Medical Assistant

Heartland Dermatology Center•Garden City, KS

About The Position

The Medical Assistant delivers patient care as part of a medical team, aiming to provide efficient, high-quality care while responding compassionately to patient needs. The role assists providers with examinations, procedures, and related patient care, and acts as a patient advocate. Staff members have access to patient medical charts, demographic information, and, when necessary, financial information to support care. A signed Confidentiality Agreement is required before access to this information is granted. Responsibilities vary by Medical Assistant tier. Tier 1–3 duties include gathering patient histories and updates, performing reviews of systems, preparing patients for examinations and procedures, documenting and scribing visits, supporting MIPS information accuracy, handling patient calls and faxes, assisting providers, collecting specimens, preparing supplies, and maintaining clinical areas and equipment. Tier 2–3 duties add patient education, medication and refill tasks, communication of benign pathology results, and administering ordered medications and treatments. Tier 3 duties additionally include communication of malignant or pre-malignant pathology results, closed-loop coordination with outside providers, preparing and mixing specified medications, phototherapy, and designated iPledge tasks. The position also includes cleaning and preparing rooms, maintaining supplies and instruments, handling specimens and biohazards according to applicable guidance, participating in staff meetings, and supporting a positive and collaborative clinic culture. Other duties may be assigned by the lead nurse.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Active CPR certification.
Willingness to use nursing skills and learn numerous dermatologic procedures.
Ability to work independently while collaborating closely as a team member.
Ability to take initiative and strong attention to detail.
Effective verbal and written communication with patients, providers, and staff.
Ability to learn and perform the procedures and tasks listed in the job description.
Ability to lift and carry 20 pounds and occasionally up to 50 pounds.
Proficiency in basic medical math.
Problem-solving and reasoning skills to make discriminating judgments about right and wrong.
Legible handwriting.
Dress according to the guidelines in the personnel manual.
Ability to use an EHR for medical documentation on desktop and tablet platforms.
Successful completion of the derm tech program and obtaining certification.

Responsibilities

Obtain patients’ histories of present illness and concerns, and update relevant information.
Perform reviews of systems with patients.
Prepare patients for examinations and procedures.
Take and update past medical, family, medication, allergy, and social histories at each visit.
Complete patient notes and scribe the examination, assessment, and treatment plan as outlined by the provider; input and verify information for MIPS.
Perform suture removals and provide post-operative wound-care instructions.
Take phone calls, return messages, and triage patients as necessary.
Process faxes in a timely manner.
Help teammates manage workloads and collaborate on task distribution and delegation.
Stay current on best practices and new medications.
Assist patients with getting to exam rooms, bathrooms, or transportation as needed.
For Tier 2–3: educate and support patients and families regarding care and treatment decisions.
For Tier 2–3: input medications and prescriptions as ordered, provide medication education as appropriate, complete refill requests, contact patients with benign pathology results requiring no treatment, and administer ordered medications and treatments using the Five Rights of Medication Administration.
For Tier 3: contact patients with malignant or pre-malignant pathology results and schedule follow-ups, procedures, and appointments.
For Tier 3: use closed-loop communication when coordinating with outside providers and specialists.
For Tier 3: mix and draw up medications, including anesthetic, methotrexate, 5-FU, and IM steroids, according to clinic policy and provider orders.
For Tier 3: perform phototherapy according to clinic protocols and prescribing-provider direction.
Assist providers during examinations and enter prescriptions as directed.
Assist with prior authorizations for specialty medications according to clinic workflows.
Prepare surgical supplies and equipment; collect and document laboratory specimens; and assist providers with biopsies, surgeries, and procedures.
Prepare for outreach and satellite clinics.
Perform temperature and quality-control checks as instructed by the CLIA officer.
Complete documentation and scribing for patient visits and communications.
For Tier 3: perform iPledge designee, confirmation, registration, and patient-counseling tasks as instructed by the provider.
Clean and prepare exam rooms after each visit; prepare instruments for sterilization, use the autoclave according to manufacturer direction, and perform weekly and monthly autoclave maintenance.
Restock exam, surgical, and treatment areas and report items needing reorder.
Keep work and shared areas clean and organized; empty and wipe trash receptacles; and remove biohazards and sharps containers according to OSHA packaging and disposal guidance.
Vacuum and sweep as needed, and wash, fold, and put away laundry.
Prepare specimens for courier pickup and complete associated logs and documentation.
Assist with answering incoming clinic calls.
Attend regular staff meetings and provide feedback about policies and procedures.
Promote positive change and the desired organizational culture, and constructively provide feedback when behaviors do not align with that culture.
Perform other duties as assigned, including duties assigned by the lead nurse.