Medical Assistant - Surgical Services

Sturdy Memorial Hospital•Attleboro, MA

4d•$18 - $27

About The Position

The Patient Care Associate (PCA) in a medical office setting provides direct patient support and clinical assistance to providers and nursing staff in an ambulatory care environment. The role prepares patients for visits, obtains and documents clinical information, assists with basic procedures, and supports efficient patient flow. The PCA contributes to a positive patient experience through compassionate, professional care and helps ensure clinical areas are safe, organized, and compliant with regulatory standards. Clinical responsibilities include rooming patients, taking vital signs, triaging patient phone calls, reviewing charts, scheduling patients, responding to provider messages, preparing exam rooms, and assisting providers and nursing staff during visits and minor procedures. The role also supports prior authorizations, referrals, appointment scheduling, inbox management, supply processes, patient education as directed, and accurate documentation in the electronic medical record. The position requires adapting to a busy office environment and communicating professionally with patients, families, healthcare professionals, and colleagues. The PCA maintains a clean, safe, and organized clinical environment, including disinfecting rooms and equipment between patients, and complies with infection-control, safety, privacy, and HIPAA requirements. The position may also perform other duties assigned to support patient care and clinic operations. Duties and responsibilities may change with or without notice. The role requires the ability to perform its essential functions, including required work hours, locations, and physical demands, with or without reasonable accommodation and without posing a direct threat to workplace health and safety. Physical demands include standing and walking for extended periods, sitting for documentation or administrative work, lifting or moving patients or equipment weighing up to 25–50 pounds depending on clinic needs, bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching, and manual dexterity for clinical tasks. The employee must have sufficient vision and hearing to assess patients, read instruments, and communicate effectively; safely use office and clinical equipment; and tolerate varying environmental conditions, including cleaning solutions and occasional exposure to bodily fluids while using appropriate PPE.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
At least 1 year of experience in a medical office, ambulatory care, or healthcare is preferred, or equivalent clinical experience.
Ability to obtain and accurately document vital signs and basic patient information.
Knowledge of medical terminology and basic clinical procedures.
Proficiency with electronic medical records (EMR/EHR) systems and basic computer skills.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to interact professionally with patients, families, and healthcare team members.
Ability to maintain patient confidentiality and comply with HIPAA and organizational policies.
Demonstrated reliability, punctuality, and ability to follow established policies and procedures.
Ability to adapt to a busy office environment and meet care standards.
Ability to fulfill essential job functions, including required work hours, locations, and physical demands, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Ability to stand and walk for extended periods; sit as needed; lift, move, or assist patients or equipment weighing up to 25–50 pounds depending on clinic needs; and bend, stoop, kneel, and reach.
Manual dexterity to perform clinical tasks such as taking vital signs, administering tests, or handling specimens; sufficient vision and hearing to assess patients, read instruments, and communicate effectively.
Ability to safely use office and clinical equipment and tolerate varying environmental conditions, including cleaning solutions and occasional exposure to bodily fluids, with appropriate PPE.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience in an ambulatory or outpatient medical office setting.
Familiarity with multiple EMR/EHR systems.
Customer service experience in a healthcare or patient-facing environment.
Knowledge of infection-control practices and basic safety protocols.
Strong organizational and multitasking skills.
Ability to work as part of a collaborative healthcare team.
Comfort supporting diverse patient populations, including pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients.

Responsibilities

Room patients; take vital signs, height, weight, and other routine measurements; and obtain and document basic patient information.
Triage and evaluate patient phone calls, respond to patient inquiries in person and by phone, and communicate professionally with patients and healthcare professionals.
Review charts, respond to provider messages, and assist with inbox management according to SMA policy.
Prepare exam rooms for providers between patient contacts and maintain a clean, safe, and organized clinical environment, including disinfecting rooms and equipment between patients.
Assist providers and nursing staff during patient visits, examinations, and minor procedures.
Accurately document patient information, clinical observations, and visit details in the EMR/EHR.
Obtain prior authorizations for office visits, prescriptions, and procedures or surgeries.
Assist with inbound and outbound referrals and schedule new and established patient appointments, follow-up visits, and referrals as needed.
Greet and check in patients, verify demographics and insurance information, and ensure accurate patient records in the EMR/EHR.
Provide patient education and instructions as directed by the provider or nurse.
Coordinate with clinical and administrative staff to support efficient patient flow and office workflows.
Support supply management processes and needs.
Comply with infection-control, safety, privacy, HIPAA, and organizational policies.
Perform other duties as assigned to support patient care and clinic operations.