Medical Assistant

Yale New Haven Health•Fairfield, CT

12d

About The Position

The Medical Assistant assists physicians and other providers with patient care, rooming patients, and clerical, environmental, and organizational tasks. The role includes appointment scheduling and chart management, providing patients with information to help them use and benefit from practice services, and conveying a positive image of the practice. Employees are expected to understand and support the YNHHS Vision and Mission and to live its values of integrity, patient-centeredness, respect, accountability, and compassion.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Graduation from an accredited medical assistant certificate program or phlebotomy program, or certification as a CNA, EMT, or paramedic. Employees joining through a merger or acquisition may meet educational requirements through an appropriate combination of education, relevant experience, and current competencies.
At least one year of experience as a medical assistant, CNA, EMT, ambulatory care associate, patient care associate/technician, paramedic, or phlebotomist is required. New graduates of an accredited medical assistant certificate program with less than one year of experience will be considered.
Ability to follow directions effectively and consistently.
Mature, compassionate, and caring attitude, with sensitivity to the diverse needs of the patient population.
Flexibility and cooperation, with the ability to adapt to changing role demands.
Ability to use appropriate communication techniques to meet position requirements and foster positive interactions.

Nice To Haves

Certification or registration as a CCMA, CMA, AAMA, or RMA; certification or registration may be accepted in lieu of graduation from an accredited medical assistant school.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

Responsibilities

Identify themselves to patients and families, explain care-team roles, accompany patients to exam or procedure rooms, and prepare patients for visits.
Obtain and document vital signs and other applicable measurements or tests, such as height, weight, blood pressure, EKG, specimen collection, phlebotomy, INR, pulse oximetry, and spirometry.
Document medical, surgical, family, and social history, problem lists, and medications in EPIC; perform screenings according to provider guidelines.
Assist physicians and providers with procedures and obtain pre-authorizations when needed.
Convey instructions to patients, families, and caregivers and provide provider-directed resource materials and referrals.
Maintain patient records, manage and routinely check the EPIC in-basket, and promptly answer and return calls with relevant information.
Send and receive medical records, abstract new-patient records into EPIC, obtain requested laboratory and radiology reports, hospital notes, and referral information, and complete forms and requisitions.
Cross-train on front-desk duties, including greeting patients and visitors, answering calls, scheduling appointments, and maintaining and scanning patient records.
Set up instruments and equipment according to department protocol; follow infection-control principles and clean rooms, instruments, and equipment between patient visits.
Clean the sterilizer when applicable according to its maintenance schedule and maintain documentation; order, sort, and store supplies according to department policy.
Protect patient autonomy, confidentiality, and dignity; ensure providers submit timely and accurate billing; and maintain knowledge of practice policy, HIPAA, coding, OSHA, and applicable CLIA regulations.
Respond promptly to urgent and non-urgent patient issues and quickly communicate patient- or staff-related problems to the supervisor.
Work with the Care Coordinator on Patient Centered Medical Home initiatives, attend and participate in staff meetings, and contribute to health-promotion and disease-prevention programs.
Contribute to team and department quality-improvement and evaluation activities and support continuous improvement in practice.
Advocate for vulnerable individuals and populations and foster ongoing educational experiences for colleagues, healthcare professionals, and community members.
Interact effectively and professionally with people of all ages and diverse backgrounds, identities, lifestyles, and physical abilities.
Coordinate collection of patient and family feedback and participate in interventions addressing identified needs.
Assist with or perform chaperone duties for medical procedures as needed and perform other duties as required.