Medical Assistant

Overview

The Department of Surgery at Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University is seeking an outstanding Medical Assistant to join the team.

The Medical Assistant (MA) provides essential clinical and administrative support in a fast-paced outpatient surgical environment. This role specializes in patient intake, coordination of pre- and post-operative care, patient education, and assisting providers with minor in-office surgical procedures. Because this position supports both General Surgery and Surgical Oncology services, the ideal candidate demonstrates strong critical-thinking skills, attention to detail, excellent communication abilities, and compassion for patients navigating surgical and cancer-related diagnoses.

Candidates with previous medical assistant experience are preferred; however, motivated individuals with relevant healthcare training and a willingness to learn are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Patient Intake: Room patients, obtain and accurately record vital signs (BP, pulse, temperature, respiration, SPO2), height, weight, medication reconciliation, allergies, and chief complaints in the Electronic Health Record (EHR)/Epic.

• Clinical Assessment Support: Recognize and appropriately communicate abnormal findings, patient concerns, or changes in condition to providers. Utilize critical-thinking skills to identify potential barriers to care and escalate concern as appropriate.

• Surgical Prep & Assistance: Prepare examination and procedure rooms according to sterile and aseptic protocols. Assist surgeons and advanced practice providers during minor in-office procedures, including biopsies, cyst removals, stitch/staple removals, wound debridements, and drain management.

• Wound Care: Safely remove surgical dressings, inspect surgical sites for signs of infection or complications, and apply clean/sterile dressings as directed by the provider.

• Patient Education: Reinforce provider instructions regarding surgical preparation, wound care, medication management, and post-operative recovery.

• Specimen Handling: Label, track, and log biopsy and tissue specimens accurately, ensuring immediate and seamless transfer to pathology and laboratory services.

• Infection Control: Clean, sanitize, and sterilize instruments and equipment according to organizational policies and regulatory standards. Maintain required sterilization documentation and logs.

• Surgical Coordination: Assist with scheduling procedures, coordinating diagnostic testing, and ensuring completion of pre-operative requirements.

• Prior Authorizations: Coordinate with insurance carriers to obtain prior authorizations for imaging studies, procedures, medications, and surgical interventions.

• Triage Support: Answer patient calls, route clinical concerns appropriately, and communicate provider-approved instructions, test results, and follow-up recommendations.

• Care Coordination: Collaborate with surgeons, advanced practice providers, nurses, oncology teams, primary care providers, and outside facilities to ensure continuity of care.

• Medical Records Management: Obtain and organize outside medical records, pathology reports, operative reports, and imaging studies.

• Supply Management: Monitor inventory levels, restock exam rooms and supply areas, and ensure clinical supplies remain current and available.

• Maintain complete confidentiality in compliance with HIPAA guidelines.

• Ensure accurate and timely documentation within the EHR/ EPIC.

• Complete and maintain required clinical logs including temperature monitoring, autoclave logs, and expiration of medications are documented.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications and Skills:

• Completion of a Medical Assistant training program.

• Active Medical Assistant Certification (CMA, RMA, CCMA, or NCMA) required).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience: Previous experience in a healthcare setting preferred but not required.
• Ability to learn surgical workflows, sterile techniques, and specialty-specific medical terminology.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to provide compassionate, patient-centered care.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team.
• Strong organizational and multitasking skills with the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.

Location : Location

US-VA-Norfolk