, sets up and cleans examination room, maintains supply stock in between exams, and record data under direct supervision of the provider or LIP.   

NECESSARY QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

High School Diploma or GED

Certification:

• Must be a Certified Medical Assistant from one of the following accrediting bodies: American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), American Medical Technologists (AMT), National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT), or National Health Center Association (NHA)
• Approved medical assistance training program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP); the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES); a medical assisting program accredited by any accrediting agency recognized by the USD of Education or a training program the meets or exceeds and verifies the entry-level competencies of a medical assistant prescribed under R4-16-402(A).)
• Must have and maintain a current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification by the American Heart Association (AHA)

Experience:

Demonstrated satisfactory performance during clinical experiences as a part of an accredited program as evidenced by positive references from clinical instructors

Other Skills and Abilities:

A record of satisfactory performance in all prior and current employment as evidenced by positive employment references from previous and current employers.  All employment references must address and indicate success in each one of the following areas:

• Successful and positive working relationships; seen as a team player
• Possession of high ethical standards and no history of ethics complaints
• Reliable and dependable; reports to work as scheduled without excessive absences
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret the most complex documents and respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints
• Excellent customer service skills and telephone etiquette
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Suite applications and EMR system.
• Knowledge of infection control procedures, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and safety precautions
• Completion of and, above-satisfactory scores on all job interviews, demonstrating to the satisfaction of the interviewees and TCRHCC that the applicant can perform the essential functions of the job
• Successful completion of and positive results from all background and reference checks, including positive employment references from authorized representatives of past and current employers demonstrating to the satisfaction of TCRHCC a record of satisfactory performance and that the applicant can perform the essential functions of the job
• Successful completion of fingerprint clearance requirements, physical examinations, and other screenings indicating that the applicant is qualified to be employed by TCRHCC and demonstrating to the satisfaction of TCRHCC that the applicant can perform the essential functions of the job
• Submission of all required employment-related documents, applications, resumes, references, and other required information free of false, misleading, or incomplete information, as determined by TCRHCC.

MENTAL AND PHYSICAL EFFORT

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical:

Work requires prolong periods of standing, walking, sitting, bending, talking or hearing and reaching with hands and arms. This position requires extended use of hands to finger, handling and feeling as well as intermittent pushing/pulling, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling. Agility and ability to lift up to 25 pounds of heavy and/or disabled patients for an extended period of time. Must also be able to hear alarms on equipment, client calls and instructions from physician and or department staff.  Must have close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. This position also requires prolonged repetitive motion of both feet, both hands, grasping with simple/light and firm/heavy as well as fine dexterity.

Mental:

Must be able to prioritize and use good judgment; must be able to coordinate a variety of issues while being frequently interrupted.

Environment:

This job may have intermittent exposure to outdoor weather conditions and exposure to infectious diseases. The typical noise level for this position is moderate.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Assists with direct patient care procedures and related tasks; checks patients in, assists in obtaining patient histories, takes vital signs, prepares records and assists with medical examinations. Responsible for obtaining and recording (into the electronic health record) patient information as assigned per policy (i.e., vital signs, height, weight, etc.).
2. Provides care to assigned patients under the direction of a LIP in accordance with established policy. Provides basic care to patients with a variety of conditions, illnesses and/or injuries (i.e. apply and remove dressings, slings, braces, apply heat and cold packs; assist patient in ambulation, transferring, positioning, etc.). 
3. Assist the LIP in examination of patients by explaining procedures, positioning, draping and assembling instruments and supplies.
4. Performs the following procedures, after approved specific formal training and completion of required competencies. Any required specific training and competency testing required for the procedures in an ambulatory setting will be completed in addition to standard outpatient service training:
   1. Performs waived testing (e.g., glucometer testing, rapid strep testing and colorimetric urinalysis) and records the results in compliance with regulations/standards. Complies with the laboratory requirements (i.e., CLIA, Joint Commission) for quality control of waived testing for accuracy and record keeping. 
   2. Obtains bacteriologic specimens such as clean-catch urine specimens and topical cultures. Assists with incision and drainage procedures.
   3. Performs less complex dressings and treatments without assistance. Assist with cleaning, irrigating, and dressing complex wounds.
5. Prepare and administer medication as directed by the LIP. Administer injections – IM (intermuscular), SQ (Subcutaneous), and ID (Intradermal).
6. Instruct patients in proper collection of urine samples. Prepares samples for analysis (e.g., labels specimen tubes).  Routes requisition forms to consultative services, dietary, laboratory and radiology.
7. Shares the responsibility for reporting observations by observing the patient’s conditions and reactions, and by keeping the provider informed of changes in clinical condition.
8. Schedules and monitors patient appointments; may coordinate routine office like activities and administrative functions with supplemental staff of the clinic. Shares the responsibility of maintenance of clinical records. Utilize established software to data enter immunizations, follow-up on laboratory and radiological exams, or other computer functions as required by mobile clinical services or outpatient department.
9. Educates and advises patients on specified medical issues within established parameters. Practices safety, environmental, and/or infection control methods.  Prepares any patient related documentation for the provider or patient.
10. Maintains a courteous and professional manner in contact with patients, family, and other clients. Assists in answering telephones and supplying routine information per policy.
11. Performs general non-direct patient care duties at the site-based clinics including cleaning, arranging, and restocking supply cabinets from supplies; cleaning and sorting supplies, instruments and equipment; calling attention to deficiencies in supplies and equipment; cleaning  refrigerators and assisting with maintenance of temperature logs; and maintains a clean and safe patient environment.
12. Participates in performance improvement activities and data management responsibilities. Fosters a collaborative environment, using a team approach to share ideas and to promote safe, patient centered care.
13. May be required to work additional hours to maintain patient care. Floats to other clinics to meet patient care needs during staffing shortages.
14. Completes all electronic health record entries accurately and timely pertinent to patient care role. 
15. Participates all departmental workflow and/or testing teams as related to electronic health record or other project initiatives.
16. Ensure proper PPE is worn at all times while on duty including but not limited to, face mask, gloves, gown, isolation gown, NIOSH-approved N95 filtering facepiece respirator or higher, if available), and eye or face shield.
17. Complete all donning and doffing tasks in a safe acceptable method and discard of used PPE accordingly. (see CDC website for most current updates)
18. Completes all electronic health record entries accurately and timely pertinent to patient care role.
19. Participates in departmental workflow and or testing teams as related to electronic health record or other project initiatives.
20. Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.