Medical Assistant

About The Job

Department: Physician Practice - Primary Care
Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5pm
Location: 45870 E. Run Drive, Lexington Park, Maryland 20653

Primary Duties And Responsibilities

• Contributes to the achievement of established department goals and objectives.
• Adheres to department policies, procedures, quality, and safety standards.
• Complies with governmental regulations and accreditation standards.
• Aids providers with patient preparation, minor office procedures, and examinations.
• Serves as backup for the Patient Services Coordinator or other team members as needed.
• Participates in daily team huddles to review and prepare for scheduled patient visits.
• Screens all patients for preventative care needs, ongoing support barriers, safety concerns, and potential fall risks.
• Conducts surveillance for transitions of care, urgent/emergent care, or follow-up tasks.
• Conducts motivational interviews to include patient screening, coaching, and care needs.
• Identifies potential behavioral health needs and notifies providers of findings.
• Reports actual and potential problems concerning patients, families, and associates using established reporting protocols.
• Participates in performance improvement initiatives to improve care quality and safety.
• Maintains and audits temperature logs, ensures medication supplies are current/unexpired, checks and maintains emergency equipment, and ensures the area is free of clutter.
• Engages patients in self-management support care, health goal setting, pre-visit planning, and captures information for health care improvement activities.
• Performs selected patient and laboratory testing, including Point of Care Testing, tuberculosis skin testing, electrocardiography, pulmonary function tests, vision and hearing testing (dependent upon provider and site requirements).
• Removes sutures/staples after the provider has examined the patient and written the appropriate order.
• Documents activities in the patient's electronic medical record (EMR) or other venues based on policy.
• Documents clinically related activities accurately in the patient's EMR; performs required patient follow-up, including pap smears, Pb levels, HIV, mammograms, and STDs.
• Collects and processes specimens, completes requisitions, and documents in logbooks or other applicable forms/records.
• Provides escort for patients and assists with patient discharge activities.
• Provides chaperoning for patients per policy.
• Fulfills infection prevention and environmental responsibilities as assigned, which may include light cleaning during clinic hours and cleaning of equipment.
• Updates appropriate records of scheduled equipment maintenance and manages drug and medical supply inventories.
• Provides telephone screening services to gather information from patients, determine appropriate disposition, and document per established telephone screening protocols.
• Under onsite provider supervision, may insert intravenous catheters for physician-initiated IV fluid therapy or administration of intravenous medications.
• Under direct onsite physician supervision, may insert, remove, and monitor urinary catheters for procedures and prepare and administer oral drugs and injections limited to intradermal, subcutaneous, and intramuscular.
• May perform phlebotomy.
• Utilizes the EMR to propose patient medication refills for provider approval.
• Completes requisitions for tests (if applicable).
• Contacts insurance companies for pre-authorizations for patient medications and specialty referrals, including insurance authorization.
• Floors to other sites/locations within the system as appropriate and performs all duties at multiple sites.
• Attends scheduled meetings, including regular staff meetings and training classes for safety, infection control, OSHA, CLIA, BLS, and others as required.
• Demonstrates behavior consistent with MedStar Health mission, vision, goals, SPIRIT values, objectives, and patient care philosophy.

Qualifications

• Education: High School Diploma or GED required; Completion of an accredited Medical Assistant program preferred.
• Experience: Less than 1 year 6 months experience working in an ambulatory care medical office or equivalent required. An externship in a medical or ambulatory health setting is strongly preferred. A completed externship program at MedStar Health may be substituted for the 6 months experience in ambulatory care medical office.
• For Cardiology offices only: 6 months experience working in an ambulatory care medical office or equivalent required or a Bachelor's degree in exercise physiology/science or related major or successful completion of a cardiac technician course preferred.
• Prior experience as a medical assistant preferred.
• Licenses and Certifications: Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)-AAMA by the American Association of Medical Assistants within 1 Year required or Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)-American Medical Technologists through American Medical Technologists or equivalent within 1 Year required. CPR - Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation (includes BLS and NRP) for healthcare providers from either the American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross within 90 Days required.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Clinical competency as verified within 90-day orientation period and annually thereafter. Excellent customer service/patient interaction skills. Basic computer skills preferred.

Pay

Hiring Range: USD $19.55 - USD $34.25 /Hr.