Medical Assistant, Pediatric Primary Care Clinic

FMOLHS•Lafayette, LA

About The Position

The Medical Assistant assists with examination and treatment of patients under the direction of a physician. The role includes interviewing patients, obtaining and recording vital signs and other patient information, and may involve drawing and collecting blood samples and preparing specimens or swabs for laboratory analysis. The Medical Assistant coordinates patient flow, appointments, procedures, tests, and referrals; may triage phone calls and call in non-narcotic prescriptions as directed by a provider; and communicates frequently with patients and families. The role also supports clinic regulatory and compliance needs and works under close supervision of the physician and clinic manager. Responsibilities include providing patient care, coordinating care, supporting quality and safety initiatives, and helping maintain clinical excellence and regulatory compliance. The Medical Assistant documents patient visits, administers waived tests and medications as authorized, prepares and maintains exam rooms, assists with minor procedures, and provides basic clinical care to patients of all age groups. The role coordinates diagnostic testing and follow-up, communicates results and treatment changes as instructed, and responds to patient and family questions. The position also helps monitor regulatory processes and documentation standards, track and order vaccines, medications, and supplies, audit medical records, and orient new team members as needed. Other duties may include clerical support and participation in clinic, job-site, and community health events.

Requirements

Completion of a medical assistant program or one year of experience in a clinical capacity.
High school diploma or equivalent.
Computer literacy, including proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, electronic health records, and other software programs.
Current BLS certification is required.

Responsibilities

Identify patients before interactions and protect confidential patient health information in accordance with HIPAA and organizational policies.
Complete and accurately document patient visit notes, including relevant history, vital signs, immunizations, allergies, medications, and wellness information as directed.
Administer and document waived testing under physician supervision.
Prepare, stock, and clean exam rooms and maintain patient-care supplies and equipment.
Prepare and administer medications according to provider orders and organizational policies.
Assist physicians with minor surgical procedures and obtain, handle, and process specimens and cultures appropriately.
Provide basic clinical care to patients of all age groups according to the clinical skills checklist.
Coordinate patient flow, schedules, and wait times to support physician efficiency.
Instruct patients and families about diagnostic procedures, medications, nutrition, and health and wellness using approved materials.
Retrieve and send patient health information to authorized individuals in accordance with HIPAA and organizational policies.
Notify patients of test results, medication changes, and other treatment-plan changes as instructed by the practitioner, within 48 hours of test results.
Call medication prescriptions into pharmacies as ordered by the physician or practitioner and according to organizational policies.
Coordinate diagnostic testing and communicate with other healthcare providers about patient care.
Respond appropriately to patient and family questions and concerns.
Follow corporate compliance procedures, accrediting standards, ethical and religious directives, safety requirements, quality assurance standards, and infection-control procedures.
Understand chemical hazards and access to MSDS information; respond appropriately to emergencies and document events in the electronic safety system.
Participate in quality-improvement work, including gathering and trending data and supporting process changes.
Use equipment, supplies, facilities, and other resources prudently and efficiently.
Take personal responsibility for continuing education and professional development.
Work with other medical assistants to support compliance and competency in documentation standards.
Assist with regulatory oversight, including daily, weekly, and monthly log monitoring and measuring clinic compliance.
Count and order private and VFC vaccines, medications, and clinical supplies.
Assist with medical-record audits and work with the manager or supervisor on documentation-improvement strategies.
Provide training and orientation to new team members on clinic policies, procedures, and workflows as needed.
Work with health information management to provide clinical documentation needed for audits.
Seek ways to support practice operations, including clerical duties as needed.
Support practice activities such as the annual Flu Clinic, job-site projects, and community health events.
Assist with clerical tasks such as answering phones, filing and preparing charts, processing referrals, maintaining referral databases, verifying benefits, and coordinating patient paperwork.