Medical Assistant

Under the direct supervision of the Director of Nursing, Medical Director, and/or with the delegation of supervision to a Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant by the physician, within regulatory practice, the Medical Assistant (PACE) will assist in the provision of direct participant care by performing routine procedures, technical and clerical support services in a clinical setting. The incumbent may administer intramuscular, subcutaneous, or intra-dermal injections and may perform skin tests, administer oral medications, venipunctures, and skin punctures for blood specimens. Additionally, this position will/may be responsible for coordinating laboratory services.

Responsibilities

• Perform clinical activities that encompass all patient needs related to the safe and effective delivery of patient care.
• Receive patients by providing room in a timely manner and obtaining routine vital signs/screenings within the standard protocol for the reason the patient is being seen. Obtain needed information pertinent to the purpose of visit/patient condition and accurately communicate this information in the electronic health record.
• Assists with the care and handling of supplies, equipment, and instruments.
• Assists with the front office desk by answering phones, communicating with appropriate disciplines for participant issues or appointments and rooming for specialty appointments.
• Proactively assist the Physician/Nurse Practitioner/RN as requested and work within a team approach model that includes multiple departments and roles and includes effective contributions to the creation of a positive patient experience to support short- and long-term goals/priorities for the department.
• Performs and documents accurate preliminary data collection and collects data on each participant to be seen in the clinic, including but not limited to vital signs (temperature, blood pressure, pulse, weight, height, respirations), allergies, medications, pain scale, participant's complaints/symptoms, and immunologic status.
• Assists medical provider/primary care provider (PCP); carries out medical provider's orders by performing requested tests such as, but not limited to, glucometer test, urine dip test, administration of purified protein derivative and tuberculosis tests, audio testing, setup and assistance with minor procedures pelvic exam setup and assistance, phlebotomy draws, Electrocardiogram (EKGs), ear lavage and injections.
• Schedules routine/follow-up appointments, follows up on missed appointments and makes phone calls as directed.
• Maintains charting/records by documenting pertinent participant information, procedures, medications, and injections administered, as well as participant responses and report findings to the medical provider.
• Perform administrative duties which include greeting patients, maintaining paper and electronic health records, telephone duties including notifying patients of test results, coordination of care, completing forms, making appointments, handling correspondence, scheduling tests and laboratory services, and assisting with areas related to billing and compliance.
• Assists with maintaining logs for the clinic
• Records and signs, symptoms, reactions and progress of participants and reports findings to the medical provider.
• Maintain compliance with all state and federal laws and regulations, as they pertain to position including; HIPAA, Scope of Practice, accreditation standards, OSHA, and the agency's policies & procedures.
• Perform back-office procedures consistent with his/her scope of practice, training, and clinic policies, including routine and chronic care exams.
• Take direct responsibility for individual duties related to assigned team, including the tracking of referrals, the maintenance of clean and stocked assigned exam rooms, and assist with maintenance and inventory of medical equipment and supplies including medication and vaccine supply inventory.
• Maintain participant schedule for clinic visits, specialty visits, assessments, semiannual and annual assessments.
• Handle potentially infectious specimens with appropriate biohazard precautions, and practices universal precautions.
• Participate in continuing education classes and any required staff and training meetings.
• Responsible for maintaining professional affiliations and any required certifications.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of all participant information.
• Be open to home care visits.
• Completes other projects and duties as assigned.

Education & Training

• Medical Assistant certification from an accredited school required.
• 3 years of work experience with at least 1 year working with the frail or elderly population required.
• Graduate of an accredited Medical Assistant training program required.
• High School diploma or GED required.
• Certified Phlebotomy Technician I (CPT I), preferred.
• CPR certification required.
• Bilingual in English/Spanish a plus!

Skills & Abilities

• Skilled in communicating with participants, their families, and other staff members; ability to establish a helping, trusting relationship with participants.
• Ability to follow through with instructions and directions provided by supervisor, RN, QAPI coordinator, primary care physician, and/or medical director.
• Ability to utilize appropriate safety measures when providing care.
• Ability to work effectively and harmoniously as part of an interdisciplinary team, the elderly, providers of services, and peers.
• Must have experience with navigating on a computer.
• Well organized, dependable, flexible, and resourceful.
• Demonstrate effective communication skills and ability to work effectively with people in stressful situations. Communicate to supervisor of any problems that potentially affect efficiency/quality of care provided.

Working Conditions

The working conditions and physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Active valid driver’s license.
• Proof of active valid auto insurance.
• Assists/supports participants from a seated to standing position for up to 75 lb. & for ambulation for up to 100 feet at a time.
• Reaches toward &/or participants to assist them & moves &/or picks up items.
• Moves throughout the PACE Clinic & Center. 
• Positions self to draw blood, check on participant's skin integrity (head to toe) & tend to other participant care needs.
• Operates medical equipment to assist with nursing care & provides appropriate treatment to participants.
• The work setting is in an Adult Day Health Center and primary care clinic environment with moderate noise levels and controlled temperatures.
• Exposed to environmental conditions, blood-borne pathogens, respiratory hazards and other potentially hazardous airborne and/or contagious diseases. Low risk for contamination when adhering to universal precautions.