Medical Assistant

About the Role

Penn Medicine is dedicated to our tripartite mission of providing the highest level of care to patients, conducting innovative research, and educating future leaders in the field of medicine. Working for this leading academic medical center means collaboration with top clinical, technical, and business professionals across all disciplines. The Medical Assistant (MA) assists the practice manager and physicians in maintaining a patient/customer focus, supports the delivery of high-quality care, shares a passion for patient and customer-centered care, and assists in meeting or exceeding patient satisfaction and financial/operational targets.

The MA provides patient care through performance of patient preparation, interviewing, technical tasks, and patient/family communication. Medical Assistants at Penn Medicine have opportunities for career growth, including advancement into roles such as Clinical Services Coordinator, Nurse, or Practice Manager. Penn Medicine offers a generous tuition benefit and a commitment to promoting from within, with over 30% of employees securing advancement opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Patient Care Accountabilities:
  • Promptly rooms patients, using EMR to alert provider that patient is ready; reviews past medical, surgical, family, smoking history, allergies, medications; notes corrections in EMR, notes medication refills needed for the physician to review, initiates self-management goal setting where appropriate, obtains patient’s vital signs, and documents in EMR.
  • Prepares chart for patient visit, understands insurance restrictions for lab work, referral needs, precertification requirements, etc.
  • Observes patient condition and communicates any abnormal data or changes to provider.
  • Assists patients as needed with walking, transfers, dressing, undressing, preparing for the exam; remains in exam room when necessary/requested.
  • Specimen management: Obtain specimens for testing (including performing phlebotomy and anterior nares nasal swab collections), performs laboratory and screening tests, records results in EMR, reconciles with logs where appropriate, documents and reports findings to providers, performs all quality controls as per Point of Care Testing guidelines, prepares specimens for transport as necessary.
  • Performs EKGs and other outpatient screening tests as per MD order and after properly preparing the patient; accurately documents results in EMR.
  • Assists with minor surgical procedures by handing instruments, maintaining sterile field, positioning of patient, and other duties within scope of responsibility.
  • Functions as a witness for procedural consents if required.
  • Responds appropriately to emergency/code situations.
  • CCA MAs, if applicable as per regulatory guidelines: Administers prescribed medications, gives injections and vaccines; reads PPD results, under the direction of the provider/orders, and documents in EMR.
  • Demonstrates competence in the observation, treatment, and care of patients across all ages, from neonate to geriatric.
• Clerical / Other Accountabilities:
  • Provides responsive and proactive telephonic patient care, including care coordination with specialists, ancillary services, hospitals, labs, home care agencies, and all other involved health services.
  • Obtains and scans documents as appropriate and required for visit: test results, faxes, reports, notes, referrals, etc.
  • Completes medical forms and other clinical requests for information as appropriate and required.
  • Prepares and sends patient correspondence as required.
  • Assists nursing staff with the maintenance of patient education materials, as needed.
  • CCA MAs: Promptly performs call-backs as directed by provider, giving patients information within their scope of practice. Provides patients with follow-up care instructions.
• Environmental / Safety Accountabilities:
  • Adheres to universal body fluids precautions and infection control policies. Disposes of infectious waste properly.
  • Promotes infection control by using appropriate hand washing techniques.
  • Ensures that the patient care areas are kept neat, orderly, well stocked, and properly prepared.
  • Cleans, disinfects, and sterilizes instruments and equipment according to protocols and checks that instruments and equipment are in proper working order. Notifies Supervisor of malfunctions.
  • Sets up equipment and instruments as per practice protocol.
  • Cleans and restocks equipment as needed.
  • Authorized to access secured areas to obtain items such as intravenous solutions and medication preparation supplies for stocking and maintaining pars in medication carts.
  • Retrieves supplies and medications/blood products from tube system. Secures stock items in appropriate location.
  • Delivers patient-specific medications/blood products to the assigned nurse or provider.
  • Maintains temperature log for refrigerator or room temperature as needed.
  • Maintains a safe environment and protects the patient from injury by observing patients who may be at risk for falls, confusion, disorientation, or wandering behaviors.
  • CCA MAs, if applicable as per regulatory guidelines: Maintains medication storage closet inventory and security; checks expiration dates; removes outdated items. Performs daily code/crash cart checks as assigned.
• Other / Regulatory:
  • Ensures compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulatory standards (e.g., TJC, DOH, FDA, HIPAA, HCFA, DPW, LCGME, SCGME).
  • Flexible and readily adopts new processes and engages in practice operation changes.

Qualifications

• BLS/CPR, as a healthcare provider per the American Heart Association (Required).
• MA Certification (Required).
• H.S. Diploma/GED (Required).
• Completion of an accredited Medical Assistant program (or higher-level equivalent) (Required).
• OR 2 years’ experience working as an MA may be considered in lieu of MA program completion.
• OR 1+ year working as a Clinical Support Representative at Penn Medicine may be considered in lieu of MA program completion.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off and paid holidays.
• Health insurance premiums that have remained flat for 5 years.
• One of the finest prepaid tuition assistance programs in the region.