Medical Assistant I

About the role

The Medical Assistant I serves as the first point of contact for patients within the Bassett Healthcare Network. This is a key role in the patient-centered care team, dedicated to providing an innovative, patient-focused culture that helps the population we serve achieve optimum health and enjoy the best quality of life possible.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the first point of contact for patients, ensuring excellence in all patient and customer encounters, including face-to-face and telephone interactions.
• Provide clear, accurate, and timely communication to nurses and practitioners regarding patients.
• Schedule patients accurately for optimum care and provider efficiency.
• Greet every patient courteously and professionally, using a welcoming tone and positive actions.
• Escalate emergent situations or patient concerns to an RN, Supervising Nurse, or Practitioner.
• Answer phones within 3 rings using a 3-part greeting (Department name, your name, “How may I help you?”).
• End calls by confirming if the patient needs further assistance.
• Take clear, complete, and accurate phone messages or prescription requests using the electronic medical record (EMR) system and follow up to ensure patient needs are met.
• Ensure patient communication preferences (mail, phone, or MyBassett) are up to date for appointment reminders.
• Accurately complete the Interactive Face Sheet and confirm patient demographic and insurance information.
• Remind patients about copay collection expectations.
• Review the electronic Confirm List daily to confirm appointments 24-72 hours in advance.
• Process urgent referrals on the same day and routine referrals within 24-72 hours.
• Ensure complete and accurate referral information is recorded for reimbursement, regulatory compliance, and patient care, including obtaining prior authorizations when necessary.
• Perform chart reviews to prepare for provider clinics, ensuring all necessary reports, lab work, or films are available for the physician.
• Assess and address language barriers, obtaining authorizations and equipment as needed.
• Track and ensure receipt of pertinent patient information prior to appointments.
• Prepare medication refill messages according to provider and departmental guidelines.
• Greet patients in the waiting area and escort them to exam rooms in a timely manner.
• Identify patients using two identifiers (e.g., name and date of birth) in accordance with National Patient Safety Goals.
• Document patient work-up information (e.g., vital signs, intake questions) accurately in the EMR.
• Utilize the EMR for clinical documentation, including telephone calls and patient messages.
• Enter charges for supplies and clinical testing.
• Communicate patient issues or concerns to providers.
• Distribute patient literature as necessary.
• Perform point-of-care testing (e.g., glucometer, urinalysis, anticoagulation).
• Run controls on point-of-care testing equipment and update logbooks.
• Perform EKGs per departmental protocol.
• Clean and stock exam rooms daily or as needed.
• Check medications and supplies for expiration dates according to clinical standards.
• Monitor supply levels to improve inventory control.
• Display ownership of the entire patient experience, including rooming patients, collecting vitals, and abstracting external records.
• Meet yearly competency requirements set by departmental leadership.
• Support the collection of Advanced Beneficiary Notice signatures and form processing to meet Medicare regulations.
• Date-stamp all incoming patient-related information and deliver it to the appropriate provider or staff member daily.
• Complete basic patient demographic information on forms before delivering them to nurses or providers.
• Mail outgoing patient information (e.g., lab letters, completed forms) in accordance with Bassett policy.
• Assist with routing forms to appropriate departments (e.g., Disability or Workers Compensation offices).
• Prepare outside patient health information for scanning per Document Imaging procedures.
• Process routine or subpoenaed medical record releases to assigned Health Information Management (HIM) locations.
• Handle same-day requests for medical records to ensure continuity of patient care, seeking assistance from HIM resources as needed.
• Access secure areas such as locked medicine cabinets or dirty/clean utility rooms as authorized.
• Cover other locations or departments as requested, performing similar office functions with orientation.
• Maintain sufficient clinic supplies and required forms for daily operations.
• Establish and maintain departmental record-keeping and filing systems.
• Classify, sort, distribute, and/or file correspondence, articles, mail, records, and other documents.
• Open and/or close the clinic per departmental guidelines.
• Perform monthly or quarterly environmental rounds following clinical area standards.
• Access patient health information only for job-related purposes and maintain confidentiality on a need-to-know basis.
• Maintain competency in required programs, including equipment and mandatory competencies, through continuing education.
• Attend required in-services and 85-90% of staff meetings, reviewing minutes for any missed meetings.
• Identify and attend computer training or refresher courses as necessary.
• Maintain job-specific knowledge and proficiency (e.g., point-of-care testing, phlebotomy, departmental competencies) through training and documentation.
• Stay updated on Bassett policies, procedures, and regulatory competencies.
• Attend at least 4 educational opportunities per year related to the job role.
• Perform similar or related duties as requested or directed.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED (preferred).
• Minimum of 1 year of relevant work experience (required). An associate degree or higher may substitute for one year of experience.
• Customer service experience (preferred).
• Certification as a Medical Office Assistant or Medical Assistant (preferred).
• BLS Certification (preferred).

Physical Requirements

• Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 lbs. of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 lbs. of force frequently, and/or up to 10 lbs. of force constantly to move objects.
• Occasional balancing, climbing, crouching, kneeling, lifting, pulling, pushing, reaching, and stooping.
• Occasional fit testing.
• Frequent typing/clerical/dexterity, grasping, hearing, repetitive motion, seeing/monitor/computer use, standing, talking, walking, and visual acuity (color, depth, perception).

Hazards

• Occasional exposure to bodily fluids/bloodborne pathogens, burns, chemicals, electrical hazards, explosive materials, and mechanical hazards.

Working Conditions

• Occasional exposure to noise, vibration, wet and/or humid conditions, dust, fumes, gases, mists, and odors.

Travel

The job may require travel from time-to-time but not on a regular basis.

Benefits

• Paid time off, including company holidays, vacation, and sick time.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Life insurance and disability protection.
• Retirement benefits, including an employer match.
• Additional benefits offerings may vary by location and/or position.

Pay

Salary is based on qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, training, and fair market evaluation based on industry standards.

Pay Range: $18.02 - $27.03 per hour.