Medical Assistant I

Are you looking to make a difference by improving the health of our patients?  Here you will find an innovative culture that is patient-focused and dedicated to making a difference.  We are committed to helping the population we serve, and our communities, achieve optimum health and enjoy the best quality of life possible. 

The Medical Assistant I serves as the first point of contact for patients within the Bassett Healthcare Network. This is a key role in the patient centered care team. Demonstrates excellence in all patient and customer encounters including face-to-face and telephone interactions. Assures that a high-quality patient experience takes place by providing clinical support to ambulatory patient care teams through excellent customer service, attention to detail, and interpersonal skills. Responsible for providing clear, accurate, timely communication to nurses and practioners regarding patients. Responsible for accurate, appropriate scheduling of patients for optimum care and provider efficiency. Has direct patient care responsibilities.

• Receives and greets every patient in a courteous and friendly manner using a welcoming positive tone, words and actions.
• Raises up emergent situations or expressed patient problems directly to RN, Supervising Nurse, or Practitioner for assistance.
• Answers phones within 3 rings using a 3-part greeting (Name of Dept., your name, “How may I help you?”)
• Ends calls by asking patient if there is anything else we can do for them today.
• Takes clear, complete and accurate phone messages, (and follows up on these messages to make sure the patients’ needs are met) or prescription requests using the electronic medical record messaging system.
• Ensures patient preferences for communication are up to date. This will ensure appointment reminders are sent via mail, phone, or MyBassett to meet patient satisfactions.
• Accurately fills out the Interactive Face Sheet and confirms the demographic and insurance information of the patient.
• Reminds patients that the collection of their copay will be expected.
• Reviews the electronic Confirm List daily, to confirm appointments with patients 24-72 hours in advance of appointment.
• Processes electronic or written requests for urgent referrals same day. Processes electronic or written routine referral requests within 24-72 hours.
• In regard to referrals, ensures complete and accurate information is recorded in accordance with standard operating procedure to support reimbursement and regulatory compliance and patient care. When appropriate prior authorizations are obtained and documented appropriately within the referral.
• Performs chart review in preparation for providers clinic. Makes best effort to ensure that all necessary reports, lab work or films related to appointment are available for the physician at the time of the appointment using available resources. Language barriers are assessed, and authorizations & equipment obtained if necessary.
• Call and tracks pertinent patient information not received in clinic to ensure arrival prior to patient appointment.
• Based on chart review, ensures all necessary equipment and supplies are available for patients visit.
• Prepares medication refill messages by obtaining all required information per provider and departmental guidelines.
• Per protocol, staff member goes into waiting area to greet patient and rooms patient in a timely matter.
• Patient is identified using 2 identifiers, such as name and date of birth, in accordance with National Patient Safety Goals.
• Documents with accuracy patient work-up information, such as vital signs, intake questions etc., in accordance with Bassett Policy.
• Utilizes the EMR clinical documentation system in support of patient care duties, such as telephone calls, patient messages etc.
• Enters charges for supplies and clinical testing.
• Communicates patient issues/concerns to providers.
• Distributes patient literature as necessary.
• Performs all point of care testing (glucometer, urinalysis, anticoagulation etc.
• Runs controls on point of care testing equipment and ensures logbooks are updated appropriately.
• Performs EKG’s per departmental protocol.
• Cleans and stocks exam rooms on a daily basis or according to need.
• Checks medications and supplies for outdates according to standards set forth by clinical area.
• Monitors supply levels to improve inventory control.
• Displays ownership of the entire patient experience, including but not limited to, rooming of patient, collection of vitals, and the abstracting of external records.
• Meets yearly competency requirements as set forth by departmental leadership.
• Supports the collection of Advanced Beneficiary Notice signatures and form processing to meet Medicare regulations.
• Date stamps in all incoming patient related information and delivers to appropriate provider or staff person for action on a daily basis.
• Completes all basic patient demographic information on forms before delivering to nurse or provider to complete.
• Mails outgoing patient information such as lab letters and completed forms in accordance with Bassett policy.
• Assists with routing forms to appropriate Bassett department ex. Disability or Workers Compensation offices.
• Prepares outside patient health information for scanning per Document Imaging procedures.
• Sends requests for routine or subpoenaed medical record releases to assigned HIM location for processing (Regional HIM Hub site or Cooperstown HIM Department). Processes same day requests for Medical Records for patient care continuity as needed. Seeks assistance from HIM resources with any questions about how to process a release or what information to release.
• Authorized to access secure areas such as locked medicine cabinets or dirty/clean utility rooms.
• Covers at other locations or departments as requested, with orientation, performing like office functions as noted by Supervisor.
• Maintain sufficient clinic supplies and required forms for daily operations following established procedures.
• Establishes and maintains departmental record keeping and filing systems. Classifies, sorts, distributes and/or files correspondence, articles, mail, records and other documents.
• Opens and/or closes clinic per departmental guidelines.
• Performs monthly or quarterly environmental rounds by following standards set forth by clinical areas.
• Patient Health Information is accessed to perform job responsibilities and for no other reason. Patient information is kept confidential and discussed on a need-to-know basis only.
• Assumes responsibility for continuing education by maintaining competency in programs required for daily responsibilities, including equipment and mandatory required competencies.
• Attends required in-services as requested by supervisor.
• Identifies need for computer training or refresher courses and attends as necessary.
• Attends 85-90% of all staff meetings, reviewing minutes of any meetings missed.
• Maintains job specific knowledge and proficiency (point of care testing, phlebotomy, & departmental competencies or checklists) by attending meetings, training and reading all pertinent training documentation and memos as documented on annual in-service record.
• Maintains a thorough knowledge and understanding of Bassett policies and procedures as well as regulatory competencies.
• Required to attend 4 educational opportunities per year related to job role/function.
• Performs similar or related duties as requested or directed.

Education:

• High School Diploma or GED, preferred

Experience:

• Minimum of 1 year of relevant work experience, required
  • Associate degree or higher may be substituted for one year of relevant work experience
• Customer service experience, preferred

Licensure/Certifications:

• Certification as a Medical Office Assistant or Medical Assistant, preferred
• BLS Certification, preferred

Physical Requirements:

• Medium Work - Exerting up to 50 lbs. for force occasionally, and/or up to 20 lbs. of force frequently, and/or up to 10 lbs. of force constantly to move objects
• Occasional balancing, climbing, crouching, kneeling, lifting, pulling, pushing, reaching, stooping
• Requires occasional fit testing
• Frequent typing/clerical/dexterity, grasping, hearing, repetitive motion, seeing/monitor/computer use, standing, talking, walking, visual acuity (color, depth, perception)

Hazards:

• Occasional bodily fluids/bloodborne exposure, burns, chemical, electrical, explosive, mechanical

Working Conditions:

• Occasional noise, vibration, wet and/or humid, dust, fumes, gases, mists, odors

Travel:

• The job may require travel from time-to-time but not on a regular basis

Bassett Healthcare Network’s commitment to our employees includes benefit programs carefully designed with the needs and values of all our employees in mind. Many of the benefits we offer are paid fully or in large part by Bassett. Our generous benefits offerings include:  

• Paid time off, including company holidays, vacation, and sick time
• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Life insurance and disability protection
• Retirement benefits including an employer match 
• And more!

Specific benefit offerings may vary by location and/or position.