Medical Assistant

Summary: Provides technical supportive services using basic nursing and communication skills, including counseling, rehabilitation, health education and preventative care under the direct supervision of a physician, podiatrist or licensed nurse (RN/LVN) and only under the written instructions of a physician or podiatrist.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

·        Collects and records medical histories, vital signs (TPR & BP), Ht. & Wt.  May perform simple laboratory and screening tests customarily performed in a medical office such as visual acuity, audiometric screening and EKG’s.  Does not assess or interpret the results of tests performed.  

·        Collects, prepares, labels and delivers specimens for microscopic examination by the provider.

·        Assists physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant and nursing staff to provide direct patient care, monitors medical condition and consults with health care providers.

·        Applies and removes bandages and dressings, orthopedic appliances such as knee immobilizers, envelope slings, orthotics and similar devices and assists physician, podiatrist, physician assistant or nurse practitioner in cast, splint and orthopedic appliance applications.   Removal of casts, splints or other external devices.  Selection and adjustment of crutches and patient instruction of proper use of crutches.

·        Maintain patient records and charts for overall auditing and maintenance to ensure completeness and accuracy of patient charts. 

·        Prepares written documents as required by the department and the profession.

·        Prepares appropriate forms as required for the patient’s medical treatment, including radiology and laboratory slips and referrals based on findings of physician or podiatrist.

·        Upon completion of minimum training described in the Medical Practice Act, administers intra-muscular, subcutaneous and intra-dermal injections, performs skin tests and performs venipunctures of skin for purposes of withdrawing blood only under the direct supervision of a physician, podiatrist or licensed nurse (RN/LVN).

·        Recalls no shows for the day and overdue tuberculin skin test readings then refers to Medical Receptionist for follow up letters or calls.

·        Gives counseling, care and follow-up instructions; health education and materials to patients under the direct supervision of a physician, podiatrist or licensed nurse.

·        Cleans work counters, sinks, examination rooms and other work areas at the end of the shift or whenever needed during the day.  Properly dispose of infectious waste and replaces with clean biohazard waste bags.

·        Orders and maintains medical supplies, as well as reporting any supply problem or defective equipment to supervisor. 

·        Maintains, cleans and sterilizes all instruments, as needed. Maintain autoclave log.  Checks all sterile items for integrity and sterility prior to use.

·        Performs monthly bacteriological testing and records results in appropriate log.

·        Administers medication orally, sublingually, topically, vaginally or rectally, or by providing a single dose to a patient for immediate self-administration.  Also administers medication by inhalation after the required training described in the Medical Practice Act.  All medications are administered under the direct supervision of a physician, podiatrist or licensed nurse (RN/LVN) and under the written instructions of a physician or podiatrist authorizing said medications.

·        Provides confidential, culturally sensitive and appropriate language translation for providers and staff.

·        Assists in answering telephones and taking messages, making appointments, filing, completing statistics and making referrals.

·        Assists in minor surgery and other specialty surgical and medical procedures.

·        May rotate or be assigned to other locations to fill in, in case of sick leave or vacation.

·        Maintains established departmental policies and procedures, objectives, quality assurance programs, safety, and infection control standards.

·        Assists in the training of new staff, volunteers or students in the medical back office.

·        Performs other related duties as required.

 Quality Management

1.      Display knowledge of normal signs of human development and ability to assess and provide age appropriate care.

2. Contribute to the success of the organization by participating in quality improvement activities.

 Customer Relations

1. Responds promptly and with caring actions to patients and employees.  Acknowledge psychosocial, spiritual and cultural beliefs and honor these beliefs.
2. Maintain professional working relationships with all levels of staff, clients and the public.
3. Be part of a team and cooperate in accomplishing department goals and objectives.

  Safety

1. Maintain current knowledge of policies and procedures as they relate to safe work practices.
2. Follow all safety procedures and report unsafe conditions.
3. Use appropriate body mechanics to ensure an injury free environment.
4. Be familiar with location of nearest fire extinguisher and emergency exits.
5. Follow all infection control procedures including blood-borne pathogen protocols

HIPAA/Compliance

1. Maintain privacy of all patient, employee and volunteer information and access such information only on a need to know basis for business purposes.
2. Comply with all regulations regarding corporate integrity and security obligations. Report unethical; fraudulent or unlawful behavior or activity.

 Minimum Necessary

• Technical Staff - Staff who provide patient care at the request of direct healthcare provider. Management involved in administrative over site of patient care, billing and operations.
• Summary Data Access – Access to summary data with treatment or diagnostic codes as needed to function. Staff in this category should confine the use of protected health information to the absolute minimum required and should not access or read full medical records.

  Qualifications:

 Education/Experience: Minimum High School Diploma or proof of G.E.D.

Vocational/Specialized Training. Certification/Registration:         Satisfactory completion of Medical Assistant Program or equivalent and complete basic Medical Assistant Skills Checklist within the probation period.  Health Care Provider CPR Certification.

Experience Minimum: One-year clinical experience in ambulatory or outpatient medical-surgical or specialty area. Preferred: Two or more years of clinical experience as a Medical Assistant in Adult Medicine and/or Pediatrics. Equipment Used:            EKG Machine, Audiometer, Pulse oximeter and other standard medical equipment as required.

Other Skills: Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred.  Ability to communicate effectively

both orally and written in English.  Good comprehension of Medical Terminology.

 Physical and Mental Requirements: Frequent prolonged standing/walking.

Occasionally lifts or positions patients.  Occasionally lifts supplies and/or equipment.

Must have yearly physical, TB test and complete Hep B series and MMR.

Working Traits: ability to handle emergency or crisis situations.  Subject to frequent calls, inquiries and interruptions.  Must be able to work under pressure and to interact courteously and effectively with patients and staff. Working Conditions: Exposed to situations related to patient accidents, illness or injuries.  Occasionally subjected to changes in provider schedules.  Occasionally subjected to irregular hours.

 Acknowledgement:

 MOUNTAIN HEALTH & COMMUNITY SERVICES is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We encourage applications from all individuals regardless of race, religion, color, sex, pregnancy, national origin, sexual orientation, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability or any other protected class, political affiliation or belief.