Medical Office Assistant

About the Role

Under general supervision, and according to established policies and procedures, performs the duties of a Medical Assistant and Patient Services Assistant for assigned area.

Responsibilities

• Greets visitors, registers patients, contacts various insurance providers and schedules patients according to established guidelines.
• Assists physician or physician extender with patient examination by preparing exam room, taking vital signs, assisting during exam, etc.
• Greets visitors, answers telephones and directs calls and visitors to appropriate place or person.
• Registers patients for outpatient services. Obtains necessary demographic, insurance and related data according to policies and procedures.
• Contacts various insurance providers to determine benefit levels and patient co-pays, as needed. Collects and posts payments and prepares daily deposits for monies received.
• Pulls and prepares patient charts prior to appointment. Files notes, prescriptions, face sheets and other documentation in medical record. Copies and releases medical record information, as needed.
• Assists physician with patient examinations by preparing exam room, helping to move or position patients for procedures, handling instruments, etc.
• Takes vital signs such as temperature, blood pressure and weight. Documents patient’s reason for visit and vital signs in patient’s chart.
• May perform any of the following medical procedures: giving non-intravenous injections, venipuncture, performing EKG’s, assisting with stress tests, routine x-rays, PFT’s, and other related activities.
• Obtains referrals and schedules patient’s appointments or procedures according to guidelines.
• Enters, reviews, researches and corrects computerized records of patient billing information. Provides billing company with copies of all payments and rejections.
• Performs various other support duties such as preparing laboratory slips or statistical data, typing various correspondence, training new personnel, etc.
• Follows established policies and procedures to meet minimum safety standards of JCAHO/OSHA. Actively participates in all safety training including but not limited to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and annual safety training.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Graduation from a school of practical nursing OR completion of one of the following: PCA/PCT Program, Nurse Assistant Program or equivalent training, Medical Assistant Program, or six months of experience in a doctor’s office or related area performing Medical Assistant duties, EMT, Phlebotomy training program.
• Six months direct patient care experience, preferred.
• One year of previous experience performing Medical Assistant or Patient Care Associate duties.
• One year of previous experience performing medical office clerical (e.g. insurance verification, authorizations, medical billing, EMR usage) duties in a doctor’s office or related area.
• Medical Assistant certification preferred.

Skills

• Analytical ability necessary to handle patient problems, review and verify insurance information, research billing problems and compile data for statistical reports.
• Interpersonal skills necessary to effectively communicate with patients, physicians and other personnel.
• Some mental/visual strain due to posting of payments, reviewing insurance information, etc.
• Technical knowledge of blood pressure techniques.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match
• Generous paid time off (PTO)
• Career development and continuing education opportunities
• Health savings accounts, healthcare and dependent flexible spending accounts
• Employee Assistance program, Employee discount program
• Voluntary benefits include pet insurance, legal insurance, accident and critical illness insurance, long term care, elder and childcare, auto and home insurance

Facility

DMC Sinai-Grace Hospital is DMC’s largest hospital, offering a comprehensive heart center, cancer care, gerontology, emergency medicine, obstetrics/gynecology and cosmetic services. Sinai-Grace’s joint replacement program features a revolutionary minimally invasive knee and hip replacement surgery that attracts patients from all over the country. Sinai-Grace operates more than 21 outpatient care sites and ambulatory surgery centers throughout Wayne and Oakland Counties and is one of 10 hospitals in the nation to be awarded a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grant to help set the standards of cardiac care for hospitals and physicians throughout the nation.