Medical Assistant - Correctional Health

Parkland Health

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Medical Assistant is an integral member of the medical home team, providing direct patient care and administrative and clinical support to physicians, mid-level providers, nurses, and other medical staff under physician direction. The role reports to the nurse manager or designee, who provides administrative supervision and orientation to area policies and procedures. The Medical Assistant obtains vital signs, performs preventive screenings, maintains supplies, supports safe and efficient patient flow, tracks high-risk referrals and lab tests, facilitates safe transitions of care, and helps maintain a safe practice environment and quality health outcomes. The position also contributes to HEDIS and designated quality measures and is expected to communicate effectively and work within the scope of practice. The role includes administrative coordination, patient preparation and assessment, assistance with office procedures and specimen collection, and adherence to infection-control, safety, and laboratory quality-control procedures. The Medical Assistant may administer unit-dose medications under a delegating physician’s direction after completing competencies and obtaining a signed Physician-MA delegation form. The position is full-time, scheduled 3:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., at Lew Sterret Jail, and may require travel to other locations as assigned.

Requirements

Completion of training through an accredited Medical Assistant training program.
Current healthcare provider BLS for Healthcare Providers certification within 90 days of hire and/or placement, from the American Heart Association, American Red Cross Rescuer, or Military Training Network.
Ability to demonstrate basic patient-care skills and skill in using supplies and assigned equipment.
Ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, and PHHS staff.
Ability to demonstrate patient-centered and patient-valued behaviors.

Responsibilities

Review daily appointment schedules with relevant staff and develop a plan for patient care activities.
Obtain external medical and immunization records before appointments and forward clinical information to internal or external specialty services in a timely manner.
Process lab letters, phone calls, prescription refill requests, referrals, and forms; obtain prior authorizations for medications, referrals, and tests as required by insurance.
Track labs and referrals, scan and index appropriate documents, and document patient communications according to EHR standards.
Collaborate with the team to accommodate same-day requests, checks, and responses; check and respond to email and pools daily.
Keep the work area stocked with current forms for daily work and computer downtime, and use required computer systems proficiently.
Prepare and assess patients for visits; obtain vital signs and perform preventive screenings.
Keep exam rooms neat, clean, and stocked according to infection-control standards.
Observe, record, and report patient responses to care provided during appointments.
Assist with office procedures and specimen collection.
Follow infection-control and hand-hygiene guidelines during patient care activities.
Recognize and follow Joint Commission safety policies; promptly report safety concerns through the established chain of command.
Perform Environmental of Care and laboratory quality-control duties according to policy.
Travel to other locations as assigned and cross-cover coworkers during training, meetings, lunch, or as needed within scope, competency, and education.
Participate constructively in employee engagement, patient satisfaction, performance improvement, departmental, and committee activities; share ideas and best practices to improve workflow.
Complete required training by its due date.
Administer unit-dose medications under a delegating physician’s direction when departmental requirements are met, including successful competency completion and a signed Physician-MA delegation form.
Identify opportunities to improve work processes and customer satisfaction; make recommendations, implement changes, and monitor results as appropriate.
Stay current with developments and trends in the field and integrate relevant knowledge into work practices.
Maintain knowledge of applicable rules, regulations, policies, laws, and guidelines; develop effective internal controls and seek guidance as needed to support compliance.