Sr Medical Assistant Certified - Primary Care - Cinco Ranch/Richmond

About the role

At Houston Methodist Primary Care Group, the Senior Medical Assistant Certified (Sr. MA) position is responsible for functioning as an expert and demonstrates highly competent knowledge in the more technical and advanced examinations and treatments necessary to communicate appropriately and carry out delegated medical assistant level tasks under the direct supervision of a Physician and/or Registered Nurse for assigned patient populations, for providing high quality support of patient care and services.

This position oversees appropriate scope of practice (e.g., Hand Hygiene Validator, EMR super-user). The Sr. MA assists with patient examinations, procedures, diagnostic studies, treatment, and dressing changes. This position also performs general administrative duties in accordance with CLIA, HIPAA, NCQA and government standards, as well as company policies and procedures.

The Sr. MA participates in patient care under the direction of a physician and within the scope of a medical assistant. This position may also be required to schedule patient appointments, ensure medical necessity compliance, and verify eligibility for care.

Other duties include independently and expertly performing the duties and responsibilities of preceptor and clinical resource to Medical Assistants, training and orienting others as appropriate.

Responsibilities

• Assist with patient examinations, procedures, diagnostic studies, treatment, and dressing changes
• Perform general administrative duties in accordance with CLIA, HIPAA, NCQA and government standards, as well as company policies and procedures
• Schedule patient appointments, ensure medical necessity compliance, and verify eligibility for care
• Independently perform the duties and responsibilities of preceptor and clinical resource to Medical Assistants
• Train and orient others as appropriate
• Complete pre-visit planning workflow prior to visit whenever possible, including completing and/or requesting appropriate documentation
• In collaboration with the provider team, anticipate the needs of the specific patient population
• Communicate with patient, obtain and document vital signs (i.e., pulse rate, temperature, blood pressure, weight, and height), chief complaint(s), perform medication(s) review, discuss/review medical and social history (as appropriate)
• Document in patient’s electronic medical record (EMR) care administered, all diagnostic measurements, treatments and procedures in accordance with established policies and procedures
• Follow up with patient as appropriate to ensure compliance with recommendations, medications, lab/x-ray results, special visits, PCP visits, dieticians, diabetes educators, etc.
• Ensure patient utilization and activation of MyChart
• Provide care coordination with hospital, ED, consulting physicians and/or community resources whenever appropriate, including handling patient inquiries
• Role model behaviors and skills, through peer-to-peer accountability, towards improving department score for patient satisfaction
• Report observations, conditions and problems of patients to the physician and/or nurse
• Recognize abnormal clinical findings and report them appropriately
• Provide for the privacy of patients and families, keeping the safety of the patient in mind
• Accurately perform routine tests on patients such as EKG, rapid strep, urinalysis, and urine pregnancy tests
• Sterilize instruments and equipment; prepare, clean and maintain exam and treatment rooms, as well as supplies and equipment
• Use resources efficiently; does not waste supplies
• Stock exam rooms, take inventory, and order supplies
• Self-motivate to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks, minimizing incidental overtime
• Role model effective time management and coordinate colleagues to meet the overall demands of the department
• Develop skills of team members and continually assist with improving skills, performance and outcomes
• Actively participate in professional development and the development of ongoing educational activities at a department-based level
• Offer innovative solutions through participation in performance improvement activities
• Complete and update My Development plan on an ongoing basis

Qualifications

Education

• High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)

Experience

• Five years medical assistant experience with highly complex, chronic disease management or in a specialty discipline

Licenses and Certifications

• Required: Certified Medical Assistant through AAMA, NAHP, NCCT, NHA or Registered Medical Assistant or EMT
• Required: BLS – Basic Life Support or Instructor (AHA – American Heart Association)
• Preferred: CPT – Certified Phlebotomy Technician (ACA)

Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through ongoing skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
• Knowledge of medical practice and care of patients and ability to assist with examinations, diagnostic and treatment procedures, knowledge of medical equipment and instruments
• Skill in developing and maintaining clinical quality assurance to maintain accurate medical records
• Demonstrate a learning attitude toward solving problems, using good reasoning and judgment
• Provide safe patient-centered, compassionate and competent care
• Proficient in computer skills for documentation and work-related purposes
• Completes required continuous training and education, including department-specific requirements; maintain current certifications
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients, medical staff, coworkers and the public
• Ability to work with peers in a team situation
• Possess an understanding of the patient population as it relates to the clinical disease process
• Demonstrates advanced assessment competencies appropriate for level of practice

FLSA Status

Non-exempt

Supplemental Requirements

• Work Attire: Uniform – Yes; Scrubs – Yes; Business professional – No; Other (department approved) – Yes
• On-Call: No
• Travel: May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area – Yes; May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area – No