Medical Assistant/Cardiology

SouthCoast Health•Savannah, GA

About The Position

SouthCoast Health is seeking a full-time Medical Assistant for its Cardiology Department. The role supports providers with patient care and related clerical and organizational tasks, manages patient flow, appointment scheduling, and chart records, and helps patients make full use of clinic services. The Medical Assistant is expected to convey a positive image of the clinic and contribute to a caring environment that keeps patients and families at the center of care. The position is primarily in a clinical setting and may involve exposure to infectious materials while collecting or handling body fluids or caring for patients with contagious diseases. Initial Hepatitis B screening and initial and annual TB screening/testing are required. The role may involve occasional workload-related stress. Patient information must be kept strictly confidential and accessed only for job responsibilities. Physical demands include standing and walking for extended periods; occasional lifting and carrying of items up to 20 pounds; frequent talking, hearing, eye-hand coordination, and keyboarding; and occasional stooping, lifting, grasping, pushing/pulling, and grip-strength tasks. The employee must be able to perform essential job functions unaided or with reasonable accommodation.

Requirements

High school graduate or equivalent.
For employees hired after September 1, 2008: graduation from an accredited Medical Assisting training program, military Medical Assistant training (DD214), or EMT-A or paramedic qualification is required. An exception may be considered for someone with national medical assisting certification and at least two years of medical assisting experience, subject to evaluation, Director of Nursing determination, and written approval from two Executive Committee members.
For employees hired before September 1, 2008: general medical knowledge and medical terminology acquired through formal education; if not a graduate of an accredited Medical Assisting program, at least one year of medical assisting experience in a physician’s office or other clinical facility is required.
Pass initial clinical skills competencies and initial and annual medication proficiency exams with a score of at least 80%.
Maintain current BLS/CPR certification.
Knowledge of the healthcare field and medical terminology.
Ability to perform assistance tasks appropriately; communicate with tact and provide customer service; and use a computer.
Ability to act professionally with personnel, patients, and patients’ families; communicate clearly; learn and retain patient-care procedures; complete tasks as directed by providers and nursing staff; demonstrate compassion; and manage multiple tasks flexibly.
Comply with patient privacy and confidentiality requirements.

Nice To Haves

For employees hired before September 1, 2008, graduation from an accredited training program with proper certification in medical terminology is preferred.
For employees hired after September 1, 2008, one year of experience as a medical assistant in a physician’s office or other clinical facility is recommended but not required.

Responsibilities

Create a caring environment that keeps patients and families at the center of care.
Manage clinic patient flow and coordinate with coworkers to ensure necessary clinical services are provided on the date of service.
Prepare patient charts by reviewing and gathering relevant medical history, medications, lab results, imaging, and progress notes, and ensure the EHR chart is complete before closing.
Prepare patients for examinations and special procedures.
Obtain and record vital signs, including height, weight, blood pressure, pulse, respirations, pain, and temperature.
Interview patients to identify current medical needs and relevant history; reconcile medications at every visit.
Document findings, observations, activities, care coordination, and interventions in medical records according to professional standards and procedures.
Perform clinical duties as assigned by a nurse or provider and assist providers with examinations, treatment, tests, and procedures.
Help patients set self-management goals that support healthy behaviors.
Monitor patients referred to other healthcare providers and follow up on their progress and treatment status.
Generate reports or lists and remind patients and families about needed preventive services, such as vaccinations, screenings, and laboratory tests.
Update patient plans of care and document care coordination and interventions, incorporating quality initiative measurements.
Manage EHR boxes for outstanding tasks, alerts, and pending patient-care actions promptly and accurately.
Respond promptly, courteously, and efficiently to patient inquiries or concerns regarding medical care, medication instructions, and prescription call-ins.
Perform EKGs as ordered by providers.
Promote wellness by providing patient education materials and communicating physicians’ advice and self-care instructions.