Medical Assistant

About the role

The Medical Assistant I functions at the entry level of a Medical Assistant in clinical and clerical support as part of a patient care team of providers and nurses who provide direct patient care at the health centers. By the end of the first 6 months, with training provided, the Medical Assistant I should have mastered essential duties defined below and be ready to advance to a Medical Assistant II.

Responsibilities

• Administrative - Registers, schedules, and verifies appointments; reviews the next day's schedule and prepares for patient visits; verifies patient insurance; explains fee schedules and collects any required co-payment; receives and greets patients and visitors; calls and assists patients into examination rooms; collects any lab results, outside records, and needed paperwork for the visit; prints labels; prepares encounter forms and charting notes; schedules referral appointments; demonstrates effective communication and written skills; mails out results.
• Clinical - Interviews patients and records information to document patient reason for visit and any health problems; obtains patient’s medical history differentiating between subjective and objective information; obtains patients vital signs and reports abnormal readings to the provider; follows universal precautions in accordance with FCCH policies and procedures; maintains confidentiality of patient information in accordance with HIPAA; assists provider with exams and procedures; performs visual exams using eye chart; performs EKG’s; prepares exam rooms for any expected procedures; cleans and sanitizes exam rooms after each visit and as needed; cleans, wraps, and labels instruments for autoclave; maintains exam rooms with medical forms and supplies; may serve as an interpreter as appropriate; explains discharge plans to patient; administers medication through inhalation, ears, eyes, orally and by injection after required trainings have been completed and having been observed and signed off by a provider or licensed health professional; performs subcutaneous and intramuscular immunizations after completion of an immunization/injection class and been observed and signed off by a provider or licensed health professional; performs in-house test such as strep, BGL, hematocrit (HCT), chemstrip UA, HCG, hemoglobin A1C’s and urine drug screens; other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Minimum Education and Experience - High School graduate or GED certificate and Graduation from a technical school as a Medical Assistant or equivalent. Bi-lingual (English/Spanish) is preferred.
• Licenses/Certifications Required - CPR Certification must be obtained within first 6 months of hire and maintained.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required - Patient interviewing techniques; Basic medical terminology; Vital signs/ abnormal values; Patient charting; Exam room maintenance; Provider orders; Instillation of drops and ointments in the eye or ear; Oral medications; Communication skills; Basic lab; EKG; OSHA guidelines, blood borne pathogens and universal precautions; Various positions and methods used for different exams; Eye exams; Introduction to autoclave; Basic Insurance, coding and Billing terminology; Various instrument parts (i.e., handles, locks, teeth, serrations) and classifications; Instruments used for various types of examinations; Procedures for the care and sterilization of non-disposable instruments and the care and the disposal procedures for disposable instruments; Procedures for performing subcutaneous, intradermal, and intramuscular injections; Procedure for obtaining a drug from a vial or ampoules; Needle sizes and syringe type necessary for injection type; Categories, forms, and uses of drugs; Procedures for obtaining sterile, clean catch, timed, and drug screening specimens; Procedures for performing urinalysis, including physical characteristics, chemical (dipstick), and microscope preparation; ECG procedure for patient preparation, lead placement and obtaining a 12-lead electrocardiogram; TJC and related accreditation and certification; Knowledge and familiarity with compliance program; Cooperate fully and comply with laws and regulations; Ability to obtain a blood pressure and knowledge of cuff sizes and recognition of normal and abnormal readings; Take a pulse; recognize normal and abnormal readings, and knowledge of various locations that can be used; Obtain a respiratory rate and the knowledge of normal and abnormal readings; Obtain height and weight information to include pediatric/adult; Obtain temperatures via oral, rectal and axillary methods; Obtain throat culture swab; Communicate effectively with patients and their families to make their visit a pleasant experience; Use a multi-line telephone system; Use a computer to enter and access patient data to complete a discharge plan; Work on multiple tasks within established deadlines; Ability to work under the direction of a provider and follow instructions for work completion; Take the initiative to resolve patient concerns and problems; Work well with diverse groups of people; Work well as a team member; Maintain confidentiality of records and information; Follow routine verbal or written instructions.