Medical Assistant II - Newport Beach Multispecialty Clinic - Full Time 8 Hour Days (Non-Exempt) (Non-Union)

About the role

The Medical Assistant II position at Keck Medicine of USC's Newport Beach Multispecialty Clinic offers support to medical care providers in an outpatient/clinic setting. The role involves a variety of duties including rooming patients, setting up equipment and instruments, assisting providers with exams and procedures, cleaning and stocking exam rooms, and documenting patient information.

Responsibilities

• Accurately document, record, and update patient’s medical history, and all other medical information as requested by provider, in electronic and/or paper medical record.
• Perform all necessary tests for providers to adequately diagnose patients.
• May perform screening tests, including vision, EKG test, pulmonary function test and other tests within scope of practice as ordered.
• May perform laboratory duties to include, e.g.; drawing blood, obtaining blood specimens for testing, urine analysis, and urine and throat cultures as needed and ordered.
• May administer immunizations, injections and medication, within scope of practice and as per provider’s orders, and complies with immunization and medication administration handling and storage policy and procedure.
• Provide assistance to physicians during minor procedures by setting up instruments and medications, responding to physician needs during procedure and prepare instruments after procedure for reprocessing.
• Process patient requests for medication refills including contacting pharmacies to order prescription refills. Determine the need for physician review of prescription refills.
• Be willing to be trained and use newer technologies (training will be provided).
• Assist and educate patients on how to take their medications.
• Handle daily schedule to assure that patients are seen at proper intervals.
• Maintain equipment and supplies for patient examination rooms. This includes dating topical medications and removing expired materials.
• Properly clean/disinfect instruments and equipment routinely.
• Prepare the necessary supplies for diagnostic testing, exams, and procedures.
• Provide basic maintenance of all clinic equipment.
• Ensure instruments and devices are clean, fully functional, and sterilized if necessary.
• Ensure rooms are stocked daily with medications and supplies, place orders as necessary and appropriate.
• Consult with physician concerning test results and alert physician to positive test results or test abnormalities.
• Report patient concerns, symptoms, reactions, and changes to licensed clinic personnel.
• Serve as liaison between the medical staff and patients to answer questions, coordinate patient care, and/or provide patient education.
• Maintain confidentiality of all records and information related to patients, physicians, employees, the University and in related interests.
• Obtain, document and update in appropriate system(s) all necessary patient information.
• Provide technical support services where needed.
• Triage patient issues to achieve timely resolution. Resolve patient problems related to such matters as billing, coordination of patient tests, appointments, and/or medical records.
• Respond to patient messages and/or voicemails, same day.
• Respond to requests by doctors and technical staff during clinic. Make phone-calls as requested and obtain records as needed.
• For cancellations and no-shows, follow appropriate steps as per policy.
• Maintain clinic/patient flow, balancing patient registration requirements, patient appointment times, and non-appointment activities.
• Serve as a liaison between outpatient clinics and programs in administrative matters. Help to maintain a therapeutic atmosphere by providing a supportive interface between patients, providers, and staff.
• Absorb schedule changes made by providers.
• Review active worklist(s) and address patient account needs.
• Always maintain and protect patient confidentiality.
• Keep clinic and patient reception area(s) organized and neat.
• Maintain adequate levels of front and back-office supplies.
• Assist with abstracting, scanning, and cataloging paper records into the electronic record.
• Support and participate in department huddles and team meetings.
• Greet Patients and Perform Check-In/Out Process
  • Interface with electronic medical records and scheduling system(s).
  • Provide excellent customer service.
  • Verify/update demographic and insurance information.
  • Confirm/obtain Primary Care Provider and Referring Provider information.
  • Scan insurance/ID card(s) and any other pertinent insurance material(s).
  • Explain consent/HIPAA forms and noncovered services forms to patient and obtain patient’s signature(s) on all relevant forms.
  • Assure patient has completed patient questionnaire(s), as needed.
  • For managed care patients, assure that preauthorization is present, when needed, and that preauthorization is accurate.
  • Accurately collect co-payments/deductibles and patient’s fees for services via check, cash, or credit card and document, per protocol.
  • Arrive patients using the proper registration system(s).
  • Politely inform patients of possible delays relating to their appointments.
  • Collate chart appropriately.
  • Perform patient encounter in computer system(s).
  • Schedule future appointments, procedures, ancillary testing and/or enter recalls as indicated by patient’s provider(s).
  • Provide disposable dark glasses (i.e., mydriatic specs) for patient’s that have been dilated.
  • Make calls for patient transportation, upon appropriate patient request.
• Perform all tasks in a safe manner in compliance with organizational safety policies and according to applicable regulations; maintain a neat workstation and environment.
• Maintain confidentiality of all records and information that pertains to patients, physicians, employees, the organization and in related interests.
• Patient Registration and Appointment Scheduling
  • Obtain, document and update in appropriate system(s) all necessary patient information. This involves interaction with various insurance companies, and other payors/institutions.
  • Verify coverage with appropriate insurance or health care plan carrier.
  • Accurately coordinate the registration, referral, and scheduling activities of the assigned area(s).
  • Ensure patients are accurately scheduled.
  • Input validated patient registration information into the organization’s information systems.
  • Routinely review existing scheduling templates for future appointment availability in order to effectively schedule patient’s appointments.
  • Answer telephone lines and make necessary patient accommodations in the assigned Hospital Operations/Ambulatory Services location.
  • Provide information to callers regarding the department and its patient care services.
  • Correctly enter patients’ recalls for patients’ future visits in the appropriate practice management systems.
  • For patients wishing to be seen in other geographic areas, make appointments with conveniently located clinical faculty.
  • Appointment-making includes obtaining pre-authorizations and other documentation, as appropriate. “Other documentation” may include, for example, pertinent notes from previously seen providers.
  • Provide location and office hours of emergency services to patients who state they are experiencing an emergency.
  • Perform other duties or projects, as assigned, or requested.

Requirements

• High school or equivalent
• Graduate of an approved Medical Assistant Certificate/Diploma program.
• 1 year Experience in outpatient or ambulatory clinic setting
• Experience with an electronic medical record (EMR)
• Ability to analyze clinical and administrative information and determine appropriate course(s) of action to resolve conflicts and discrepancies.
• Ability to interact effectively with patients, staff, and physicians.
• Ability to multitask effectively.
• Ability to work as a team member in hospital operations/ambulatory services setting.
• Ability to work with Microsoft Word & Excel software.
• Ability to write concisely and clearly, edit, and proofread to ensure grammatically correct and factual correspondence.
• Demonstrate professional and effective work skills to handle all responsibilities within a fast-paced, high pressure setting.
• Knowledge and proficiency with insurance.
• Knowledge of Medical/CCS billing/authorization guidelines.
• Knowledge of the operations and maintenance of patient-related testing equipment.
• Skill in acquiring accurate medical histories.
• Strong insurance verification and pre-registration background.
• Strong organizational and follow-up skills.
• Working knowledge of basic medical terminology and diseases.

Qualifications

• Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider from American Heart Association
• Fire Life Safety Training (LA City)

Pay

The hourly rate range for this position is $22.00 – $34.18.