Medical Assistant - MA - Per Diem

Northern Light Mercy Hospital

Department: Cardiology Clinic

Position is located: Mercy Medical Office Building

Work Type: PRN

FTE: Variable

Work Schedule: Variable

Summary:

The Medical Assistant works in collaboration with all members of the care team providing high quality compassionate care consistent with the Mission and Values of Northern Light Health. This is accomplished by being primarily responsible for ensuring efficient patient flow, working to actively enhance patient relationships and loyalty, pre-planning for patient visits, managing visit cycle time, office workflows, and patient access (phone, scheduling), assisting assigned provider and care team with rooming and patient care procedures, including electronic and written documentation, and coordinating patient activities that support managing the targeted population's health. The incumbent performs duties and tasks in accordance with standards established for the job. The incumbent may have access to highly confidential patient, employee and/or hospital proprietary information, and must handle and protect the information in accordance with hospital and system policies, HIPAA requirements and the highest level of ethical standards. The incumbent is responsible for reporting all security events, potential events, or other security risks to the organization. The incumbent is responsible for participation in and completion of all patient safety initiatives appropriate to the position, and conducts all job responsibilities according to the Mission and Values of Hospital.

Responsibilities:

• Identify necessary equipment and materials for patient visits
• Room patients in accordance with established guidelines and visit purpose/types (including but not limited to: Document chief complaint; Document accurate vital signs; Confirm med list with patient; Confirm pharmacy; Document smoking status; Document depression screening; Document fall risk; Assess and administer appropriate immunizations.
• Communicates pertinent patient medical information and findings in a timely manner to the patient and/or appropriate staff person in a respectful clear, concise manner
• Accurately performs office procedures
• Schedule patient appointments
• Proper preparation of lab specimens
• Set up prescription refill per guidelines
• Report lab and diagnostic results per guidelines
• Documentation of patient encounters (including face to face, phone and patient portal) into multiple systems, including EMR, to comply with organizational initiatives including: PCMH, Meaningful Use, and the Beacon ACO measures.
• Assist and/or chaperone patient procedures
• Manage provider paper documents as applicable
• Respond to patient phone calls in a timely manner
• Prepare and conduct EKGs, eye and auditory screening, phlebotomy and ear lavage
• Assist with casting and splinting
• Prepare patient health information via electronic records (pre-visit prep) for all scheduled appointments
• Perform and document immunizations (including IMMPACT as applicable) and injections
• Facilitates patient-centered visit by ensuring proper screening, documentation, and/or testing has been completed
• Ensures all consults and charts are prepared or scanned, downloaded and communicated in preparation for patient contact
• With provider supervision, work in provider tasks, review and assist in other population health management functions
• Coordinates and manages provider's tasks activity (i.e., lab result reporting, phone calls, order entry, Rx processing, and outreach efforts) following standard processes and guidelines in oversight of meeting provider and patient needs
• Collect clinical information and communicates to provider
• Performs direct patient care services in accordance with clinical guidelines in a patient-centered manner.
• Ensure provider schedule meets the needs of patients (visit and non-visit)
• Ensures patients are roomed and ready for provider within 7 minutes of appointment time
• Participates in daily huddles and weekly team meetings to improve workflows and contribute to improving patient population outcomes.
• Performs and documents necessary ancillary tests such as EKGs, PFTs, Peak Flow Rates, Rapid Strep, HCG's, Glucose Checks, and FOBT's. May perform various CLIA waived lab tests as ordered by provider. Competent in following process of recording waived testing quality requirements. Performs and documents lab specimen collection/processing, eye screening and audiology screening in accordance with current guidelines and policies. (If applicable)
• Administer immunizations and medications in accordance with current guidelines ensuring level and scope of practice standards. (If applicable)
• Ensure exam rooms are prepared for patient visits, including equipment operability, supply inventory, and utilizing standard infection control guides and stocking procedures
• Ensure patient care equipment operates in accordance with quality standards
• Provides patient education in support of patient visit and ongoing care as directed by provider.
• Assist with orientation and training of new staff members
• Maintain clinical/technical skills and knowledge through ongoing development and continuing education.
• Demonstrates age-specific competencies: communicate with each patient in a way that is appropriate to his or her particular age, capabilities or disabilities, temporary impairments, emotions, stresses, culture, and individual station
• Set up follow up letters and reminders for service
• All other duties as assigned

Other Information:

• BLS for Healthcare professional certification is required at time of hire

Competencies and Skills

• Behaves with Integrity and Builds Trust: Acts consistently in line with the core values, commitments and rules of conduct. Leads by example and tells the truth. Does what they say they will, when and how they say they will, or communicates an alternate plan.
• Cultivates Respect: Treats others fairly, embraces and values differences, and contributes to a culture of diversity, inclusion, empowerment and cooperation.
• Fosters Accountability: Creates and participates in a work environment where people hold themselves and others accountable for processes, results and behaviors. Takes appropriate ownership not only of successes but also mistakes and works to correct them in a timely manner. Demonstrates understanding that we all work as a team and the quality and timeliness of work impacts everyone involved.
• Practices Compassion: Exhibits genuine care for people and is available and ready to help; displays a deep awareness of and strong willingness to relieve the suffering of others.

Education

• Required High School Diploma/General Educational Development (GED)
• Associates Degree strongly preferred
• Completion of medical assistant program enabling incumbent the ability to sit for Medical Assistant certification exam within 6 months of hire, or minimum of four years of relevant work experience and certification as a medical assistant

Working Conditions

• Work with computers, typing, reading or writing.
• Prolonged periods of sitting.
• Prolonged periods of standing.
• Prolonged periods of walking.
• Potential exposure to abusive and/or aggressive people.
• Potential exposure to diseases or infections.
• Need to drive to perform responsible duties.
• Potential exposure to noise levels being uncomfortable.
• Potential exposure to noxious odors.
• Lifting, moving and loading 30 to 50 pounds.
• Lifting, moving and loading less than 20 pounds.
• Potential exposure to very hot or cold temperatures.

MA