Clinical Services Associate

Entity: Clinical Practices of University of Pennsylvania (PSP) – Department: Cancer Center Valley Forge – Location: Penn Medicine Valley Forge, 1001 Chesterbrook Blvd.

About the role

The Clinical Services Associate (CSA) (Medical Assistant) assists the practice manager and physicians in maintaining a patient/customer focus, supports delivery of high-quality care, shares a passion for patient‑ and customer‑centered care, and helps meet or exceed patient satisfaction and financial/operational targets. The CSA performs both clinical and administrative duties as a Medical Assistant and as a Patient Services Associate, with the practice determining the split based on operational needs.

Responsibilities

• Promptly room patients, using EMR to alert provider that patient is ready; review past medical, surgical, family, smoking history, allergies, medications; note corrections in EMR, note medication refills needed; initiate self‑management goal setting where appropriate; obtain and document vital signs; prepare chart for patient visit; understand insurance restrictions for lab work, referrals, precertification.
• Observe patient condition and communicate abnormal data or changes to provider.
• Assist patients with walking, transfers, dressing, undressing, exam preparation; remain in exam room when necessary/requested.
• Specimen management: obtain specimens (phlebotomy, anterior nares nasal swab), perform laboratory and screening tests, record results in EMR, reconcile with logs, document and report findings, perform quality controls per POCT guidelines, prepare specimens for transport.
• Perform EKGs and other outpatient screening tests per MD order after proper patient preparation; accurately document results in EMR.
• Assist with minor surgical procedures: hand instruments, maintain sterile field, position patient, other duties within scope; function as witness for procedural consents if required.
• Respond appropriately to emergency/code situations.
• Administer prescribed medications, give injections and vaccines, read PPD results under provider direction; document in EMR (if applicable per regulatory guidelines).
• Demonstrate competence in observation, treatment, and care of patients served (neonate to geriatric).
• Responsive and proactive telephonic patient care: coordinate with specialists, ancillary services, hospitals, labs, home care agencies, etc.
• Obtain and scan documents (test results, faxes, reports, notes, referrals) as appropriate.
• Complete medical forms and other clinical requests for information.
• Prepare and send patient correspondence as required.
• Assist nursing staff with maintenance of patient education materials.
• Perform call‑backs as directed by provider, providing follow‑up care instructions.
• Adhere to universal body fluids precautions and infection control policies; dispose of infectious waste properly; promote hand washing.
• Ensure patient care areas are neat, orderly, well stocked and properly prepared; clean, disinfect, sterilize instruments and equipment per protocol; verify proper working order; notify supervisor of malfunctions; set up equipment per practice protocol; clean and restock equipment as needed.
• Authorized to access secured areas to obtain IV solutions and medication preparation supplies for stocking medication carts; retrieve supplies/medications/blood products from tube system; secure stock items; deliver patient‑specific medications/blood products to assigned nurse/provider.
• Maintain temperature log for refrigerator or room temperature as needed.
• Maintain a safe environment, protect patients from injury