Medical Assistant - Internal Medicine (Alma)

MyMichigan Health•Alma, MI

About The Position

Under the direct supervision of a provider, the Medical Assistant is responsible for patient assessment and care, maintaining appropriate documentation, and coordinating care to support high-quality, compassionate service. The role requires basic knowledge of specialty and/or primary care and the ability to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate patient care. The Medical Assistant maintains and oversees patients at office locations and serves as a liaison with other organizations and departments. The position may include ordering medical, pharmacy, and office supplies; ensuring compliance with MyMichigan Health policies and procedures, OSHA guidelines, CLIA regulations, and other applicable requirements; and coordinating or training new employees, students, and float staff as needed. The Medical Assistant provides patient education, assists with specialty-care modalities and symptom management, responds to emergencies, monitors high-risk patients’ care management and outcomes, explains prescriptions and potential side effects to patients and families, and coordinates continuity of care with other providers. General office duties may also be performed as needed. Responsibilities may vary somewhat by practice assignment; the immediate supervisor can clarify role-specific duties. The role includes triaging calls, arranging urgent or emergent appointments, receiving and relaying test results, preparing patients for examinations, maintaining accurate records, assisting providers with examinations and procedures, and preparing and cleaning patient areas and equipment. Additional clinical tasks may include injections, minor dressing changes, collecting blood specimens, and assisting with certain diagnostic procedures depending on the practice. A high school diploma or GED is required. Medical Assistant certification is required, as is an active qualifying certification or credential recognized for employment through MyMichigan Health. BLS certification is required within three months of hire or transfer. A Medical Assistant program completed through an accredited organization is preferred. Knowledge of medical office policies, practices, and procedures normally gained through three to five years of work in a health care system or similar setting is required; prior physician-clinic experience is preferred.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Required Medical Assistant certification and an active qualifying certification or licensure, such as RMA through AMT, CMA through AAMA, or an equivalent Medical Assistant credential such as CCMA. Other listed qualifying credentials include Michigan Medical First Responder, EMT Basic/Specialist, Paramedic, or Registered Radiologic Technologist through ARRT.
BLS (Basic Life Support) certification required within three months of hire or transfer.
Knowledge of medical office policies, practices, and procedures normally acquired through three to five years working in a health care system or similar setting.
Excellent interpersonal skills to communicate clearly with individuals and groups and interact with people at all levels.
Ability to demonstrate competency in Microsoft Windows.
Ability to handle multiple tasks, work independently, get along with others, maintain regular and predictable attendance, and stay awake.
Ability to move about the facility with or without an assistive device and perform the job functions described.
Sufficient vision and hearing, with or without assistive devices, and overall dexterity for handling, reaching, grasping, fingering, and feeling.
Ability to wear required personal protective equipment, including latex materials or an appropriate substitute.
Ability to occasionally lift or carry 11–20 pounds and frequently handle 10 pounds; ability to perform frequent walking, standing, and pushing or pulling of arm or leg controls.
Ability to follow bloodborne pathogen and TB testing requirements.

Nice To Haves

Completion of a Medical Assistant program through an accredited organization.
Previous experience in a physician clinic setting.

Responsibilities

Triage calls; schedule daily urgent or emergent add-on appointments; receive and relay test results; and support, direct, and refer patients for consultations, testing, insurance pre-certification, and documentation.
Greet patients and families and perform routine pre-examination procedures, including taking vital signs and assessing and recording objective and subjective information about the presenting condition.
Update and maintain accurate patient records, including order reconciliation and secure messaging when available; reconcile medications, enter allergy reaction types, and process refills within the scope of certification.
Assist providers with examinations and procedures.
Prepare and clean patient areas, set up equipment, facilitate room setup after procedures, dispose of contaminated supplies, and sterilize medical instruments.
Provide patient assessment and care within the scope of practice, including injections, minor dressing changes, and obtaining blood specimens.
Demonstrate competency in assisting with procedures such as EKG, PFT, ABI, or NST when required by the practice.
Maintain a clean and safe environment for patients and coworkers.
Travel to satellite clinics when applicable.
Use office computer systems and programs, including MAPS, MCIR Practice Management, Electronic Medical Records, LIS, Emageon, dictation systems, and other necessary applications.
Apply critical thinking to patient management and maintain confidentiality and patient rights in accordance with procedures and HIPAA.
Perform clerical duties as requested, such as completing insurance forms, correspondence, arranging hospital admissions, answering telephones, and updating or filing medical records.
Order supplies and medications.
Document and code information accurately in the medical record according to policy; participate in annual quality and completeness reviews as necessary.
Address the age-specific needs of the population served according to department standards and policies.
Coordinate care and continuity with other providers, educate patients and families about medications and side effects, and monitor care management for high-risk patients.
Comply with applicable MyMichigan Health policies, OSHA training requirements, CLIA regulations, bloodborne pathogen procedures, and TB testing requirements.
Coordinate and train new employees, students, and float staff as required.
Perform other related duties as assigned and participate in further learning opportunities offered by MyMichigan Health.