Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

Department: Rural Health Clinic

Hours: Fulltime (1.0 FTE) Day Shift Monday-Friday

Description:

Position Overview: Responsible for providing patient care within scope of practice and under the supervision of a provider for adult, geriatric, and pediatric populations. Obtains and documents patient information, including medical history, chief complaint, vital signs, and other pertinent data. Prepares patients for examination and treatment, assists with patient care and care coordination, and supports provider evaluation of patient care by following established standards and practices. Responsible for the preliminary work-up of a patient before the provider sees the patient. Assists providers and staff in coordinating patient care and follow-up services. Functions as the primary liaison between patients, staff, and providers.

Note: This job description applies to both Certified Medical Assistants (CMA) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN). Specific tasks within this job description are performed within the employee’s applicable scope of practice as a CMA or LPN, and may differ based on certification/licensure and competency.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Greets patients and families in a professional and friendly manner.
• Completes patient intake and rooming, including obtaining and documenting vital signs (height, weight, blood pressure, pulse, temperature, respirations, BMI), chief complaint, medication lists, advance directives, and relevant personal, family, social, and medical history.
• Prepares patients for examinations, sets up exam rooms, and assists providers with examinations, tests, and procedures as applicable, including Pap smears, pelvic exams, casting, suturing, and minor office procedures.
• Provides patient care within scope of practice under provider direction, following established protocols and procedures.
• Administers medications and treatments as ordered by the provider.
• Maintains accurate patient charges for services and supplies used.
• Observes patients during clinic visits and communicates changes in status or concerns to the provider. Documents patient encounters and communications, including reporting any unexpected reactions to care provided.
• Responds to emergency situations and initiates life-saving measures in accordance with training and certification (e.g., BLS) and clinic protocols, and notifies provider or emergency services as appropriate.
• Answers and responds to patient telephone calls, gathers and documents patient-reported information, provides patient education and symptomatic care instructions in accordance with established protocols, and/or advises patients to schedule appointments with a provider as appropriate.
• Communicates effectively with patients, families, providers, outside agencies, and hospital personnel regarding patient care and clinic operations.
• Complies with all Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) privacy and security regulations and all organizational confidentiality policies regarding protected health information (PHI).
• Performs Scribe duties.
• Works with other members of the care team members to maintain continuity of patient care.
• Treats patients with respect and dignity at all times.
• Provides patient and family education and reinforces provider instructions as needed. Communicates in a way that patient and family can understand.
• Assists with insurance processes including prior authorizations and referrals as required, and coordinates scheduling of outside services and diagnostic testing.
• Follows up on lab and diagnostic imaging results as directed.
• Ensures orders and prescriptions are electronically transmitted or faxed in a timely manner.
• Cleans, organizes, inventories, and audits supply and pharmaceutical storage areas; removes outdated items.
• Demonstrates knowledge of sterile technique and standard precautions.
• Assists in inventory and ordering of supplies and equipment.
• Assists in maintenance of a safe, clean work environment.
• Assists with general operation of the Rural Health Clinic.
• Assumes other duties and responsibilities that are related and appropriate to the position and area. The above responsibilities are a general description of the level and nature of the work assigned to this classification and are not to be considered as all-inclusive.

Minimum Education and/or Experience Required:

• Graduate of an accredited nursing program or medical assistant program.
• Previous patient care experience preferred.

Additional Qualifications:

• Demonstrates strong interpersonal and communication skills, including active listening, effective verbal and non-verbal communication, empathy, and the ability to interact tactfully and professionally with colleagues, patients, family members, visitors, and physicians.
• Demonstrates patience, professionalism, and teamwork skills, with the ability to handle difficult situations effectively.
• Basic computer skills. Ability to learn and navigate Electronic Health Record.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills required.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently.
• Demonstrates integrity, initiative, and ability to complete assigned tasks with appropriate direction.
• Must be able to read, write, comprehend, and verbally communicate in English fluently.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Adaptive to change, embraces change with optimism.
• Ability to problem-solve and apply critical thinking skills.
• Ability to prioritize assignments and manage time efficiently.
• Ability to operate technologies and equipment associated with this position.
• Must have a service mindset and a commitment to continuous learning.
• Ability to work outside of regularly scheduled hours if needed.

Licensure/Certification Required:

• American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential or current licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in the State of Iowa.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) – BLS is not required for staff with Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certifications.
• Mandatory Reporter certification required within six (6) months of hire.

Physical Requirements:

• Sit: Occasionally
• Stand: Constant
• Walk: Constant
• Lift:
  • 10 pounds: Frequent
  • 25 pounds: Frequent
  • 50 pounds*: Occasionally
  • 75 pounds*: Occasionally
  • Greater than 100 pounds*: Occasionally
• Carry:
  • 10 pounds: Frequent
  • 25 pounds: Frequent
  • 50 pounds*: Occasionally
  • 75 pounds*: Occasionally
  • Greater than 100 pounds*: Occasionally
• Push/Pull:
  • 10 pounds: Occasionally
  • 25 pounds: Occasionally
  • 50 pounds*: Occasionally
  • 75 pounds*: Occasionally
  • Greater than 100 pounds*: Occasionally
• Squat/Kneel/Crouch: Occasionally
• Climb: Never
• Balance: Occasionally
• Twist: Occasionally
• Bend/Stoop: Frequent
• Crawl: Never
• Grasp/Grip: Constant
• Talk: Constant
• Hear: Constant
• See: Constant

• Anything greater than 50 pounds- assist of two or more, or mechanical lift are required.

Environmental Factors:

• May be exposed to communicable diseases due to working in a health care environment.
• Works in a well-illuminated climate-controlled environment.
• Work environment is comfortable, with minimal exposure to physical hazards.
• Moderate noise level when machines/equipment in use but typically quiet environment.
• May come in contact with blood and other body fluids.

Organizational Relationships:

Reports to: Rural Health Clinic Director

Employees supervised: None