Job Summary
The Certified Medical Assistant works under the direct supervision of the physician, mid-level licensed provider, and Clinics Manager, and in cooperation with other office staff in assisting with safe and effective patient care in compliance with established standards and protocols of BeverlyCare’s goals and objectives. This position may be involved in both the clinical and administrative areas including assisting providers with patient care and handling clerical, environmental, and organization tasks.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Registers patients by running insurance verification, entering patient demographics, collecting copayments, obtaining consents, providing patient with appointments and information pertinent to the visit.
- Prepares patient appointments by reviewing and updating patient records prior to appointment. This includes checking for updates of insurance, recent test results, lab results and correspondence. Also reviews patient record (EHR) to determine needed services and whether referrals are in process or have been completed since last visit.
- Obtains vital signs, establishes reason for visit and documents chief complaint, per patient description in the patient’s electronic medical record.
- Performs EHR intake entry by going over basic medical history, medication lists, allergies, and other pertinent information required by the provider. Utilizes Medication Reconciliation tools within EMR.
- Performs phlebotomy and laboratory tests as required by the physicians or physician assistants and in accordance to state and federal regulations, including CLIA.
- Screens telephone calls for the providers. Takes accurate clinical messages within the limits of her knowledge and practice policy. May answer routine patient inquiries with respect to medical questions within the limits of knowledge, as directed by Physician/Provider, and clinic policy.
- Ensures that reports from diagnostic tests ordered have been received and have been entered into the patient’s chart directly through electronic transfer or scanned to the EMR system. Prepares all diagnostic reports for availability to physicians in a timely manner.
- Performs monthly check and inventory of crash cart supplies and properly logs information into file. Disposes of and replaces any expired crash cart medication.
- Prepares and administers medication/immunizations injections as directed by provider. This includes adhering to all regulations and guidelines for appropriate storage, mixing, disposal (expired medication), inventory, and labeling of medications; single and multidose vials per practice compliance guidelines.
- Obtains insurance referrals authorizations as determined by insurance for medications, office procedures, diagnostic procedures, surgical procedures, specialty referrals and/or as required.
- Takes medication and prescription questions and refill calls from patients and pharmacists under the provider’s supervision. Calls in prescriptions and prescription refills accurately to pharmacy as directed by the provider and documents accurately in the medical record.
- Maintains exam rooms according to protocols: cleans rooms between patient exams to ensure patients’ comfort and compliance with infection control standards; ensures all necessary supplies are stocked. Promptly reports when supplies are low and works with nursing staff to ensure timely reordering is completed.
- Appropriately prepares patient for visit and alerts physician when patient is ready to be seen. When physician is unavailable, the MA keeps the patient updated on the status of their JD Medical Assistant-REVJAN2019- 6 appointment and when necessary assists the patient in re-scheduling or scheduling follow-up. Instructs patient as to general clinic policies, patients’ rights and responsibilities as needed.
- Assists physician or nurse upon request during examination of patient and according to generally accepted medical standards.
- Practices universal precautions with respect to established safety protocols.
- Facilitates communication between the provider(s) and patient as needed, including translation as appropriate.
- Performs general clerical duties in support of patient services according to the needs of the clinic and as directed by providers or supervisor. These include but are not limited to answering phones, following up with calls, photocopies, faxing, typing, completing forms, etc.
- Accepts floating assignments to other clinical areas (e.g. Family Practice, Peds, Obstetrics) as needed and assigned.
- Maintains nurses’ station, according to protocols. Performs routine quality checks of point of care testing and equipment and promptly reports damaged or missing equipment from patient rooms.
- Work collaboratively with the physician for the coordination of quality health care toward the clinic’s patients.
- Performs EKGs and other procedures/tests within scope of work and under the supervision of the provider.
- Attends staff and medical meetings, as required.
- Complies with infection control requirements as stated in the policies and procedures.
- Maintain all logs and required checks (i.e. refrigerator temperatures, emergency medications, expired medications, oxygen, cold sterilization fluid change, etc.)
- Collect clinic encounter forms at the end of each session and to enter charges in the system and responds promptly to billing rejections for incomplete documentation.
- Provide back-up for co-workers, when needed.
- Performs additional duties, as assigned by providers, supervisor or administration in support of quality assurance and improvement.
Skills and Knowledge Requirements
- Knowledge of injection levels and procedures, for both children and adults.
- Knowledge of universal precautions and blood-borne pathogens.
- Ability to document clearly, patient vital signs and chief complaint, as well as pay close attention to charting detail.
- Knowledge of EMR
- Ability to relate well to people from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
- Ability to have empathy for patients and to treat them with dignity and respect, in a professional and courteous manner.
- Ability to manage patient flow in a fast paced clinic environment.
- Willingness to work flexible hours in order to meet patient care needs/demands
- Exceptional customer service, communication and interpersonal skills
- Performs the job in alignment with the mission and vision of the organization.
- Demonstrates behaviors based on the eight values of the organization: Caring, Accountability, Patient-Centered, Positive Attitude, Open Communication, Teamwork, Quality Improvement and Innovation.
Training, Education, and Licensure
- Completion of High School
- Completion of accredited Medical Assistant Training Program
- State Phlebotomy certification (CPT1)
- Current BLS certification