Medical Assistant (MA) I

Job Title: Medical Assistant I

Reports To: Supervisor, Medical Support Staff

Job Summary: Under the direction of the Medical Support Staff Supervisor (MSSS) or designee, this position provides direct patient care and customer service.

Qualifications and Requirements:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Job duties may be modified at any time based on business needs.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assists Provider in the Administration of Patient Care:
• Identifies patient health care service requirements and gaps while being aware of age specific needs and protocols.
• Prepares for the patient appointment by reviewing and updating patient records prior to patient arrival.
• Correctly enters any standing orders the patients may be due for based on diagnosis history, presenting symptoms, or age requirements.
• Interviews patient to obtain reason for visit: chief complaint, and document in electronic health record following MA workflow protocols for intake of patient.
• Obtain and record patients' vital signs according to protocol for patient's age.
• Prepares exam room and patient for examination/procedure being performed.
• Assists providers in performing procedures.
• Administers injections and other treatments as ordered by the provider.
• Reviews patient plan and educates patients on discharge instructions. Educates patients as directed by provider.
• Fills out appropriate necessary paperwork for recording purposes.
• Answer phone calls and take messages. Returns patient calls as directed by provider.
• Cleans and prepares rooms between patients and stocks exam rooms.
• Processes referrals, medication refill requests, and coordinates appointments for specific care and diagnostic procedures.
• Acts as a liaison between providers and other care givers.
• Receives reports on patients and delivers them to the appropriate provider.
• Performs sterilization of instruments and surgical packs in a timely manner.
• Documents and maintains records of verbal and written procedures, medication, delivery of care, and pertinent information regarding patient care services.
• Complies with infection control policies and protocols; follows medication administration, storage procedures and controlled substance regulations.
• Ensures operation of medical equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements, following manufacturer's instructions, reporting malfunctions, requesting repairs, maintaining equipment inventory, and evaluating new equipment and techniques.
• When needed, performs lab drawings, and maintains laboratory documents.
• Maintains patient confidentiality following HIPAA policies and procedures.
• Communicates in a professional and timely manner with patients and other members of the care team at all times.
• Knows and follows procedure for immunization storage, handling, and administration.
• Follows all medication policies and procedures for labeling, storing and use.
• Proficient in laboratory point of care testing.
• Travels to any location as needed.
• Working assigned weekends is required.
• If Assigned to Mobile Medical Operations:
• Works closely with Mobile Medical Leadership Team to resolve patient flow issues.
• Collaborates with Immunizations Coordinator to perform necessary VFC and Vaccine program quality management tasks such as logging medication, performing temperature checks, monthly ordering and participating in VFC audits.
• Maintains medical supplies inventory on mobile medical unit by anticipating and ordering needed supplies.

Minimum Qualifications - Education, Experience, Certificates & Licenses:

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Graduated from an accredit Medical Assistant program, completed a United States Armed Forces medical services training program, or completed a non-accredited Medical Assistant program and passed the Certified Medical Assistant exam required.
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification required.
• Certified Medical Assistant certification required within 6 months of hire.
• Valid Fingerprint clearance card required.
• Must have reliable transportation that can meet any operational reassignments of the organization during the workday.
• Valid driver's license and proof of insurance may be required if driving during work hours and/or if requesting mileage reimbursement.

Required Language Skills:

• Ability to comprehend and compose instructions, correspondence, and communications in English in both oral and written format.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish may be preferred based on current staffing patterns, patient population, and/or duty assignment.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to frequently exert enough force to move objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to continuously remain in a stationary position.
• Ability to constantly move about inside the workplace to assist patients, operate office or medical equipment, etc.
• Possesses hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to constantly operate computers, telephone, other office machinery, and medical equipment.
• Possesses close visual acuity necessary to accurately record and view information on a computer monitor, handwritten and typed documents.
• Ability to discern the nature of sounds at a normal spoken volume.
• Possesses a range of body motion and ability to exert enough force to lift and move adult and pediatric patients.

Other Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to perform basic medical math that may include the use of ratio/proportion, dosage calculation, metric and household equivalents, roman numerals, abbreviations, and general math including percentages, etc.
• Ability to gather data in an organized fashion from varied sources.
• Ability to perform a variety of assignments requiring independent judgment.
• Ability to resolve challenges and work under pressure.
• Knowledge of health plans and community health centers preferred.
• Knowledge of HIPAA rules and regulations.
• Computer literacy required.

Work Environment & Conditions:

• Work environment is typical of a health clinic setting with occasional exposure to communicable diseases, bodily fluids, and hazardous chemicals.
• Work frequently involves use of needles and other medical equipment with proximity to electrical current, and exposure to moving mechanical parts and some hazardous chemicals.
• Work requires reliable transportation as position requires occasional travel and extended hours to include early mornings, evenings, holidays, and weekends.
• If hired for a float position, the position requires frequent travel to any health center as needed.