Medical Assistant (Credentialed/Certified)

Position Summary Under the supervision of the Director of Administrative Operations of the MERIT program, is responsible for providing medical assistant services to children who may have been abused or neglect and their families.

Duties & Responsibilities

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• Provide case coordination between MERIT, patient, patient's family/caregivers, and collateral contacts to identify and modify the social issue of child abuse and neglect by serving as advocate for patient and appropriate family members in cases of abuse or neglect, monitoring the follow-up on assigned cases through documentation of contacts and through the computer tracking database systems and assisting MERIT medical social worker on tracking grant information and assessments.
• Works independently, maintaining and overseeing all aspects of MERIT patient scheduling tasks and assess for opportunities to increase efficiency. Registers and enters patient information into the electronic medical record and other patient-tracking systems. Assembles new patient files. Performs filing for patient files of MERIT.
• Provides information to parents, DCFS, law enforcement, state's attorney offices and other medical providers. Independently and correctly routes phone calls to correct staff members. Prepare the child or adolescent patient for the medical examination by explaining procedures and providing support through the diagnostic process. Prepare the patient's caretaker for the medical examination and provide supportive crisis counseling throughout the intake, evaluation, and follow-up phase of the case. Arrange additional evaluations and coordinate referrals to appropriate community agencies and programs.
• Greets patients upon arrival, checks appointment information, makes sure patient records are available to the providers. Takes and records patent vital signs in appropriate EMR. Makes sure all paperwork needed for visit has been given to patient/parent and completed. Obtains records from other providers or hospitals related to patient care, as needed for visit.
• Assist medical provider with diagnostic and therapeutic procedures (i.e. drapes patient for exams and treatments, sets up treatment tray to be used in an examination). Assist in collecting specimens, confirming with patient name/DOB then labeling with patient label and initialing label by staff, orders are placed in the EMR by providers, prior to sending any specimens to the lab for analysis; also performs follow up work such as checking on x-rays, blood exams, and urinalysis. Collects and bags soiled linen in the examining room. Cleans and sterilizes equipment and supplies. Stock rooms with necessary supplies and forms.
• Conduct preliminary intake information and completion of intake information. Collect and organize all relevant information and documentation from referral sources such as parents, caretakers, physicians, DCFS, law enforcement, State's Attorney Office, and other agencies to determine eligibility for MERIT services. Evaluate status of screening complaint and schedule patient to be seen by appropriate medical provider, if eligible. Work as assigned on reports, i.e. chart preparation, audits, labs, referrals, etc. Notify patients/parents of appointments, missed appointments with notification to MDT members
• Keeps accurate case records according to best practices with exceptional attention to detail. Assist supervisor in data collection to complete monthly program reports on sponsored projects. Develop and maintain evidence-informed understanding of medical assessment and social services to abused and neglected children through review of journal articles and other scholarly information sources.
• Attend regional and national conferences in order to expand understanding of child maltreatment. Attend and contribute to staff meetings. Participate in department meetings, program meetings, and interagency meetings as requested by the Medical