Medical Assistant – Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery

UCSF•San Francisco, CA

2d•$37 - $46•Onsite

About The Position

Under the supervision of the Nursing Supervisor and guided by the policies and procedures of Ambulatory Services, and in collaboration with the Clinical Nursing Staff, the Hospital Assistant III assists in the delivery of care to patients in the Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery ambulatory group practices. This role involves performing a variety of personal care and clinical procedures, ensuring positive care outcomes, and supporting specialty care services. The position also focuses on providing excellent customer service in an outpatient setting, facilitating accurate information flow between medical and hospital staff, and ensuring unit efficiency. Adherence to Telephone and House Standards adopted by the Medical Center is required.

Requirements

Under supervision of the Nursing Supervisor, guided by policies and procedures of Ambulatory Services, and in collaboration with the Clinical Nursing Staff, the Hospital Assistant III assists in the delivery of care to patients in the Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery ambulatory group practices.
The position performs assigned patient care and laboratory procedures in support of specialty care services and is required to learn and be able to assist within the Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery.
This position supports patients in an outpatient care unit by providing excellent customer service and facilitating and ensuring the accuracy of information flow between medical and hospital staff and departments to maximize unit efficiency.
The position is required to adhere to the Telephone and House Standards adopted by the Medical Center.
Must be able to perform disinfecting processing procedures such as Cidex OPA and maintaining appropriate logs.
Must be able to clean and prepare instruments for transport to the sterile processing department.
Must be able to assist with complex in-clinic medical procedures and diagnostic testing/imaging, including laser, nasal endoscopy, laryngoscopy, stroboscopy, EMG, Botox, fine needle aspiration, and ultrasound.
Must be able to obtain specimens and perform simple testing and laboratory procedures as directed, including QA/QC, in accordance with policies and procedures for specimen handling and processing.
Must be able to use the Electronic Health Record (APeX) for documentation within the scope of practice of a Hospital Assistant.
Must be able to maintain clean, well-stocked exam rooms, hub rooms, and laboratory areas, including ordering and maintaining supplies and maintaining laboratory equipment.
Must be able to review laboratory result logs and print results for providers as requested.
Must be able to obtain insurance authorizations for medications, procedures, and film or slide reviews.
Must be able to schedule complex procedures and coordinate services for patients.
Must be able to coordinate meal and rest periods with other Hospital Assistants and ensure clinic coverage under the direction of the supervisor/manager.
Must be able to maintain supply standards as directed by nursing staff or the appropriate supervisor.
Must follow infection control procedures and policies for cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilizing equipment.
Must participate in quality improvement and customer service initiatives, including wait-time studies and procedure outcome data collection.
Must demonstrate service excellence in accordance with UCSF Medical Center PRIDE standards for Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Diversity, and Excellence.
Must use effective communication skills with patients and staff and demonstrate proper telephone techniques and etiquette, teamwork, cultural sensitivity, and professionalism.
Must maintain privacy, confidentiality, and security of Protected Health Information and other sensitive and personal information.
Must follow safety and infection control policies and procedures.
Must assume accountability for improving quality metrics associated with the department/unit and meeting organizational and departmental targets.
Must keep work areas neat, orderly, and clutter-free; follow cleaning processes; and report broken equipment, furniture, or unsafe conditions.
Must protect the physical environment and equipment from damage and theft.
Must be willing to train and work at all OHNS sites.

Nice To Haves

Experience in Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery is a plus.
Familiarity with laser, nasal endoscopy, laryngoscopy, stroboscopy, EMG, Botox, fine needle aspiration, and ultrasound procedures is beneficial.
Proficiency in using the Electronic Health Record (APeX) is preferred.
Experience with obtaining insurance authorizations for medications, procedures, and film or slide reviews is advantageous.
Knowledge of JCAHO/Title 22 mandates is helpful.

Responsibilities

Perform routine clinical functions and document in the patient chart, including vital signs, height, weight, pain screening, and chief complaints.
Document use of interpreters as appropriate and work with interpreting services to facilitate participation in medical appointments in person, by phone, or by video when available.
Assist nurses, providers, and patients in preparation for exams and/or procedures.
Successfully complete appropriate competencies to perform or assist with procedures required for the department specialty, which may include performing disinfecting processing procedures, cleaning and preparing instruments, and assisting with complex in-clinic medical procedures and diagnostic testing/imaging.
Act as a chaperone as needed for medical providers.
Work as an internal float for the department as requested by the supervisor.
Transport patients as directed and ensure their safety.
Monitor patient flow in and out of the clinic.
Set up exam rooms based on the patient's chief complaint or reason for visit.
Obtain specimens and perform simple testing and laboratory procedures as directed, including QA/QC, in accordance with policies and procedures for specimen handling and processing.
Participate in updating mandatory logs, including temperature, disaster cabinet, and crash cart logs.
Facilitate referrals to other providers as ordered by the physician.
Obtain insurance authorizations for medications.
Perform clinical activities accurately and in a timely manner.
Assist physician staff with writing and sending patient communications.
Comply with Ambulatory Services and Medical Center policies and procedures for infection control, safety, administrative practice, and clinical practice, including activities mandated by JCAHO/Title 22.
Ensure medication cabinets remain locked.
Provide patient and family education as needed and document in APeX.
Demonstrate courtesy, common sense, and follow-through in telephone communications while maintaining Medical Center Telephone Standards.
Maintain a professional and helpful working environment by upholding Medical Center House Standards.
Notify providers of patient delays and service issues and help facilitate provider punctuality to maintain optimal clinic schedules.
Communicate provider delays to the front office team and make regular announcements to patients in waiting or exam rooms as needed when delays exceed 30 minutes.
Share pertinent information and observations with other health team members and communicate critical issues, abnormal results, and excursions in a timely manner.
Identify and communicate problems to nursing staff or the appropriate supervisor.
Offer suggestions for changes or improvements in clinic/practice operations.
Assist patients with issues and complaints using conflict management skills.
Contact laboratories, pharmacies, and physician/provider offices as needed to obtain necessary patient information while complying with HIPAA guidelines.
Use the Electronic Health Record (APeX) for documentation within the scope of practice of a Hospital Assistant, which may include documenting vital signs, entering chief complaint and history, patient-reported medications and allergies, test results, and pending orders.
Maintain clean, well-stocked exam rooms, hub rooms, and laboratory areas, including ordering and maintaining supplies and maintaining laboratory equipment.
Review laboratory result logs and print results for providers as requested.
Obtain insurance authorizations for medications, procedures, and film or slide reviews.
Schedule complex procedures and coordinate services for patients.
Coordinate meal and rest periods with other Hospital Assistants and ensure clinic coverage under the direction of the supervisor/manager.
Maintain supply standards as directed by nursing staff or the appropriate supervisor.
Follow infection control procedures and policies for cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilizing equipment.
Participate in quality improvement and customer service initiatives, including wait-time studies and procedure outcome data collection.
Demonstrate service excellence in accordance with UCSF Medical Center PRIDE standards for Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Diversity, and Excellence.
Use effective communication skills with patients and staff and demonstrate proper telephone techniques and etiquette, teamwork, cultural sensitivity, and professionalism.
Maintain privacy, confidentiality, and security of Protected Health Information and other sensitive and personal information.
Follow safety and infection control policies and procedures.
Assume accountability for improving quality metrics associated with the department/unit and meeting organizational and departmental targets.
Keep work areas neat, orderly, and clutter-free; follow cleaning processes; and report broken equipment, furniture, or unsafe conditions.
Protect the physical environment and equipment from damage and theft.
Perform other duties related to patient care activities as required.
Be willing to train and work at all OHNS sites.