Medical Assistant

Yale New Haven Health•Fairfield, CT

About The Position

The Medical Assistant assists physicians and other providers with patient care, patient rooming, and clerical, environmental, and organizational tasks. The role includes scheduling appointments, managing patient charts, and providing information that helps patients use and benefit from the practice’s services. The Medical Assistant is expected to convey a positive image of the practice and support YNHHS’s 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 or 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, caring attitude and 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 position requirements and foster positive interactions.

Nice To Haves

Certification or registration as a CCMA, CMA, AAMA, or RMA; this 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, and accompany patients to exam or procedure rooms.
Prepare patients for visits, including obtaining vital signs and other relevant measurements or tests, collecting specimens or performing phlebotomy when applicable, and documenting patient histories, problem lists, and medications in EPIC.
Perform screenings according to physician or provider guidelines and assist with procedures.
Obtain pre-authorizations when necessary and convey instructions, resources, and referrals to patients and families as directed.
Maintain patient records, routinely manage and 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 laboratory, radiology, hospital, and referral information, and complete forms or requisitions.
Cross-train on front desk duties, including greeting patients and visitors, answering calls, scheduling appointments, and maintaining or scanning records.
Set up instruments and equipment, follow infection-control principles, clean rooms and equipment between visits, maintain sterilizer documentation when applicable, and order and store supplies.
Protect patient autonomy, confidentiality, and dignity; support timely and accurate provider billing; and maintain knowledge of practice policies, HIPAA, coding, OSHA, and CLIA requirements where applicable.
Respond promptly to patient issues, report problems to the supervisor, work with the Care Coordinator on Patient Centered Medical Home initiatives, and participate in staff meetings.
Collaborate on health promotion and disease prevention programs, quality improvement and evaluation activities, and initiatives that support ongoing education and continuous improvement.
Advocate for vulnerable individuals and populations and interact effectively and professionally with people from diverse backgrounds and with varied abilities.
Coordinate patient and family feedback activities and participate in interventions addressing identified needs.
Assist with or perform chaperone duties for medical procedures as needed and perform other duties as required.