Medical Assistant I

Job Summary:

Supports practitioner and clinical team to accomplish proactive patient management as delegated by and under indirect supervision of clinic nursing supervisor, and with direction from charge nurse, staff nurse, or practitioner. Performs variety of technical, clerical, reception and patient care duties assisting practitioners and other members of health care team in providing high quality patient care through health care system. Prepares sterile and un-sterile fields and assists practitioner with minor procedures and occasional office-based surgical procedures. Identifies, draws up, and labels medications for immediate verification and use by the practitioner. Assists practitioner with administration of medications in accordance with established guidelines, policies and procedures, as ordered by authorized practitioner and delegated by practitioner or nurse, and upon completion of clinical competency requirements. Assists in resolving and/or responding to non-clinically related patient complaints and inquires. Acts as preceptor/trainer. Collaborates with clinic nursing supervisor to develop operational strategies and process improvements for department/unit. Assists practitioner with highly specialized procedures (e.g. frequent office-based surgical procedures, chain of custody urine collection, splint manufacturing, medicine administration) after completion of training and competency requirements, in accordance with policies/procedures, and as delegated by clinic nursing supervisor and ordered by authorized practitioner.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Interacts with patients, families, customers, and other members of health care team in courteous and professional manner. Recognizes needs and concerns of members and employees while maintaining positive working relationships.
• Obtains, identifies and records vital signs, prevention data, medications, chief complaints and other pertinent information. Demonstrates and applies critical thinking skills. Observes, records and reports pertinent patient symptoms, reactions, condition changes and information; immediately identifies and reports to RN or practitioner all adverse observations, reactions, conditions or emergency situations. Uses data systems to identify and pend orders for prevention and screening services. Provides for physical and emotional comfort, and safety of patient. Accepts orders from practitioner for treatments and procedures conducted in unit within scope of work and competencies. Transcribes patient specific data into electronic system using practitioner generated ICD-9 and CPT codes for purposes of billing, coding, and clinical data reporting and analysis.
• Anticipates providers needs during patient procedures. Adjusts to changes in procedures, assignments, or workload as directed by provider.
• Serves as member of health care team. Performs efficiently and remains calm in emergency patient care/clinic situations. Follows established procedures and informs appropriate persons. Prioritizes care based on acuity of patient.
• Prepares room and instruments for use during exam or procedure. Assists practitioner or RN with wide variety of patient care procedures and tests. Collects, labels and processes specimens as required by practitioner and in accordance with policies and procedures. Performs point-of-care laboratory tests as authorized by policy and delegated by nursing supervisor.
• Reviews written instructions/educational materials with patient and family regarding preparation and/or follow-up for diagnostic tests, medical procedures, surgeries, and treatments as ordered by practitioner, nurse or nursing supervisor.
• Coordinates efforts with nursing supervisor, staff and other departments to maintain standards of patient care.
• Assists practitioner with administration of medications as ordered by authorized practitioner and delegated by practitioner or nurse in accordance with established guidelines, policies and procedures, and upon completion of clinical competency requirements.
• Applies and removes dressings and pads as ordered by practitioner; applies and removes unna boots as ordered by practitioner and under direct supervision of nurse or practitioner, and after completion of training and competency requirements. Packs wounds under personal supervision of practitioner or RN.
• Applies and instructs patients in the use of pre-manufactured splints, braces and other orthotic devices using pre-printed instructions. Manufactures and applies orthotic inserts and posterior fiberglass night splints as ordered by practitioner and under direct supervision of practitioner or nurse, and after completion of training and competency requirements. Instructs patient on use of device utilizing pre-printed materials.
• Assists practitioner by setting up sterile and unsterile fields and assisting with routine, minor surgical procedures as delegated by nursing supervisor, nurse and/or practitioner, in accordance with established guidelines, policies and procedures, and upon completion of clinical competency requirements. Identifies, draws-up and labels medications on sterile and unsterile field for immediate verification and administration by the practitioner in accordance with established guidelines, policies and procedures. Verbalizes preparation and shows practitioner medication container as ordered by authorized practitioner, calls patient prescriptions to pharmacy. Assists practitioner with highly specialized procedures (e.g. medicine administration, highly specialized and technical office-based medical or surgical procedures, splint manufacture, chain of custody urine collection) in accordance with established guidelines, policies and procedures, as ordered by authorized practitioner and delegated by nurse, and upon completion of clinical competency requirements.
• Respects patients rights to privacy, dignity and safety. Provides emotional support to patients as appropriate.
• Documents patient care interactions and activities following clinic standards, including all findings, instructions and patient responses.
• Ensures equipment is available and in clean, safe and operable condition. Follows appropriate procedures for reporting malfunctions, repairs or replacements within limits of authority. Identifies and reports equipment needing required maintenance or inspection.
• Maintains and promotes clean, safe and well-equipped environment for patients, family members and staff. Follows departmental and organizational directives to isolate and process contaminated instruments and supplies. Cleans rooms, furniture, instruments and equipment according to established policies and procedures.
• Reviews, compiles, documents and prepares paper or on-line clinical records for clinical encounters. Retrieves other clinical documentation and records as requested. Retrieves and/or delivers mail for practitioners and healthcare team members. Informs practitioner of diagnostic results to assure expeditious follow up. Notifies practitioner of patient cancellations, postponements, and failures to show.
• Encourages open channel of communication with co-workers and supervisor. Relays pertinent information to staff members in own department or other departments. Assures information is accurate and complete.
• Assists patients and/or family members with non-clinical complaints or inquiries, such as customer service, appointment scheduling, etc. Refers clinically related problems or issues requiring higher level intervention to clinic nursing supervisor or designated patient concerns resource personnel.
• Receives telephone calls. Transfers calls from patients for clinical concerns or questions to registered nurse (RN) or practitioner. Provides information to callers on service related questions. Arranges patient appointments based on guidelines specific to severity level and type of procedure. Answers and makes telephone calls regarding prescription refills. Relays normal diagnostic results according to patient specific instructions as ordered by practitioners. Relays messages between caller and practitioner or other member of health care team. Processes referrals as directed.
• Assists and supports receptionist(s) with daily and procedure/operating room schedules. Prepares and administers monthly calendar and practitioners schedules as they intersect with other departments and services. Identifies and reports problems with accuracy and completeness of appointment data, monthly practitioner and nursing schedules. Reviews, coordinates and documents scheduling corrections and changes. Adjusts practitioner schedules to accommodate same day appointments, patient surgeries/procedures, and/or patients schedule.
• Maintains familiarity with various schedules, clinic procedures, surgeries, coding techniques and preferences unique to individual practitioners and nursing staff.
• Assists in meeting organizational standards by gathering documents for practitioner notes and orders, and alerting practitioner about problems. Transcribes patient specific data into electronic system using practitioner generated ICD-9 and CPT codes for purposes of billing, coding and clinical data reporting and analysis.
• Directs patient to business office for financial concerns.
• Assures office, exam rooms and storage area is adequately stocked with supplies.
• Represents, attends and participates regularly in staff meetings, interdepartmental committees, and other department meetings to address concerns and issues in department/clinic and for improvement of patient care.
• Uses supplies conservatively to maintain inventory control and contain costs. Orders, inventories and maintains maintenance records/par levels of supplies.
• Prioritizes and coordinates daily workflow and activities.
• Participates in projects as requested.
• Adheres to organizational, departmental and clinic specific standards, policies, procedures, processes, protocols or guidelines. Performs duties in accordance with departmental scope of service and medical assistant scope of work.
• Demonstrates and applies knowledge, skills and competency in required clinical skills and use of clinical equipment.
• Demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to provide care and/or service appropriate to age groups served.
• Demonstrates sufficient knowledge, skills, and abilities in area of specialization.
• Assists with orientation of new clinic personnel. Updates nursing supervisor on new employees progress. Notifies nursing supervisor when special training required.
• Acts as preceptor/trainer or assists in training of new clinic personnel on non-clinical procedures. Provides feedback to nursing supervisor on progress and performance. Provides training and in-services to existing staff on medical assisting related topics that are within scope of practice.
• Recommends changes in non-clinical activities and department/unit activities to improve quality of patient care and balance workflow. Collaborates with nursing supervisor to develop operation strategies. Identifies issues and recommends solutions.