Certified MA-Clinical Assistant (Rock Cave)

Job Objective:

The Medical Assistant is responsible to the Director of Nursing for rendering nursing care in assigned areas in terms of individualized patient needs, utilizing nursing techniques, procedures, and established standards based on their education and training. Perform routine administrative and clinical tasks. Provide quality care to patients by supporting CCWV quality initiatives. Assist the patient in navigating the health care system.

Responsibilities and Essential Duties:

• Escort patients to the exam room and initiate sensitive conversations. This includes but is not limited to verifying demographic information, emergency contacts, next of kin, preferred pharmacy, HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices, family size and income level, social security number, medical release forms, etc. and documenting in the correct fields within the patient's electronic health record. Make sure that Primary Department and Usual Provider-Primary Care Provider matches.
• Ensure that registration paperwork is completed annually. Assist patients with electronic check-in when necessary.
• Obtains patient medical history and records vital signs (height, pulse, temperature, visual acuity, weight, and measures blood pressure, head circumference where indicated for patients). The MA will ask and document responses to patient health, social history questions, and appropriate screenings during the intake process.
• Register the patient for the patient portal, if applicable. Provide education as to the use of the system, highlight what communication can be made via the portal and the access the patient will have to their health information. Provide the patient with instructions on how to utilize the system and generate passcode that allows for initial access. Troubleshoot problems the patient may be experiencing.
• During the intake process, evaluate the responses to the social determinants of health (SDOH) questions. When responses indicate difficulty in access, conditions, and availability to physical or social needs, provide the community resources packet to the patient. Report responses associated with "high risk" to all care team members.
• Pre-Visit Planning: Call patients before their appointment to ask questions about what has happened since their last visit. Request consultation notes from specialists seen, ER records, remind about outstanding orders, and co-pay that will be due at check-in. Remind them to bring in their driver's license and current insurance card. Confirm insurance eligibility. Ensure appointment type is correct and change if needed.
• Schedule for next visit prior to patient leaving office. Select the appropriate visit type if the next appointment should be a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit or Well child.
• Buckets: Folow up on patient reminders. Outstanding lab and imaging orders-check chart to see if completed and not tied to orders, call patient to remind to complete. Specialist referrals-call facility to see if completed, request consult note. If not, call patients to remind them to reschedule. Label incoming results and consult notes correctly to ensure they tie to quality measures and outstanding orders.
• Annotates patient charts with exam and treatment results. Contacts patients with laboratory and specialists' findings and other various tests. Performs accurate and thorough documentation in the patient chart of results and patient outreach.
• Daily equipment checks and sanitary duties for equipment.
• Clean and sterilize instruments daily and/or after immediate use using the Autoclave system. Performs quality checks on the Autoclave to ensure proper working condition and documents findings of regular performance checks.
• Clean exam rooms after each patient. Keep the exam room neat and orderly and restock the examination rooms with a standard list of supplies.
• Utilize the knowledge and skills learned in your basic MA program to safely implement primary preventative and therapeutic care of assigned patients/families as evidenced by documentation and observation of positive patient care outcomes.
• Perform delegated independent established CCWV procedures, policies, guidelines, and standards.
• Contribute to the development of the patient/caregiver plan of care based on the identified patient problems/needs.
• Carry out physician/mid-level provider orders accurately, directly, and indirectly.
• Document pertinent observation and intervention on appropriate record.
• Perform selected tasks related to patient care and the patient's environment in a safe manner.
• Administer medication accurately. (Right patient, right medication, right dose, right route, right time and right documentation) Observe patient response, as evidenced by documentation in the medical record and lack of adverse outcomes.
• Perform venous blood draws.
• Maintain and coordinate communication among patient/caregiver, staff, and provider, as evidenced in the medical record, client, and health care team feedback.
• Assist in assuring that effective communication exists with patient/caregiver as reflected in the plan of care.
• Effectively communicate patients changing needs and plan of care among staff members.
• Report patient needs/problems and observations regarding patient's condition to the physician/mid-level provider.
• Work collaboratively with other health care team members in coordination of the patient's care as evidenced by other department feedback.
• Provide patient/caregiver health teaching as delegated by the Director of Nursing or Provider.
• Use available written materials specific to patient condition or disease.
• Utilize appropriate teaching methods such as one-on-one and group instruction, demonstration, or discussion
• Document health teaching, including patient/caregiver response to and their understanding of health teaching.
• Attend and participate in staff development programs and staff meetings.
• Attend CQM, Nursing, All Staff Meetings, and any required training and is responsible for information discussed.
• Monitor medication/vaccination inventory and notify Purchasing Department when supplies run low.
• Counsels patients in the office and on the phone concerning medication refills, medication questions, and refill requests. Answers patient clinical calls and questions and directs them to appropriate individuals if unable to answer inquiries.
• Perform federal urine drug screenings after appropriate training.
• May be required to serve as medical receptionist depending upon need.
• Other duties as assigned.

Patient Satisfaction:

• Assist patients, family members, or other clients with concern and empathy; respect their confidentiality and privacy; and communicate with them in a courteous and respectful manner.
• Answer and refer telephone calls or other inquires to ensure accurate and timely communications are facilitated.
• Identify yourself in a pleasant and positive manner.
• Take responsibility for helping the caller.

Teamwork:

• Assist in the orientation/training of new Team Members.
• Consistently work in a positive and cooperative manner with fellow Team Members.
• Assist other Team Members in the performance of their assignments.
• Seek out opportunities to help rather than waiting to be asked.
• Consider the impact of your actions on staff members throughout Community Care of West Virginia, Inc. (CCWV)
• Recognize the need for variations in staffing and volunteer to fill open shifts when possible.
• Take direction and initiate actions (cross/additional training) that will allow the assumption of cross-functional duties to ensure seamless patient care.
• Demonstrate flexibility to perform duties at different sites depending on the staffing needs.

Problem Solving:

• Demonstrate sound judgment by taking appropriate actions regarding abnormal findings or patient concerns.
• Investigate and follow through on unusual orders or requests for service or information.
• Follow proper reporting procedures for actual or potential accidents and/or incidents so follow-up and/or prevention can occur.
• Record/report the need for service maintenance or repair of equipment and remove any faulty equipment from service.
• Consistently evaluate work and determine if further steps are needed to meet patient expectations.
• Take the initiative to do or redo inadequate or incomplete work, even if it is not yours.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory standards.

Productivity/ Efficiency:

• Consistently demonstrate the ability to respond to changing situations in a flexible manner in order to meet current needs, such as prioritizing work as necessary.
• Minimize non-productive time and fill slow periods with activities that will enable you to prepare to meet the System's future needs (education, organizing, housekeeping, assisting others).
• Organize job functions and work areas to be able to complete varied assignments within established time frames effectively.
• Consistently demonstrate the ability to take the initiative to make decisions/choices without direct supervision.

Adherence to Departmental Policies:

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of all policies and procedures and the ability to reference them from appropriate books and manuals.
• Comply with CCWV's infection control policies and procedures, including Body Substance Isolation (BSI) and the Exposure Control Plan, which reflects OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard to ensure a safe working environment for self and others.

Great Benefits

• Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Paid Holidays

• Extended Sick Pay (ESP)

• Medical Health Insurance and Prescription Coverage

• Basic Life Insurance for Employee and Family

• Short-Term Disability

• Long-Term Disability

• 401(k) Voluntary Contribution Plan

• Health Reimbursement Account

• Employee Elected Voluntary Coverage for Employee and Family

• Life Insurance, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending Account, Dependent Spending Account

• Discounted undergraduate & graduate rates at West Virginia Wesleyan College for employee and family

Physical Demands/Working Environment:

• Employee will be required to stand for extended periods of time; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel and crouch. The Employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required for this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision and depth perception. In addition, must have the ability to see information in print and/or electronically. The position requires standing, walking, hearing, reaching and talking.
• Employee will be exposed to viruses, disease and infection from patients and specimens in working environment.
• Employee will be required to work at any facility and be responsible for own transportation.
• Employee will be scheduled based on operational need.
• Employee may experience traumatic situations including psychiatric, dismembered and deceased patients

Qualifications/Requirements/Skills:

• National Certification for Medical Assistants.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

Education/Training/Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Completion of Medical Assistant program with Diploma.
• Training in diagnostic and treatment procedures is recommended.