Medical Assistant

MAJOR FUNCTION

Under the general direction of the Nurse Care Manager, does the work involved in referrals, scheduling appointments, filing, abstracting data and maintaining files in current condition; assist the nursing staff with patients as deemed necessary in accordance with established philosophy by the health center, does related work as required for the various departments. Communicates with physicians and team members about changes in patient's clinical condition, including results of diagnostic studies and symptomatology

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Completes patient referral documents and pre-certifications in time frames determined by the Health Center. Follow the referral guidelines and provide appropriate clinical information to specialists.
• Assists clinical team and staff with ancillary testing and other clinical duties as assigned
• Follows the direction of the unit manager, by assisting the nursing staff with patient care as deemed necessary.
• Maintains accurate and complete documentation in medical record and assures confidentiality of all information related to patients.
• Obtains the signatures, reports, and other items required to complete the medical records.
• Brings unusual, inaccurate and/or interesting material to the attention of the Unit Manager.
• Assists in maintaining and utilizing a variety of health record indexes, storage, recall, and retrieval systems, including automated data processing systems.
• In-puts data into various computer programs including the electronic medical record according to the tabs. Scans lab and reports in chart according to tabs and filing system.
• Assists in the maintenance of essential medical records and files.
• Notify patients to bring appropriate documents for registration and verify insurance eligibility when scheduling patient appointments.
• Adhere to scheduling rules for scheduling of appointments confirmation calls and follow-up for no show including DNKA.
• Participate with population management in collaboration with the clinical andcare teams as directed by using multiple templates tools: including preventive templates, health maintenance template, CEM, Business Objects reports, UDS reports and Performance Improvement Projects, Quality Improvement and Quality Assurance and any other plans or process to improve patient outcomes.
• Receives callers, determines their reasons for visiting the office, provides them with the required information according to procedures and sees that within the medical assistance scope, the desired objectives are achieved.
• Exhibits professional conduct with patients and fellow employees.
• Receives, sorts and distributes incoming correspondence.
• Performs varied clerical duties.
• Adhere to team daily chart check list for patient chart preparation prior to and during patient visits.
• Demonstrate team collaboration to facilitate joy in the work place.
• Responsible for the maintenance of certain log books as assigned by the department manager.
• Prepares and assist on departmental projects, form completions, and reports.
• Greets all patients/clients/customers via telephone or directly in a personal and professional manner.
• Assumes other duties as assigned by Nurse Care Manager/Supervisor.
• Demonstrates flexibility and cooperation in relation to workplace staffing and manpower needs by rotating on an emergent basis and assisting the various departments and satellites as able.
• Demonstrates consistent effort to maintain sound working relationships with subordinates, peers and superiors.
• Assists in the preparation and maintenance of patient rooms, sterile instruments, equipment and supplies to assure efficient patient interaction.
• Performs work-related duties in safe manner utilizing sound work practices as related to use of universal precautions, personal protective equipment, etc.
• Seeks guidance and validation from appropriate clinical/management resources when necessary.
• Consistently utilizes appropriate lines of authority as necessary.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist staff with Spanish interpretation if bilingual in Spanish.
• Attend job related training as mandated.
• Performs other duties and assumes other responsibilities as apparent and/or as assigned by Nurse Care Manager. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Requirements

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED); minimum one (1) year related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Completion of an accredited Medical Assistant Course.
• Certification as a Medical Assistant Preferred
• Must hold current certification in Basic Life Support.
• Ambulatory Surgery Technician Certification is required for employees who sterilize surgical and medical instruments. The employees who are required to sterilize instruments must pass the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution, INC. (CBSPD), Ambulatory Surgery Technician Exam within 6 months of hire.

LICENSURE AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS:

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND OTHER (KSAO’s)

• Meets dress code standards; appearance in neat and clean.
• Completes annual educational requirement.
• Maintains regulatory requirements.
• Reports to work on time and as scheduled; completes work within designated time.
• Wears identification while on duty; uses computerized punch time system correctly.
• Maintains patient confidentiality at all times.
• Completes in-services survey’s and returns in a timely fashion.
• Attends annual review and department in-services, as scheduled.
• Attends a minimum of 10 staff meetings annually; reads monthly staff meeting minutes.
• Represents the organization in a positive and professional manner.
• Actively participates in performance improvement and continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities.
• Complies with all organizational policies regarding ethical business practices.
• Communicates the mission, visions and goals of the facility, as well as the focus statement of the department.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.
• Pass proficiency testing in Spanish (if bilingual) within 30 days of notification of testing requirement.
• Ability to read and comprehend instructions, correspondence and memos. Ability to write correspondence; effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to, clients and other employees of the organization.
• Computer literacy.
• Skill in the application of modern office techniques and practices and the use and care of office machines and equipment. Working knowledge of common software packages necessary to perform the functions of the position.
• Ability to review and abstract data from patient records.
• Ability to work well with others and to assist the public cooperatively and courteously.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

PHYSICAL & WORK REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This position requires the manual dexterity sufficient to operate phones, computers and other office equipment. The position requires the physical ability to kneel, bend, and perform light lifting. This person must have the ability to write and speak clearly using the English language to convey information and be able to hear at normal speaking levels both in person and over the telephone. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. Generally, the working conditions are good with little or no exposure to extremes in health, safety hazards and/or hazardous materials.