Medical Assistant

Chambers County Public Hospital•Mont Belvieu, TX

About The Position

The Medical Assistant supports the mission of Chambers Community Health Centers, Inc. by providing care in a clinic environment and working collaboratively with internal and external customers in accordance with CCHC core values. The role may be assigned directly or indirectly to a physician or mid-level provider and provides care under their supervision, or may serve as a Patient Support Navigator. In the Navigator role, the employee participates on the care team by managing referrals, helping communicate results, and requesting consultation notes, follow-up information, and outside test or examination results. Medical Assistants and Navigators help coordinate patient care, support patients and families with self-management, self-efficacy, and behavioral change, and communicate effectively with patients, including vulnerable populations. The role includes collecting and documenting patient information, administering medications and immunizations as directed, conducting tests such as EKGs, communicating reviewed results, managing calls and medication authorizations, maintaining records, coordinating referrals and outside appointments, and supporting patient education and follow-up. The employee maintains clean, stocked, and safe clinic spaces; follows medication handling, documentation, training, customer service, and regulatory requirements; and may perform additional clinic support duties as assigned. The work environment may expose the employee to extreme cold and extreme heat. The position requires frequent bending, keying, reaching, walking, lifting, carrying, tasting, smelling, pushing, and pulling; constant hearing, seeing, speaking, and standing; occasional kneeling and overhead reaching; and does not require climbing. The lifting classification marked in the posting is medium: lifting up to 50 pounds, with frequent lifting or carrying of objects up to 25 pounds.

Requirements

Ability to perform each essential duty satisfactorily, with reasonable accommodations where applicable.
Ability to work independently with limited supervision.
Interpersonal and written and verbal communication skills.
Strong organizational skills, accuracy, and attention to detail.
Ability to meet the job’s physical demands, including the stated medium lifting classification and listed physical activities.
Compliance with applicable local, state, and federal regulations and health center standards.

Responsibilities

Obtain and enter height, weight, vital signs, chief complaint, allergies, medication reconciliation, medical and social histories, and depression screening in the EHR before provider examination.
Administer medications as directed by a provider and observe patients for reactions according to protocol.
Administer outstanding or past-due immunizations, document declinations or valid reasons not to immunize, and scan required forms into the chart.
Perform EKGs as directed.
Communicate test results to patients within one to two business days after provider review and release.
Receive home health and durable medical equipment orders for provider review and arrange services when applicable.
Instruct patients and family members regarding treatments, educational materials, and follow-up care.
Receive, manage, and return phone calls, telephone encounters, and faxes within one to two business days.
Submit and track medication prior authorizations and provide supporting documentation until a denial or determination is confirmed.
Scan outside patient information and test results into the EHR and document results as directed by policy and procedure.
Ensure clinic forms and consents are completed and document all care provided during the visit on the same day.
Complete, scan, and return patient paperwork such as unemployment, workers’ compensation, FMLA, and short-term disability forms within one to two business days.
Maintain the appearance and cleanliness of exam rooms, procedure rooms after use, common areas, and personal workspace between patients and at the end of each day.
Replenish room supplies and linens weekly and as needed, and ensure supplies are current and not expired.
Dispose of contaminated and disposable items according to policy and procedure, including biohazard and sharps disposal.
Handle and store medications properly and report medication waste and expired medications to the Site Supervisor.
Follow quality assurance, compliance, and documentation standards; repeat and document blood pressure manually for readings greater than 140/90.
Complete annual depression screenings for patients over 18 and provide specified education on hypertension, BMI, smoking cessation, immunizations, nutrition, and physical activity.
Ensure clinical decision support alerts are addressed and past-due alerts resolved at each visit.
Manage provider referrals from initiation through pending status and closure; arrange outside tests, examinations, and specialty visits; and obtain and upload outside results and consultation notes when appropriate.
Maintain professional dress and a friendly, efficient, positive customer service attitude, using the Service Excellence model with patients, clients, and guests.
Attend mandatory in-services, annual training, and educational programs appropriate to health center goals and needs.
Follow safety systems and training, OSHA and other applicable regulations, operating standards, business conduct policies, and recordkeeping requirements.
Perform assigned additional duties, which may include light housekeeping, sterilizing instruments, inventorying clinic, vaccine, medication, and sample supplies, sorting and distributing faxes, and covering for absent employees.
Communicate workplace hazards to peers and management and perform other related duties assigned by a manager.