Medical Assistant

Covenant Health•Lewiston, ME

22h

About The Position

Serves as a Medical Assistant in a medical practice or Urgent Care, primarily assisting providers and acting as a backup for reception. Patient care must remain within the medical assistant’s scope of practice and be directed by the provider. In an orthopedic practice, the Medical Assistant works with surgical patients who have had joint replacements and follows the standards and education requirements established by St. Mary’s Hip & Knee Replacement Interdisciplinary Team, including DNV Hip and Knee Replacement Program requirements. The role supports Covenant Health Ministry’s mission and values and includes other duties consistent with the role.

Requirements

Certification by a nationally recognized organization that includes a competency exam; listed organizations include the American Association of Medical Assistants, the National Center for Competency Testing, and the National Health Career Association.
Basic Life Support certification is required.
Working knowledge of office practice and procedures.
Ability to handle multiple priorities.
Computer skills.
Excellent patient-relations and interpersonal skills.
Medical terminology is required.
Ability to read, write, speak, and comprehend English, including understanding written instructions.
Effective telephone skills.

Nice To Haves

Graduation from an accredited two-year Medical Assistant program is preferred.

Responsibilities

Perform point-of-care testing, including urine dipstick urinalysis, urine pregnancy testing, finger-stick blood glucose testing, and rapid strep screening.
Conduct routine venipuncture, operate a centrifuge, perform 12-lead EKGs, set up and assist with pelvic exams, and apply prefabricated and fiberglass splints.
Obtain accurate temperature, pulse, blood pressure, and weight for patients of all age groups.
Safely and accurately administer injections to patients of all age groups.
Assist providers in assessing patients’ physical, psychological, and social dimensions and participate in implementing care plans.
Document visit reasons, vital signs, and other pertinent information accurately in patient charts, signing and dating all entries.
Escort patients to exam rooms and assist them as needed; perform basic intake functions under provider direction.
Follow practice protocols for specimen collection and maintain infection-control protocols within the medical assistant’s scope of practice.
Notify an RN and/or provider about abnormal vital signs and high-risk complaints, including shortness of breath, chest pain, tongue or facial swelling, dizziness, and uncontrolled bleeding.
Welcome patients, introduce yourself, keep patients informed about delays, provide educational materials as directed, and ensure patient questions are answered.
Communicate effectively with providers, staff, co-workers, and managers to meet patient needs and request assistance when needed.
Answer incoming calls professionally; identify yourself and the practice, listen to callers, gather information, direct calls, take messages, or otherwise address callers’ needs.
Assist with preparing and maintaining patient charts and other medical records, and perform data entry as needed.
Maintain procedure carts and adequate supplies; monitor, order, and replenish medical inventory; and stock exam rooms, laboratory, and medication rooms.
Assist with new staff orientation after six months of hire.
Report schedule conflicts or time constraints to the MA Lead and attend and participate in daily huddles.
Complete annual and critical competencies for the assigned department, participate in self-evaluation, and complete required annual compliance courses on time.
Serve as a resource and provide in-service education in areas of expertise; stay informed about changes and advancements in the field.
For orthopedic practice, work with joint-replacement surgical patients and complete the required hip- and knee-replacement education specified by the interdisciplinary team.