Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) - Roper St. Francis Express Care - University Boulevard

Roper St. Francis Healthcare•North Charleston, SC

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Certified Medical Assistant is a multi-skilled clinical professional who provides indirect and/or direct patient care within the scope of practice and in accordance with standards of excellence and quality. Under provider direction, the Medical Assistant helps complete the patient’s chief complaint by collecting measurements such as respirations, blood pressure, pulse oximetry, height, weight, and temperature; documents patient and family needs; participates in planning and implementing care; and administers ordered medications within the Medical Assisting scope and state guidelines. The role supports clinical and administrative operations, including preparing patients for examinations, documenting in electronic health records, assisting with virtual visits, managing provider-directed messages, and completing front-desk workflows when needed. The position serves adult and geriatric patients. The clinic is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; the schedule is three 12-hour shifts from 7:45 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with rotating weekends. Travel to other facilities or adjusted hours may be required as directed by the practice manager to meet patient care needs. The work takes place in a general office environment and may involve high stress, fluctuating workloads, high noise levels, bright lights, interruptions, working alone, physical or verbal abuse, limited hazardous substances or body fluids, infectious materials, and adverse weather conditions. Employees must follow universal precautions and infection-control policies and use required personal protective equipment. Physical demands include lifting and carrying, pushing and pulling, stooping, kneeling, crawling, climbing, balancing, bending, sitting, walking, and standing. Additional requirements and hazards include manual dexterity, reaching above shoulder level, repetitive arm and hand movements, finger dexterity, color vision, distance and near acuity, depth perception, and possible exposure to latex, chemicals or detergents, moving mechanical parts, dust or fumes, electrical shock, X-ray or electromagnetic energy, and high-pitched noises.

Requirements

Active certification in Medical Assisting from an accepted certifying organization is required: CMA, RMA, CCMA, NCMA, or NRCMA. NAHP certification is not accepted in South Carolina.
BLS Basic Life Support certification from the American Heart Association is required at hire for Roper St. Francis Healthcare locations; at Bon Secours Mercy Health it is preferred at hire and required before independent patient care.
High school diploma or GED is required.
In South Carolina, completion of an accredited post-secondary medical assisting program, an approved career and technical education health sciences program, a U.S. military medical assisting program, a U.S. Department of Labor-approved registered apprenticeship, or an employer-delivered training program aligned to a nationally accredited certification exam is required.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Ability to work collaboratively with patients, families, and teams in a high-volume environment.
Knowledge of medical terminology.
Attention to detail.
Ability to multitask.
Ability to use standard office equipment, including a computer, copier, telephone, and fax machine.
Ability to exercise universal precautions, use personal protective equipment and devices, and follow infection-control policies.

Nice To Haves

Completion of an externship or clinical laboratory training.
One year of recent Medical Assisting experience.
Completion of an accredited post-secondary Medical Assistant education program is preferred in states other than South Carolina.
Assessment-Based Recognition in Order Entry (ABR-OE) may be accepted if the incumbent cannot obtain Medical Assistant certification, but it is not accepted in South Carolina.

Responsibilities

Understand and comply with the legal responsibilities and requirements of the Medical Assistant role.
Collect patient data, identify significant changes in condition, and report them to the provider.
Troubleshoot issues and escalate problems to the provider, direct supervisor, or appropriate internal resource.
Provide excellent care in interactions with internal and external customers.
Maintain clinical and administrative skills according to departmental competency guidelines.
Escort patients to examination rooms and prepare them for the physician.
Travel to other facilities or adjust working hours as directed by the practice manager to meet patient care needs.
Maintain clean, orderly, safe work areas, examination rooms, and equipment, and ensure supplies and equipment are available and functioning properly.
Assist with virtual health visits by setting up the visit platform, pre-charting, contacting patients to prepare them, troubleshooting issues, and collecting chief complaints, health maintenance information, medication reviews, and other relevant details.
Document accurately and appropriately in electronic medical records.
Manage electronic health record in-basket messages according to the provider’s verbatim instructions.
Perform front-desk workflows when needed, such as MyChart requests, patient registration, scheduling, phone triage, cash handling, and check-in/check-out.
Follow up on orders, appointments, referrals, and follow-up visits, and collect co-payments as needed.
Order supplies, track referrals, laboratory work and diagnostic tests, and dispose of contaminated supplies.
Record medical histories, vital statistics, and test results in medical records.
Interview patients and measure vital signs, weight, and height.
Prepare and administer medications as directed by a physician.
Collect, log, and prepare blood, tissue, and other laboratory specimens for testing.
Provide authorized prescription and drug-refill information to pharmacies as directed by a provider.
Explain treatment procedures, medications, diets, and physician instructions to patients.
Clean and sterilize instruments and dispose of contaminated supplies.
Perform routine laboratory tests and sample analyses.
Perform general office duties, including answering telephones, taking dictation, and completing insurance forms.
Complete skills or competency checklists to assist physicians with examinations and treatment, including handing instruments, giving injections, removing sutures, and changing wound dressings.