Medical Assistant -- Per Diem

Beth Israel Lahey Health

23h•$21 - $28

About The Position

Performs a wide variety of medical assisting activities during patient visits in an outpatient clinical setting as part of a healthcare team managing the ongoing care of a patient panel under the direction of an assigned clinician. The role involves extensive interaction with patients from diverse populations, medical practitioners, and staff. At BIDMC, Medical Assistants in hospital-based practices may not perform duties restricted to licensed personnel, including drawing up or administering medications or flushing an IV. Under a licensed provider’s supervision, Medical Assistants may retrieve scheduled VI and over-the-counter medications only. The Medical Assistant supports patient visits and procedures, screening, specimen collection, follow-up coordination, patient education, and care-team communication. The role also includes maintaining supplies and equipment, supporting patients with physical or psychological limitations, and helping patients establish and achieve health-related goals. Employees must be competent to provide care to neonatal, youth, young adult, middle-aged, and elderly patients. This is a per-diem position. The stated base hourly pay range is $21.00–$28.26. Compensation may vary based on factors such as seniority, education, training, relevant experience and certifications, work location, responsibilities, and applicable additional pay practices. Beth Israel Lahey Health requires staff to be vaccinated against influenza as a condition of employment.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
1–3 years of related work experience.
Basic computer familiarity and ability to navigate web-based applications at a basic level.
An MA, EMT, CNA, or LNA certificate or diploma; or at least five months of direct patient-care experience in a clinical or research setting. Examples include working as a medical assistant, patient care technician, or clinical nursing assistant, or being a nursing or medical student who has completed one clinical rotation.
Ability to read and write in English to understand basic safety instructions and supervisor directions, communicate effectively with patients, families, and medical-center staff, and respond to basic questions.
Ability to comprehend and converse in English to communicate effectively with medical-center staff, patients, families, and external customers.
Working knowledge of standard concepts, practices, procedures, and policies, with the ability to apply them in varied situations.
Ability to follow general instructions and procedures; work is monitored by a supervisor or manager.
Ability to make decisions based on specific instructions, standard practices, and established procedures, generally requiring little or no supervision.
Ability to address routine, somewhat repetitive problems by following directions and procedures and identify opportunities for process improvement.
Ability to collaborate in small teams, offer ideas, identify issues, and respect team members.
Ability to provide professional, respectful, service-oriented customer service using active listening and problem-solving skills, and remain calm in stressful situations.
Competence to provide patient care to neonatal (birth to 6 months), youth (6 months to 16 years), young adult (16–30 years), middle-aged (30–60 years), and elderly (60 years and older) age groups.
Ability to exert up to 50 pounds occasionally and/or up to 20 pounds frequently, and to stand and/or move around through the majority of the shift.
Influenza vaccination is required as a condition of employment.

Nice To Haves

Experience and proficiency working with both pediatric and adult populations.
Bilingual ability in Cape Verdean Creole, Spanish, or Vietnamese.
Phlebotomy certificate.

Responsibilities

Perform patient-visit and procedure activities, including taking vital signs, height and weight; conducting EKGs and phlebotomy; removing sutures; and assisting with procedures.
Carry out interventions according to standardized protocols and procedures.
Perform screenings, laboratory tests, and specimen collection according to quality-control standards; explain tests and procedures; and educate and support patients regarding recommended preventative screenings.
Encourage patients as a health coach, including reminding them of the importance of recommended care.
Schedule follow-up tests and appointments in hospital systems according to protocol; track referrals, diagnostic testing, and other interventions; and contact patients with reminders and as otherwise required.
Support and follow up with patients with diabetes in accordance with lab and visit guidelines; assist with glucometer instructions, medication reconciliation, and nutritional support during group medical visits under a Certified Diabetes Educator’s supervision.
Collect complete and accurate information from patients, prioritize it, and communicate it appropriately to clinical staff.
Enter orders and patient-visit information in OMR as assigned and maintain patient confidentiality in all communications and information distribution.
Collaborate with patients and their medical home teams to identify patient goals and action plans supporting healthy lifestyles and improved health, and facilitate actions to help patients achieve their goals.
Order and maintain supplies and equipment, which may include monitoring code-cart supplies; ensure equipment is usable and supplies are appropriately stocked and within expiration dates.
Clean and disinfect patient-care equipment between uses according to guidelines, and disinfect or sterilize specialized equipment as required by the unit.
Assist patients with physical or psychological limitations with ambulation and patient-care functions while preserving their comfort and dignity; this may include transferring patients between a wheelchair and exam table, helping them dress or undress, and ensuring their safety until the provider arrives.
Maintain a clean, organized, and appropriately stocked environment.
Escort patients to ancillary service areas, such as radiology and laboratory, as needed.
Perform other support activities requested by managers or clinical providers to address patient needs.
Attend internal or external educational or training sessions as assigned.