Medical Office Assistant

Job Summary:

Medical Office Assistants, under direct supervision, perform routine patient care, technical and supportive functions in a medical office or clinical setting. The MOA supports the philosophy and complies with the protocols, policies and procedures of the Organization and the assigned Medical Office Department.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Upholds Kaiser Permanentes Policies and Procedures, Principles of Responsibilities and applicable state, federal and local laws.
• Representative Tasks: Perform routine patient care functions as prescribed by licensed health care providers following established clinical protocols, policies and procedures within their scope of education, training and responsibilities (see Addendum #1).
• Facilitate and organize the practice of their assigned physician(s) and/or other health care professional(s).
• Perform routine clerical functions as assigned (making appointments, chart management, telephone calls, etc.).
• Prepare and administer medications as directed by physician order in accordance with Kaiser Permanente guidelines.
• Assist medical personnel with procedures and/or diagnostic exams.
• Apply principles of aseptic technique and infection control as directed by the infection Control Manual.
• Establish and maintain system for patient test results and follow-up.
• Provide basic information and assistance to patients under the direction of the licensed personnel.
• Document pertinent patient information, nursing procedures and patient responses, following established guidelines and maintaining patient confidentiality.
• Perform other duties as directed.
• Patient/Care Procedures:
• Explain purpose and process of examinations, tests and medical procedures to patients, following established guidelines.
• Provide information to patients on general health and basic self care procedures.
• Instruct patients in use of home equipment, following established guidelines.
• Provide patient first aid as ordered by physician.
• Apply and remove dressings, as ordered by physician.
• Follow standard infection control procedures.
• Initiate emergency procedures (including basic CPR) and assists in emergency patient treatments.
• Lift patients.
• Observe patient vital signs; observe patients for bleeding.
• Perform inhalation therapy as ordered by physician; perform surgical preps.
• Prepare and position patients for procedures.
• Prepare patients for physical examinations.
• Rinse and clean instruments and equipment.
• Sterilize instruments and equipments.
• Identify equipment in need of repair.
• Maintain clean work area.
• Complete laboratory, radiology requisitions and specialized test forms.
• Notify appropriate personnel of abnormal lab test results.
• Answer member inquires.
• Observe patient condition for reactions during and after procedures.
• Remove sutures following established protocols.
• Respond to Code Blues.
• Take and record patient vital signs, height, weight, etc.
• Obtain specimens from patients (urine, stool, etc.)
• Perform finger sticks to obtain blood samples.
• Prepare specimens and specimens for lab analysis.
• Perform urine tests (tablet or dipstick.)
• Perform vision screening using Snellen chart.
• Perform routine diagnostic tests, following established protocols.
• Perform skin tests.
• Assist as member of surgical team.
• Assists physician in obtaining tissue specimens and biopsies.
• Assist with proctological procedures (i.e. sigmoidoscopies.)
• Restrain or support patients during procedures.
• Perform EKGs (electrocardiograms.)
• Assist patients with ambulation and exercises, following established protocols.
• Administer topical or aerosol medication as ordered.
• Administer medications as ordered.
• Transportation:
• Transport patients to/from designated areas.
• Route specimens to laboratory.
• Transport laboratory specimens, medical records, laboratory supplies and materials.
• Transport office supplies and materials, patient related supplies and materials.
• Transport equipment, and procedures trays.
• Administrative/Clerical/Record Keeping:
• Request charts/medical records.
• Collect data, patient surveys and questionnaires.
• Maintain inventory of patient education materials.
• Schedule, cancel and reschedule patient appointments.
• Initiate follow up appointments with patients.
• Check in patients/members.
• Prepare outgoing mail.
• Locate personnel by paging system or beeper.
• Provide patient information to family members, following patient confidentiality guidelines.
• Record and send Faxs.
• Screen patient calls and take messages for providers.
• Maintain department logs.
• Maintain and update user manuals.
• Monitor and maintain protocol manuals.
• Respond to requests for information.
• Order medical supplies and equipment.
• Receive, store and distribute materials and supplies.
• Replenish linen.
• Serve as resource to coworkers by answering procedure questions and assisting in problem solving.
• Participate in special projects and studies.
• Demonstrate safety procedures.
• Coordinate and monitor activities within the module.
• Participate in department meetings.
• Train and orient new staff to equipment, general duties and procedures, following established protocols.
• Maintain proficiency in clinical skills.
• Answer call lights.
• Answer telephones and take messages.
• Call in telephone prescriptions, following established protocols.
• Assume other activities and responsibilities from time to time as directed.