Medical Assistant - Orthopedics

Henry Ford Health•Saint Clair Shores, MI

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Medical Assistant works under the direct supervision of a provider and/or nursing leadership to support quality, compassionate patient care in the Orthopedics department at St John Medical Center. The position performs administrative and clinical tasks, including escorting and preparing patients, obtaining histories and vital signs, documenting care in the electronic health record, and assisting with examinations, procedures, and treatments. The role also supports diagnostic testing, medication administration, patient communications, appointment coordination, referrals, insurance pre-authorizations, quality assurance, patient education, supply management, and the maintenance of examination and treatment rooms. The position is full-time, scheduled Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, for 40 hours per week.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED equivalent.
Meet one of the following qualifications: graduate of a Medical Assistant program with a formal clinical externship of at least 160 hours; graduate of a Medical Assistant program without a clinical externship and have at least one year of clinical medical assisting experience within the past five years; hold a current professionally recognized Medical Assistant certification and have at least one year of clinical medical assisting experience; be a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN); be a licensed Paramedic or Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) with at least one year of clinical experience in a clinical medical setting within the past five years; or be military-trained medical personnel with at least one year of clinical experience in a clinical medical setting within the past five years.
Successfully complete all components of Ambulatory orientation as defined by Henry Ford Health.
Hold current BLS-C certification upon hire or successfully complete it by the end of orientation.
Meet or exceed the health system's customer-service responsibilities, standards, and behaviors, including communication, ownership, understanding, motivation, sensitivity, excellence, teamwork, and respect.
Practice customer-service skills through ongoing training and in-services.
Be self-directed, flexible, committed to the team concept, demonstrate teamwork and initiative, be willing to learn, be open to new learning experiences, accept and respect diversity without judgment, and demonstrate customer-service values.
The role requires manual dexterity and may involve walking, standing, stooping, and some heavy lifting of patients and/or equipment.

Nice To Haves

Basic computer knowledge and keyboarding skills.
Ability to perform a wide variety of clinical skills related to ambulatory patient care.
Problem-solving ability.
Effective interpersonal and communication skills.
EPIC (Electronic Medical Record) experience.

Responsibilities

Escort patients to rooms and prepare them for examinations, procedures, and treatment.
Obtain vital signs and record them in the electronic health record (EHR).
Obtain and record patient histories using critical-thinking skills.
Prepare for, set up, and assist with examinations, procedures, and treatments according to protocols and policies.
Prepare, administer, and document ordered oral and parenteral medications and immunizations, following the six rights of medication administration and maintaining accurate records.
Document care provided during patient visits in the EHR.
Recognize and respond to emergencies.
Respond to patient requests received by telephone, In Basket message, or My Chart within identified time frames, and document responses in the EHR.
Enter medication, radiology, and laboratory orders in the EHR for provider sign-off.
Discharge patients and provide after-visit instructions as directed by the provider.
Prepare medication refill requests for provider review and signature.
Collect and transport specimens; perform CLIA-waived tests and, as needed, electrocardiography, respiratory, and other testing.
Perform phlebotomy, including venipuncture and capillary puncture.
Serve as a liaison between patients and medical staff regarding problems or complaints.
Schedule, coordinate, and monitor appointments and schedule outpatient procedures.
Apply third-party and managed-care policies, procedures, and guidelines; obtain insurance pre-authorizations; and enter referrals for provider sign-off.
Participate in departmental and divisional quality assessment and improvement programs.
Follow standard precautions, including handwashing and biohazardous-material disposal; apply aseptic and sterile techniques; and clean instruments and equipment according to policy.
Comply with health system and departmental safety standards and regulatory requirements for practice, environment, and documentation.
Advocate for patients, explain office policies and procedures, and provide health-maintenance, disease-prevention, and treatment-plan information within scope and as directed.
Identify community resources that meet individual patient needs for health maintenance and disease prevention.
Uphold Henry Ford Health goals, policies, procedures, expectations, mission, vision, and values.
Perform clerical duties, including answering phones, maintaining records, and filing.
Order and stock supplies, help maintain a clean and orderly environment, and maintain examination and treatment rooms and their inventory.
Maintain core and applicable specialty competencies and perform other duties within scope of practice as assigned.