Medical Assistant

JOB TITLE: Medical Assistant

DEPARTMENT: Back Office

REPORTS TO: Operations Manager

POSITION OVERVIEW:

To assist patients to understand recommendations given by their health care providers; performs patient care functions; answers and screens medical calls; post patient’s information to medical records and provides support in planning continuity of treatment.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Participates with medical/Interdisciplinary team to coordinate and facilitate patient flow and chart management.
2. Maintain a Positive, self-motivated attitude at all times.
3. Performs point of care glucose testing and spot hemoglobin, documents performance of, and results, in EHR.
4. Assists with obtaining authorizations for services, ensures all required medical justification is collated and submitted, as needed.
5. Escorts patients from the reception area to all patient areas (i.e. consult room, exam room, procedure room, lab draw room, check out).
6. Reviews healthcare questionnaire for completeness and ensures any missing information is obtained.
7. Notifies treating provider when patients are ready to be seen and expedites smooth patient flow.
8. Consistently ensures all patient care areas are kept clean and tidy; changes beds (paper/linen) after each patient encounter, removes soiled linen (gowns/robes/pillow cases/sheets/blankets) and ensures clean linen is always available.
9. Proactively prepares supplies and equipment for minor procedures. (i.e. Biopsies, injections, suture removal, wound debridement).
10. Conducts a weekly check of supplies to ensure none are expired.
11. Checks all sharps container receptacles on a daily basis and ensures any full containers are replaced; full containers stored in the dirty utility room for pick-up.
12. Ensures all patient identifying information is HIPAA compliant; removes any patient identifying information and ensures it is scanned into the EHR or placed in the confidential bin for shredding as needed. Reports any issues with broken equipment and ensures it is removed and sent for repairs.
13. Schedules ordered tests as appropriate.
14. Answer telephone calls, explains clinic process, fee schedules, and services to clients. Provides general information to caller, and refers calls to the provider when necessary.
15. Patients and/or parent/guardian will be informed regarding services, contraindications, procedures, after care instructions, or counseled based on the payer requirements.
16. Assist clients in completing the medical history and medical program intake forms, and/or consents, ensuring that the patient understands when obtaining patient signature.
17. Review patient chart for completeness, errors, signatures and appropriate assembly.
18. Measures, records in NextGen and reports (to provider) vital signs, weight and height in the electronic healthcare record.
19. Assists clinicians with medical examinations as needed.
20. Makes and documents appropriate referrals and forwards them in a timely manner to the referrals clerk to ensure patient care & compliance according to agency standards.
21. Prepares treatment rooms for examination of patients.
22. Cleans and sterilizes instruments.
23. Gives injections or treatments, and performs routine laboratory tests.
24. Makes sure that all necessary equipment are available in the rooms.
25. Ensure that labs are sent to the correct laboratories, according to the patient insurance.
26. Able to cover all departments Pediatrics, Women’s health, General medicine.
27. Operates electrocardiograph (EKG), and other equipment to administer routine diagnostic test or calls medical facility or department to schedule patients for tests.
28. Consistently ensures to check oxygen tank on a weekly basis.
29. Ensures crash cart has been checked on a monthly basis.
30. Identifies, initiates and implements measures to deliver high quality care to patients and improve services.
31. Responds efficiently and timely to all patient and provider staff needs and inquiries.
32. Ensures excellent customer service to all FHCCGLA patients.
33. Works with the operations managers to manage patient scheduling and flow to address bottlenecks, scheduling issues, etc.
34. Handles patient grievances according to FHCCGLA’s Policy & Procedure.
35. Assists in developing, updates & reviews of FHCCGLA Policies & Procedures (P&P’s) as needed (with input from all other key personnel).
36. Ensures HIPAA compliance by maintaining strict confidentiality of all patient data and E.H.R./Practice Management System (PMS) according to regulations and FHCCGLA’s P&P’s.
37. Attends the following meetings/trainings
    • Mandatory Quarterly Staff Meeting/Trainings- Quarterly (Jan., Apr., Jul. & Oct.)
    • Corporate Risk Management Meeting- Quarterly (Jan., Apr., Jul. & Oct.), as needed (advanced notice will be provided when feasible)
    • Clinical & Operations (C&O) Meeting- As needed (advanced notice will be provided when feasible)
    • Meetings with FHCCGLA’s Executive Leadership, as needed (advanced notice will be provided when feasible)
38. Other pertinent meetings- As scheduled
39. Remains informed of:
    • Current legal and regulatory changes related to scope of practice.
    • Specific programs/payors, insurances accepted, and services being offered at FHCCGLA.
    • All applicable Policies & Procedures
40. Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. A. Certificate, required.
2. Current CPR Certification-required to be kept up to date.
3. FQHC experience, highly preferred.
4. Excellent analytical skills.
5. Motivation to take initiative to ensure all tasks performed are completed thoroughly and accurately.
6. Knowledge of administrative principles and procedures.
7. Computer knowledge preferred (e.g., NextGen (E.H.R. & PMS), Microsoft Word and Excel).
8. Strong verbal and written skills.
9. Ability to communicate both verbally and in writing.
10. Bilingual English/Spanish and familiarity with the Hispanic culture.
11. Access to automobile with valid California driver’s license and state mandated automobile insurance.
12. Work schedule may include evenings, overtime, and weekends as needed.
13. Ability to prioritize workload and work under pressure of deadlines.
14. Ability to meet tight time sensitive deadlines.
15. Motivated and committed to the provision of high-quality healthcare for indigent and underserved communities.
16. Willingness to adapt to changes with regards to the agency’s growth and expansion.
17. Ability to speak Spanish, preferred.

ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Observes regulations on time card use and reporting.
2. Maintains attendance as per policy.
3. Maintains a clean and safe work area.
4. Observes Fire and Safety policy and procedures.
5. Observes general Safety/Employee Health policies and procedures.
6. Maintains a current annual health screening.
7. Observes FHCCGLA Appearance/Dress standards.                           
8. Maintains the privacy and confidentiality of both client and employee with regard to medical records.
9. Displays clearly visible identification.
10. Ability to work well with others in a professional and team-oriented environment.
11. Well-developed interpersonal skills, friendly personality and able to motivate staff by promoting teamwork.
12. Ability to relate to the public regardless of ethnic, religion and economic status.
13. Excellent communication skills.
14. Willingness to travel.
15. Strong planning and organizational skills.
16. Problem analysis and critical thinking skills.
17. Excellent customer service skills.
18. Knowledge of the following (but not limited to), preferred:
    • My Health LA                     PPO’s                                  HMO’s
    • Medicare                            Family PACT                     CPSP         
    • Medi-Cal                             Fee-for-Service                 CHDP
    • Managed Care Plans       Every Woman Counts     
19. Conducts only work-related conversations when clients are waiting for service.
20. Does not discuss other staff members, policies, problems, or medical care in public areas of the clinic.