SUMMARY:

Under the direction of a Registered or Licensed Practical Nurse, the medical assistant provides direct patient care and assists other healthcare professionals in examining and treating patients. The medical assistant is clinically knowledgeable about practices, protocols, and procedures, and paper flow. The medical assistant works collaboratively with other disciplines to ensure an integrated approach to patient care and maintains constant communication among the members of the health care team.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Other duties may be assigned.

Provides direct and non-direct patient care based on practical and on-the-job training. Greets and escorts patients to assigned room or area. Measures vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, oxygen saturation, height and weight and records information on patient chart. Prepares the patient for exam. Communicates with patients, visitors, and co-workers in a professional and courteous manner. Communicates to nursing staff when unable to complete requested task or procedure;

Assists with selected procedures, such as pap smears, ear irrigation, vision/hearing tests, simple dressing change, 12-lead EKG; specimen collection, including simple wave testing; and CPR. Helps patients resolve simple issues if necessary, and other duties as assigned.

 Performs non-direct patient care activities such as performing supply inventory and stocks medical supplies in exam rooms. Performs inventory of paper supplies and patient forms. Takes accurate and complete telephone messages for providers and answers calls according to telephone protocols. Translates for providers according to translator standards. Performs refrigerator temperature with daily checklist. Cleans toys with soap and water on a weekly basis; inputs immunization date into the DPH computer daily, as assigned. Assists in retrieving medical records if needed. Assists in keeping nursing station and clinic neat and clean, and other duties as assigned.

Maintains infection control practice at all times, especially with patients requiring isolation/reverse precautions. Maintains universal precautions in handling blood/body fluids. Maintains TB precautions according to clinic policy.

 At least one year in an ambulatory or outpatient setting is desirable or a graduate of an approved medical assisting program.

CERTIFICATES

Medical Assisting Certificate

Current BLS/CPR Certificate

Judgement:

Uses judgement and common sense to the extent of his/her generic and continuing education experience. Prioritizes tasks according to patient and clinic immediate needs; Communicates any observed changes in patient’s condition or any abnormal vital signs or appearance or history to the appropriate nurse or provider. Identifies any potential risks to patients or visitor or staff. Maintains patient and family dignity and confidentiality at all times.

Independent Action and Accountability:

Works under the direction and supervision of the medical provider, registered or licensed nurse. Understands the concept and practice of delegation. Remains responsible for the performance of the assigned or delegated activity; carries out those actions or duties which do not require nursing assessment, interpretation, major decision-making and/or judgement during implementation. Communicates to the nurse or medical provider if that assigned activity cannot be carried out or accomplished or is beyond the realm of the medical assistant’s knowledge base or experience.

Interrelationships:

Serves as an active participant with other members of the health care team. Effectively and openly communicates with the multi-disciplinary team, other health care professionals and agencies. Participates in open communication with the nurse manager. Maintains a collaborative work relationship with peers. Resolves conflicts between oneself and co-workers. Gives and receives feedback.

Professional Behavior and Development:

Attends and actively participates in staff meetings. Reads staff meeting minutes. Assists in orienting new staff members and teaching medical assistant students. Remains flexible in meeting the changing needs of the department or clinic. Recognizes own stresses, which effect behavior and assumes responsibility to modify or eliminate them. Assumes responsibility for continuing education and advanced schooling.

Manual and Visual Skills:

Accurately performs the various psychomotor skills such as measurement of vital signs, EKG placement and operation, collection of laboratory samples, crutch measurement, teaching, and escorting patients to exam rooms and assisting patients in and out of wheelchairs, and other skills.

Physical Environment:

The physical environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the environment is usually moderate.

Physical Effort:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee’s physical effort may require the ability to stand, walk frequently, use hands, reach with arms or hands, climb, or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to sit. The employee may be asked to lift and/or move up to 15 pounds.

Occupational Risks:

The duties of this job may subject the employee to exposure to occupational risks such as contagious disease or potential contamination with infected bodily fluids. Universal precautions and techniques are included in the orientation program and the availability of protective wear is supported and encouraged when the employee is at risk for exposure.