Medical Assistant

Yale New Haven Health•Fairfield, CT

About The Position

The Medical Assistant assists physicians and other providers with patient care, rooming patients, and performing clerical, environmental, and organizational tasks. The role includes scheduling appointments, managing charts, providing patients with information about practice services, and conveying a positive image of the practice. Employees are expected to understand and support the YNHHS Vision, Mission, and Values of integrity, patient-centered care, 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. 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, cooperation, and ability to adapt to changing role demands.
Ability to use appropriate communication techniques to meet role 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, escort patients to exam or procedure rooms, and prepare patients for visits.
Obtain and document patient measurements and clinical information, including vital signs, height, weight, blood pressure, EKGs, specimens, phlebotomy, INR, pulse oximetry, and spirometry as applicable; record histories, problem lists, and medications in EPIC.
Perform screenings according to physician or provider guidelines and assist with procedures.
Obtain pre-authorizations when needed and communicate instructions, resources, and referrals to patients, families, and caregivers as directed.
Maintain patient records, manage and routinely check the EPIC in-basket, and promptly answer or return calls with pertinent information.
Send and receive medical records, abstract new patient records into EPIC, obtain requested lab and radiology reports, hospital notes, and referral information, and complete forms and requisitions.
Cross-train for front desk duties, including greeting patients and visitors, answering calls, scheduling appointments, and maintaining or scanning medical records.
Set up instruments and equipment according to department protocol; apply infection-control principles; clean exam and procedure rooms, instruments, and equipment between visits; and clean and document sterilizer maintenance when applicable.
Order, sort, and store supplies according to department policy.
Protect patient autonomy, confidentiality, and dignity; support timely and accurate provider 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 report 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, advocate for vulnerable populations, and support ongoing educational experiences and continuous improvement.
Interact effectively and professionally with people of diverse ages, backgrounds, identities, lifestyles, and physical abilities.
Coordinate patient and family feedback efforts, such as focus groups and surveys, and participate in interventions addressing identified needs.
Assist with or perform chaperone duties for medical procedures as needed.
Perform other duties as required.