Medical Assistant

Medical Assistant

Job Summary

The Medical Assistant is a professional multi-skilled person dedicated to assisting in all aspects of medical practice under the direct supervision and responsibility of a physician.  This practitioner assists with patient care management and executes administrative and clinical procedures.  Competence in the field also requires that a medical assistant adhere to ethical and legal standards of professional practice, recognize, and respond to emergencies and demonstrate professional characteristics.  

Clinical Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision and responsibility of a licensed physician, a medical assistant may undertake the following duties:

• Perform clinical procedures to include:
• Performing aseptic procedures
• Taking vital signs
• Preparing patients for the physician’s care
• Performing venipunctures and non-intravenous injections
• Observing and reporting patients signs or symptoms
• Administering basic first aid
• Assisting with patient examinations or treatments.
• Operating office medical equipment
• Collecting routine laboratory specimens as directed by the physician.
• Administering medication as directed by the physician (Exception: medications requiring dosage calculation)
• Performing basic laboratory procedures.
• Performing office procedures including all general administrative duties required by the physician.

If a licensed physician is not on-site, a medical assistant is prohibited from performing the following:

• Nursing activities that include the use of the nursing process and require the special knowledge, nursing judgment or skills of a registered or practical nurse, including:
• The initial nursing assessment or any subsequent assessments 
• Prohibited from completing Review of Systems in the EMR
• Prohibited from performing injections (medication and/or vaccines)
• Prohibited from administering medication(s)

Medical Assistant

• Prohibited from performing aseptic procedures including wound care, dressing changes, etc.
• The determination of the nursing diagnosis or interpretations of nursing assessments
• Establishment of the nursing care goals and development of the plan of care
• Evaluation of progress in relationship to the plan of care
• Those activities for which the unlicensed assistive personnel has not demonstrated competence

Additional Position Expectations and Responsibilities

• Act as first level contact for the providers and support staff in trouble shooting issues.
• Ensure patients are properly check-in for clinical visits via Electronic Medical Record (EMR) 
• Ensure patients are properly checked-out after every clinical visit and depart with required paperwork
• Schedule patients appointments following company protocol.
• Ensures patient documentation is fully completed and recorded via the Electronic Medical Record (EMR)
• Ensures that external third-party documentation (i.e., labs, reports, consultations) are collected and sent to scan as appropriate.
• Expected to complete 48-hour chart check and contacts patient/referral providers if further information is needed
• Expected to answer phones, check and returns voicemail messages in a timely manner.
• Expected to respond to all correspondence and tasks (via letter, email, fax) in a timely manner
• Expected to have knowledge of standard (universal) precautions
• Expected to be able to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos
• Expected to be proficient in all computer software utilized for patient care
• Expected to participate as part of a multi-disciplinary team, within the scope of practice to provide patient care and other patient need in a safe, timely manner
• Expected to complete all necessary documentation, department logs and reports
• Expected to keep unit clean, restock rooms as needed, and assist with ordering supplies
• Expected to communicate effectively with all members of the patient care team
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED) required
• Completion of Medical Assistant training is required
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certificate is required
• Must have good written and verbal communication skills
• Computer knowledge

Preferred Qualifications

• At least one year of related work experience
• Certification by the American Association of Medical Assistants 
• Registered by the American Medical Technologists
• Bilingual (English-Spanish or English-Haitian Creole) a plus

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk or view a computer screen for extended periods of time
• Ability to use hands and fingers to handle or feel
• Ability to reach with hands or arms
• Ability to perform repetitive hand and wrist motions for extended periods of time
•  Ability to effectively talk and listen to patients

Relationship Reporting

• Reports to the Clinical Manager