Medical Assistant (South Shore) - Full Time, Days

Be a part of a world-class academic healthcare system, the University of Chicago Medical Center, as a Medical Assistant with our South Shore Senior Center. UChicago Medicine’s South Shore Senior Center offers comprehensive primary and specialty care for adults age 65 and older. We are the only medical center on Chicago’s South Side focused exclusively on the health care needs of aging adults. This position is a 100% onsite opportunity. You must be based in the greater Chicagoland area.

A Medical Assistant is an employee who performs a wide variety of patient care services under the direct supervision of a registered nurse, advanced practice nurse (APN), or physician.   Such services can involve therapeutic and/or diagnostic procedures.

Essential Job Functions

• Knows and practices The University of Chicago Hospitals Pride Values and Patient-Centered Care Definition and Principles.
• Performs any or all duties involving direct patient care as assigned by the registered nurse or physician and within the scope of the Nursing Policies and procedures.
• Appropriately implements and documents patient and family education as delegated by the RN or physician.
• Obtains and records vital signs.
• Assists the care provider with patient examinations or diagnostic procedures.
• Performs tests, i.e., pregnancy tests, urinalysis, and hemocults etc, specific to the patient population.
• Documents all aspects of patient care according to hospital policies and procedures.
• Performs phlebotomy services.
• Assists with collection of specimens.  Performs labeling and logging of specimens in compliance with hospital standards.
• Assists patients with dressing and undressing when necessary.
• Administers medication as ordered by a physician or APN. 
• Appropriately discards expired medications/supplies monthly.
• Communicates all changes in the patient's biophysical and emotional status to the Registered Nurse or Physician.
• Promotes, has knowledge of, and utilizes appropriate patient care protocol relating to the physical, psychological, and developmental needs of adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients.
• Utilizes computers to obtain information and schedule appointments.
• Collects, washes, prepares, and monitors instruments and equipment in compliance with hospital standards.
• Transports, lifts, and assists patients in wheelchairs, stretchers, and examining tables.
• Leaves exam room clean and stocked.  Contact EVS as appropriate.  For minor physical plant problems, fill out work orders and obtain appropriate signature.  Empty needle boxes as needed.   
• Clean instruments and scopes.  Assure clean and sterile supplies are stocked separately.  Wipe out cabinets.  Ensure linen is covered.
• Check schedule regularly, monitor waiting room and exam rooms, carry out physician orders promptly, and assist patients as necessary to facilitate a positive visit.
• Ensure patient care areas are always in regulatory compliance with JCAHO and CLIA.
• Incorporates cost-effective measures into practice to ensure proper use of time, supplies, and personnel.
• Participates in staff meetings and departmental projects as required.
• Assists with the orientation of new employees.
• Assists with data collection for research studies as requested. Typing and chart/result filing as assigned.
• Performs other duties assigned.

Required Qualifications

• High School diploma and/or GED equivalent from an accredited school
• Basic Life Support (BLS) from the American Heart Association
• Phlebotomy training
• Graduate of a certified program for Medical Assistants
• Considerable skill in communicating verbally, in determining priorities, and in organizing work; ability to maintain an organized, alphabetized filing system
• Considerable skill in handling sensitive public contacts with discretion, tact, and courtesy when dealing with patients, coworkers, and physicians
• Physical ability to perform stocking, lifting, and transporting supplies and instruments
• General working knowledge of PC.  Excel, Microsoft Word for Windows, OASIS, and EPIC a plus
• Ability to handle stress in a fast-paced environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Computerized appointment scheduling experience

Position Details

• Job Type/FTE: Full-Time (1.0 FTE)
• Shift: Days
• Work Location: Onsite – South Shore Senior Center 
• Unit/Department: South Shore Senior Center
• CBA Code: Non-Union