Palliative Care Medical Assistant

Job Summary:   The Palliative Care Medical Assistant (MA) plays a key role on the interdisciplinary Palliative Care team, actively engaging with patients, families, caregivers, referral sources, facilities, and other healthcare providers. This role includes direct support to the Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner, assisting with clinical and administrative tasks. Key responsibilities include managing patient phone calls, triaging concerns, and providing follow-up communication under the guidance of providers and clinical staff. The MA ensures accurate and timely communication with referral partners to support coordination of care and program services. Additionally, the MA provides high-level administrative support, including provider scheduling, documentation, and general clerical duties. Responsible for updating patient records, educating patients and families on medications, treatments, and care plans, and facilitating appropriate referrals.

Essential Functions:

1. Maintains accurate and up-to-date electronic medical records (EMR) for all assigned patients.
2. Collaborates with community healthcare providers—including primary care physicians, specialists, and ancillary services—to support continuity of care.
3. Communicates patient status updates to community referral sources.
4. Coordinates care with hospital staff, long-term care facilities, and community living providers.
5. Obtains current clinical information from community providers to support accurate patient assessments and treatment planning.
6. Receives and triages incoming calls for the Palliative Care program; address patient needs or escalate appropriately.
7. Completes follow-up tasks after patient visits and triage calls, as directed by the Nurse Practitioner.
8. Processes medication and treatment orders using the electronic prescribing system.
9. Manages insurance prior authorizations for medications and services.
10. Ensures consents and medical documentation are accurately completed and stored in the EMR.
11. Retrieves and shares laboratory results and reports promptly with the ordering provider.
12. Provides support to other Palliative Care MAs and nursing staff as needed, including coverage during PTO/CTO or other leaves.
13. Facilitates and hosts monthly interdisciplinary team (IDT) meetings for assigned providers.
14. Utilize the Health Information Exchange (HIE) to coordinate and enhance patient care.
15. Attend department and agency-wide meetings as assigned.
16. Demonstrate a strong understanding and commitment to the philosophy of Palliative Care and the mission and vision of the agency.
17. Ensure compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations, agency policies, HIPAA, and quality standards.
18. Adheres to the organizational Code of conduct and all departmental and organizational policies, procedures, protocols, practices and all regulatory and legal requirements.
19. Adheres to the NorthStar standards to care for every person, every time, 100% of the time.