Medical Assistant

DUTIES:

Provides public health services and information in and outside of a traditional office/clinic setting.

Participates in daily duties and departmental special-purpose clinics, programs, and projects such as health screenings and fairs, immunization clinics, outreaches, and other such programs, providing education, assessing clients public health needs, providing screenings, treatment, and/or administering immunizations and medications.

Assists in developing new methods of presenting and interpreting health-related information to the community.

Administers and interprets screening tests and obtains necessary specimens for laboratory analysis.

Explains test results, educates clients regarding the nature of certain diseases and treatment; dispenses medications as directed by attending physician/nurse practitioner and/or health officer.

Maintains client records, charts, and statistics, preparing and submitting reports to appropriate agencies, as required.

Conducts case finding and contact field interviews, as needed

Reviews and monitors patients' health records and consults with area health professionals and agencies regarding proper treatments.

Assists the department in conducting community health surveys and epidemiological studies and investigations and participates in departmental public information and health promotion activities.

Conducts initial and follow-up home visits to investigate complaints, educate, make assessments, provide professional services, and make appropriate referrals.

Assists in the delivery of school health services, as indicated.

Maintains inventory of supplies, equipment, and pharmaceuticals, and orders needed materials.

Participates in offering educational experiences for area students.

Assists other divisions and employees of the health department and provides services and performs tasks as indicated.

Understands and works within applicable scope-of-practice requirements and serves as a resource to staff regarding assigned programs, procedures, and services.

All other duties as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Thorough knowledge of and ability to employ the full range of accepted practices and principles of a public health medical professional.

Working knowledge of public health laws and regulations, and specific understanding of the Health Department policies.

Ability to effectively communicate.

Ability to effectively educate both professional and nonprofessional individuals in public health practices and department programs.

Ability to provide services to individuals from various backgrounds in a wide variety of situations.

Ability to interpret and follow general instructions and perform effectively with minimal supervision.

License to practice nursing or certified medical assistant in the State of Indiana.

Certification and /or special training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation or the ability to receive training and become certified.

Current certificate of medical assistant

DIFFICULTY OF WORK:

Individuals perform a full range of duties aimed at the education, care, and promotion of health in individuals of all ages, education levels, and backgrounds, following generally accepted protocols and guidelines. Independent judgment is exercised in determining the protocol and/or guideline most applicable to individuals and situations.

RESPONSIBILITY:

Individuals apply the accepted principles and practices of a licensed nurse, certified medical assistant, or public health provider, following standard physicians' orders and departmental policies, to individual situations and cases. Direct supervision is minimal, with work periodically reviewed for soundness of judgment and adherence to general policy.

PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS:

Individuals maintain contact with department staff, clients and families, special interest groups, community members, and professional peers and students for the purpose of rendering health-related services and promotion and explanation of department programs.

PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Incumbent performs duties in a variety of settings, occasionally in a standard office environment, but mostly outdoors and in a vehicle. During site inspections, duties may involve standing/walking for long periods, walking on uneven terrain, pushing/pulling/lifting/carrying objects weighing under 25 pounds, crouching/kneeling, bending, reaching, color perception, hearing communication, handling/grasping/fingering objects, and exposure to inclement weather, dust, dirt, and heavy machinery. Safety precautions must always be followed to avoid injury to self and others.

This Rural Health Transformation Program is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $206,927,896.80, with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, CMS/HHS or the U.S. Government."