Medical Assistant I

First Choice Community Healthcare INC•South Valley, NM

9h•Onsite

About The Position

Under the supervision of the Nurse Flow Manager within the Health Center, the Medical Assistant I functions at the entry level of a Medical Assistant in clinical and clerical support as part of a patient care team of providers and nurses who provide direct patient care at the health centers. By the end of the first 6 months, with training provided, the Medical Assistant I should have mastered essential duties defined below and be ready to advance to a Medical Assistant II. As a member of a patient care team, the Medical Assistant assists in the preparation of the patient visit by performing administrative tasks such as registering, scheduling, and verifying appointments, verifying patient insurance, explaining fee schedules, collecting co-payments, greeting patients, preparing for visits, collecting lab results and paperwork, printing labels, preparing encounter forms, scheduling referrals, demonstrating effective communication, and mailing results. Clinically, the Medical Assistant I interviews patients, records information, obtains medical history and vital signs, follows universal precautions, fills out lab requisitions, labels specimens, maintains patient confidentiality, assists providers with exams and procedures, performs visual exams and EKGs, prepares and cleans exam rooms, cleans and sterilizes instruments, maintains room supplies, may interpret, explains discharge plans, and performs various medical procedures like medication administration (inhalation, ears, eyes, orally, injection), immunizations, and in-house tests (strep, BGL, HCT, chemstrip UA, HCG, hemoglobin A1C’s, urine drug screens) after required training and sign-off.

Requirements

High School graduate or GED certificate
Graduation from a technical school as a Medical Assistant or equivalent.
CPR Certification must be obtained within first 6 months of hire and maintained.
Knowledge of patient interviewing techniques
Knowledge of basic medical terminology
Knowledge of vital signs/ abnormal values
Knowledge of patient charting
Knowledge of exam room maintenance
Knowledge of provider orders
Knowledge of instillation of drops and ointments in the eye or ear.
Knowledge of oral medications
Knowledge of communication skills
Knowledge of basic lab
Knowledge of EKG
Knowledge of OSHA guidelines, blood borne pathogens and universal precautions.
Knowledge of various positions and methods used for different exams
Knowledge of eye exams
Knowledge of introduction to autoclave
Knowledge of basic Insurance, coding and Billing terminology
Knowledge of various instrument parts (i.e., handles, locks, teeth, serrations) and classifications
Knowledge of instruments used for various types of examinations
Knowledge of the procedures for the care and sterilization of non-disposable instruments and the care and the disposal procedures for disposable instruments
Knowledge of procedures for performing subcutaneous, intradermal, and intramuscular injections
Knowledge of procedure for obtaining a drug from a vial or ampoules
Knowledge of needle sizes and syringe type necessary for injection type
Knowledge of categories, forms, and uses of drugs
Knowledge of procedures for obtaining sterile, clean catch, timed, and drug screening specimens
Knowledge of procedures for performing urinalysis, including physical characteristics, chemical (dipstick), and microscope preparation
Knowledge of ECG procedure for patient preparation, lead placement and obtaining a 12-lead electrocardiogram
Knowledge of TJC and related accreditation and certification
Knowledge and familiarity with compliance program.
Ability to obtain a blood pressure and knowledge of cuff sizes and recognition of normal and abnormal readings.
Ability to take a pulse; recognize normal and abnormal readings, and knowledge of various locations that can be used.
Ability to obtain a respiratory rate and the knowledge of normal and abnormal readings.
Ability to obtain height and weight information to include pediatric/adult.
Ability to obtain temperatures via oral, rectal and axillary methods.
Ability to obtain throat culture swab.
Ability to communicate effectively with patients and their families to make their visit a pleasant experience.
Ability to use a multi-line telephone system.
Ability to use a computer to enter and access patient data to complete a discharge plan.
Ability to work on multiple tasks within established deadlines.
Ability to work under the direction of a provider and follow instructions for work completion.
Ability to take the initiative to resolve patient concerns and problems.
Ability to work well with diverse groups of people.
Ability to work well as a team member.
Ability to maintain confidentiality of records and information.
Ability to follow routine verbal or written instructions.

Nice To Haves

Bi-lingual (English/Spanish) is preferred.

Responsibilities

Uses the practice management program to register, schedule and verify appointments, as needed.
Reviews the next day’s schedule and prepares for patient visit.
Verifies patient insurance.
Explains fee schedules and collects any required co-payment.
Receives and greets patients and visitors.
Calls and assists patients into examination rooms.
Collects any lab results, outside records and needed paperwork for the visit.
Prints labels.
Prepares encounter forms and charting notes.
Schedules referral appointments.
Demonstrates effective communication and written skills.
Mails out results.
Interviews patients and records information to document patient reason for visit and any health problems.
Obtains patient’s medical history differentiating between subjective and objective information.
Obtains patients vital signs and report abnormal readings to the provider.
Follow universal precautions in accordance with FCCH policies and procedures.
Completely fills out lab requisitions and labels all specimens for in-house and “send out” labs.
Maintain confidentiality of patient information in accordance with HIPAA.
Assists provider with exams and procedures.
Perform visual exams using eye chart.
Perform EKG’s.
Prepare exam rooms for any expected procedures.
Clean and sanitize exam rooms after each visit and as needed.
Clean, wrap, and label instruments for autoclave.
Maintain exam rooms with medical forms and supplies.
May serve as an interpreter as appropriate.
Explain discharge plans to patient.
Administration of medication through inhalation, ears, eyes, orally and by injection after required trainings have been completed and having been observed and signed off by a provider or licensed health professional.
Performs subcutaneous and intramuscular immunizations after completion of an immunization/injection class and been observed and signed off by a provider or licensed health professional.
Performs in-house test such as strep, BGL, hematocrit (HCT), chemstrip UA, HCG, hemoglobin A1C’s and urine drug screens.
Other duties as assigned.