Medical Assistant

Overview

Provide medical support assistance for clinic patients following established standards and practices.   Greets and assists patients as needed.  Assist in obtaining, organizing, and maintaining patient files.  Assists nursing and office staff with answering/returning patient phone calls.   Assist with administrative tasks as needed including entering office charges into electronic health record.  Assist physician and other clinical staff with patient exams and procedures and provide healthcare support. 

Responsibilities

Works in coordination with and as directed by Physician, Nurse or Office manager as various duties require.

Escort patients to exam room; take history and vital signs as indicated.

Prepare exam/treatment rooms with necessary instruments.

Instruct patient in collection of samples, testing, and procedures.

Schedule appointments, exams, surgeries and tests as needed.

Screen and respond to triage calls and ensure follow-up by nurse or physician.

Obtain and send medical reports and records from other healthcare providers as needed.

Sterilize equipment and instruments as used daily.  Clean and stock rooms as scheduled or necessary

Attend required clinical meetings.

Assists with obtaining prior authorizations for applicable procedures/tests and assists in completing FMLA and work release forms and other related forms.

Perform phlebotomy procedures (if any) as ordered, coordinates lab samples to applicable outside labs for processing and completes/assists in the “in office” lab processing/reporting. Complete all applicable online and other lab requisitions necessary to accompany blood to outside labs. 

Administer injections, immunizations, medications, as directed by physicians.

Assist physicians and other clinical staff with patient exams, treatments and in-office procedures. 

Assists physicians and other clinical staff with patient prescriptions.

Assists with disposing of medical waste appropriately. 

Enter office charges and performs related support duties as assigned via clinic EMR.

Maintain patient privacy in all matters including written medical records and computer records.

DCH Standards:

• Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
• Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook
• Must adhere to the DCH Behavioral Standards including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues and with self.

• Performs essential job functions in a manner that ensures the safety of patients, visitors and employees.
• Identifies and reduces unsafe practices that may result in harm to patients, visitors and employees.
• Recognizes and takes appropriate action to reduce risks and hazards to promote safety for patients, visitors and employees.

• Requires use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
• Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalent

Prior experience as a medical assistant in an outpatient medical practice other medical facility.

Knowledge of general medical office procedures.

Certificate of graduation from a medical assistant training course - preferred.

Ability to operate basic office equipment.

Attentions to detail and to work with frequent interruptions.

Excellent verbal communication skills to interact with patients and other visitors.

Ability to establish effective working relationships with medical staff and co-workers.

Ability to maintain patient confidentiality.

Must be able to read, write legibly, speak, and comprehend English. 

WORKING CONDITIONS

Requires manual dexterity.  Position is in a clinic setting requiring mostly standing, reaching, bending, and stooping during the course of each day.  Occasionally requires lifting up to 40 pounds from floor to shoulder level.  May require use of footstool to reach top shelves.  The position includes exposure to human body fluids, disease, infection, lab chemicals and hazard material.  The position requires wearing common protective or safety equipment. The position requires good communication skills, involves contact either face to face, by email or over the phone with co-workers, physicians, and patients.  

Physical presence onsite of essential.  Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range.  Able to perform the duties with or without reasonable accommodation.