Medical Assistant - Ambulatory

FMOLHS•Gonzales, LA

About The Position

The Medical Assistant assists with patient examinations and treatment under the direction of a physician and works under close supervision of the physician and clinic manager. The role interviews patients, obtains vital signs, records information in patient charts, and may collect blood samples and prepare 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; communicates with patients and families; and assists with clinic regulatory and compliance needs. The position provides clinical and administrative support across patient care, care coordination, quality, regulatory compliance, and clinic operations. Duties include documenting visits, administering medications and waived tests under appropriate supervision, preparing examination rooms, assisting with minor procedures, coordinating test results and prescriptions, maintaining records and supplies, supporting audits and quality initiatives, and assisting with clerical duties and community health activities.

Requirements

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

Responsibilities

Identify patients by requesting their name and date of birth before interactions and protect confidential health information in accordance with HIPAA.
Complete and document patient visit notes, including relevant medical history, vital signs, immunizations, allergies, medications, and health and wellness information as directed.
Accurately and safely administer and document waived testing under the direct supervision of a physician.
Prepare, stock, and clean examination rooms and maintain patient-care supplies and equipment.
Prepare and administer medications according to physician or physician assistant orders and organizational policies.
Assist physicians with minor surgical procedures and obtain, handle, and process specimens and cultures appropriately.
Provide basic clinical care measures to patients of all age groups as outlined in the clinical skills checklist.
Coordinate patient flow, schedules, and wait times to support physician efficiency.
Instruct patients and families on diagnostic procedures, medications, nutrition, and health and wellness using approved materials.
Retrieve and send patient health information to authorized individuals in a timely manner and 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 health care providers regarding patient care.
Respond appropriately to questions and concerns from patients and families.
Follow corporate compliance procedures, accrediting standards, ethical and religious directives, safety policies, quality assurance requirements, and infection-control standards.
Recognize potential chemical hazards, access MSDS information, take appropriate action during emergencies, and document events in the electronic safety system.
Participate in quality improvement initiatives, including gathering and trending data and supporting process changes.
Use equipment, supplies, facilities, and 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 oversight of regulatory processes by monitoring logs and measuring clinic compliance on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis.
Count and order private and VFC vaccines, medications, and clinical supplies.
Assist with medical-record audits and work with managers or supervisors on documentation improvement strategies.
May train and orient new team members on clinic policies, procedures, and workflows.
Work with health information management to provide clinical documentation for audits.
Support overall practice operations, including clerical duties as needed.
Support practice activities such as the annual Flu Clinic, job-site projects, and community health events.
May answer phones, file and prepare charts, check in and out referrals, maintain referral databases, verify and confirm benefits, and coordinate paperwork for patient needs.