Description

Medical Assistant

JOB SUMMARY

Under the direction of a licensed medical provider, the Medical Assistant assists in the examination and treatment of patients. Performs patient interviews, prepares patients for provider's care, measures vital signs, observes and reports patient's signs and symptoms and records information on patient charts. Prepares treatment rooms for patient examination and provides basic first aid; may perform basic laboratory procedures and/or collect routine laboratory specimens within the scope of practice. Assists with patient ambulation and use of assistive devices.

Requirements

Education

Graduate of an accredited school of nursing. Bachelor's Degree is preferred.

Graduate of a Medical Assisting program.

Experience:

Prior critical care or intensive care experience is preferred.

One (1) year of hospital or clinic experience in a medical assisting function is preferred.

Licenses/Certificates

Current Mississippi RN licensure is required.

BLS & ACLS certification is required. PALS certification is preferred

Must maintain certification or registration as a Medical Assistant; Mississippi State Certification is preferred. BLS certification is required.

Working Conditions:

Regularly exposed to the risk of bloodborne/airborne disease; contact with patients under a wide variety of circumstances; exposed to unpleasant elements (accidents, injuries, chemicals and illness); subject to varying and unpredictable situations; able to handle emergency, crisis or pressured situations; subject to multiple interruptions; occasionally subject to extended or irregular hours; requires judgment/actions that impact patient outcomes.

VISUAL AND HEARING REQUIREMENTS

Yes Must be able to see with corrective eye wear

Yes Must be able to hear clearly with assistance

Other May be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases. May be in contact with patients in a wide variety of circumstances. Able to handle emergency or crisis situations. Occasionally subject to irregular hours. May be required to wear protective equipment as necessary.

General Duties

• Plans, organizes and supports the care of patients, families and visitors within the certified medical assistant scope of practice in an outpatient setting.
• Provides triage, patient data collection, pre-registration, schedules appointments, coordinates referrals, and appropriately documents patient's chart.
• Requisitions supplies and equipment, maintenance and repair services, and prepares related documentation. Keeps stock and equipment inventories.
• Assists providers and RN's with medical office procedures. Ensures accurate, timely communication among caregivers (e.g. handoff/report, changes in patient condition, vital signs).
• Supports orientation, instruction and training of clinic personnel and/or students.
• Enhances growth and development through participation in educational programs, current literature, in-services and meetings.
• Assures patient identification according to policy and procedure.
• Participates in the development, communication and implementation of the patient care plan under the direction of the provider and nursing staff.
• Provides and documents teaching for patients based on assessment of needs in collaboration with the provider and nursing staff.
• Timely reporting and documenting of unexpected incidents or adverse events, including participation in investigations and completion of incident reports as applicable.
• Demonstrates knowledge and care standards for clinic specific patient populations.

Standards for Customer Service

1. Treats customers as the most important part of job.
2. Listens to customer.
3. Takes actions to appropriately and successfully addresses customer issues.
4. Demonstrates respect for diverse cultures of all patients, families and co-workers.
5.  Honors the CHS Customer Service Standards and the Employee Commitment Contract.
6. Communicates with customers using AIDET with every encounter.
7. Understands department-specific HCAHPS results.
8. (Nursing/Support Services) Conducts clinical hourly rounding.
9. (Nursing/Support Services) Communicates with patients and family by updating Patient Communication Boards (white boards) and bedside shift report.

Standards for Safety

1. Follows safety guidelines in safety manual.
2. Knows RACE procedures, location of closest fire extinguisher.
3.  Speaks up for safety and reports potential safety issues to leader.
4.  Attends all required safety education programs.
5.  Provides complete and accurate response to safety questions.
6. Participates in unit or departmental Safety Huddle to maintain situational awareness of at-risk patients or procedures, safety critical situations or conditions, and any deficiencies that will impact safe, quality care.
7. Incorporates “SAFE” error prevention behaviors and tools into daily practice.

Standards of Employment

1. Attire is professional, neat, clean and appropriate for work preformed and wears proper identification while on duty.
2. Maintains confidentiality of hospital and patient information at all times.
3.  Employee has completed the required Annual Mandatory Education within the past twelve (12) months.
4.  Consistently follows attendance policy.

Standards of Quality Improvement/Innovation

1.  Lacks awareness of work processes. Rarely contributes new ideas or seeks opportunities for improvement. Often refuses to participate in group and/or team efforts; resists changes in operations
2. Understands and questions work processes; effectively carries out instructions for improvement. Makes helpful suggestions for change. Willing to participate in team efforts; contributes new ideas.
3. Extensive awareness of process and process outcomes; applies QI principles to increase knowledge. Consistently takes initiative to seek out methods for improvement. Volunteers to serve on QI project team and functions effectively as a contributing member.

Quality Improvement/Innovation

1. Identifies and challenges work processes.
2. Works toward continuous improvement based on customer needs.
3. Contributes new ideas, makes helpful suggestions for change.
4. Works effectively as a part of the team, participates and supports group efforts.

Department/Job Specific Competencies

1. Handwashing / Infection Control
2. Security Awareness
3. Privacy Awareness