Medical Assistant Ihmg

Independence Health System Careers•Ligonier, PA

About The Position

The Medical Assistant performs basic direct patient care activities, including laboratory tests, treatments, and medication or immunization administration, under the direction of a nurse and/or physician to prepare patients for examination and treatment. The role also supports the physician practice through clerical work, quality control, performance improvement activities, and serving as a resource for clerical and clinical staff. The position includes collecting patient information and vital signs, completing ordered treatments and testing, preparing patients and exam rooms, documenting care, communicating concerns to physicians or nurses, and providing patient education. Administrative duties include answering calls, maintaining patient demographic and insurance information, entering billing codes and charges, preparing charts, and completing forms. The Medical Assistant also supports patient safety, infection control, survey readiness, quality monitoring, specimen handling, phlebotomy, and scheduling of procedures and testing. The incumbent may be scheduled according to operational needs, including rotating shifts, standby, or on-call work. Local travel between system locations may be expected. Goggles, a face shield, and a mask are required according to CDC guidelines during the stated pandemic-related conditions. If lifting requirements exceed 50 pounds, two-person assistance and/or a transfer device is required.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or higher level of education.
Strong leadership ability, organizational skills, independent and critical thinking skills, sound judgment, and knowledge of legal aspects and liability of nursing practice.
Ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.
Required clearances: Act 33 with renewal, Act 34 with renewal, and Act 73 FBI Clearance.
For the Southern Market, current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through an American Heart Association-approved curriculum, including CPR and AED, is required.

Nice To Haves

Previous outpatient office experience.
Successful completion of a Medical Assistant program, or one year of experience as a Medical Assistant, or certification as an EMT/Paramedic through the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.
Medical Assistant certification.

Responsibilities

Deliver direct and indirect patient care in accordance with hospital and physician practice policies, procedures, and protocols.
Collect patient healthcare data, including vital signs, weight, chief complaint, and pain assessment, as directed.
Complete patient care treatments and testing as ordered.
Document patient care completely, accurately, and promptly.
Prepare patients for examinations, treatments, and procedures.
Communicate actual or potential problems to the physician or nurse.
Perform clerical functions in support of patient care and office operations.
Answer telephone calls, take accurate messages, and relay them to appropriate staff.
Obtain and verify patient demographic and insurance information and enter it into the billing system.
Enter diagnosis-based codes and charges into the billing system.
Complete forms and letters needed for continued patient care.
Support patient safety and label patient specimens according to policy.
Follow infection-control processes, including standard precautions.
Assist with continuous survey readiness, inspections, and surveys.
Perform quality-control and monitoring functions and immediately report out-of-range information to a supervisor.
Consistently practice National Patient Safety Goals.
Schedule surgery, procedures, and testing for patients as needed.
Provide exit counseling, including education, scheduling testing, and giving patients necessary information.
Prepare charts for clinic sessions and obtain vital signs and weight.
Perform control studies and complete logbooks according to policy.
Perform phlebotomy procedures, read test results, and document them.
Prepare exam rooms and stock supplies daily.
Provide pre- and post-examination education and counseling.
Perform other duties as assigned.