Medical Assistant

About the role

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. This role supports both General Surgery and Surgical Oncology services.

Responsibilities

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

Requirements

• Completion of a Medical Assistant training program.
• Active Medical Assistant Certification (CMA, RMA, CCMA, or NCMA) required.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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.