Medical Assistant

SouthCoast Health•Pooler, GA

15h

About The Position

SouthCoast Health is seeking a full-time, float Medical Assistant for its Pooler location. The Medical Assistant supports providers with patient care and clerical and organizational tasks, manages patient flow, appointment scheduling, and charts, and helps patients understand and use clinic services. The role is responsible for creating a caring environment centered on patients and families and promoting a positive image of the clinic. Duties include preparing patients and charts for appointments and procedures; obtaining and documenting vital signs, histories, medication reconciliation, and care observations; maintaining complete electronic health records; coordinating preventive services and follow-up care; and managing outstanding EHR tasks. The Medical Assistant also responds to patient questions, coordinates medication matters and prior authorizations, schedules tests and specialist visits, completes paperwork and orders, and supports billing processes. Clinical duties include maintaining exam rooms and work areas, administering immunizations and injections, performing venipunctures and other specimen and laboratory functions, and performing EKGs as ordered. The role provides patient education and participates in code training and emergency response, including CPR, airway management, medication administration, and evacuation procedures when needed. The position is primarily in a clinical setting and may involve exposure to infectious materials or contagious diseases. Hepatitis B screening and initial and annual TB screening/testing are required. The role involves standing and walking for extended periods, occasional lifting and carrying of items up to 20 pounds, frequent talking, hearing, eye-hand coordination and keyboarding, and occasional stooping, lifting, grasping, pushing or pulling, and grip-strength activities. Patient information must be kept strictly confidential and accessed only for job responsibilities. Applicants selected for employment are subject to pre-employment drug testing.

Requirements

High school graduate or equivalent.
For employees hired after September 1, 2008: graduation from an accredited Medical Assisting training program, military Medical Assistant training (DD214), or EMT-A or paramedic qualification is required.
An exception to the training-program requirement may be considered for individuals with national certification in medical assisting and at least two years of medical assisting experience, following the specified evaluation and approvals.
For employees hired before September 1, 2008 who are not graduates of an accredited Medical Assisting training program: at least one year of medical-assisting experience in a physician’s office or other clinical facility is required.
For employees hired after September 1, 2008: one year of medical-assistant experience in a physician’s office or other clinical facility is recommended but not required.
Pass initial clinical skills competencies and initial and annual medication proficiency examinations with a score of 80% or better.
Maintain current BLS/CPR certification.
Knowledge of the healthcare field and medical terminology.
Ability to perform assistance tasks appropriately and use a computer.
Communication, tact, and customer-service skills.
Professionalism when interacting with personnel, patients, and patients’ families; clear communication; ability to learn and retain patient-care procedures; follow provider and nursing staff directions; show compassion; and handle multiple tasks flexibly.
Complete initial Hepatitis B screening and initial and annual TB screening/testing.
Maintain strict confidentiality of patient information and access records only as required for job duties.
Be able to perform essential job functions, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Nice To Haves

For employees hired before September 1, 2008: graduation from an accredited training program with proper certification in medical terminology is preferred.
For employees hired after September 1, 2008: one year of medical-assistant experience in a physician’s office or other clinical facility is recommended.

Responsibilities

Create a caring, patient- and family-centered care environment and promote excellent patient satisfaction.
Manage patient flow and coordinate with coworkers to ensure clinical services are provided on the date of service.
Prepare patient charts by reviewing relevant medical records and ensuring the EHR chart is complete before closing.
Prepare patients for examinations and special procedures.
Obtain and record vital signs, interview patients about current needs and relevant history, reconcile medications, and document findings and care activities.
Identify and remind patients and families about needed preventive services, such as immunizations, wellness screenings, and laboratory work.
Update plans of care and document care coordination and interventions, including quality-improvement measures.
Manage outstanding EHR tasks, alerts, and pending patient-care actions accurately and promptly.
Respond to patient inquiries and concerns about care, medication instructions, and prescription call-ins; communicate with pharmacies about medication matters and assist with prior authorizations.
Schedule laboratory work and specialist visits, complete necessary paperwork, enter lab orders, verify and update patient data, and complete provider orders promptly.
Help patients complete paperwork as needed.
Maintain clean work areas and prepare, clean, and stock examination rooms while following safety guidelines.
Administer immunizations and injections after reviewing immunization records, schedules, potential allergic reactions, side effects, and treatments.
Perform venipunctures, capillary punctures, specimen collection, preparation and testing, other requested laboratory functions, and EKGs as ordered.
Promote wellness by providing educational materials and communicating physicians’ advice and self-care instructions.
Participate in code team training and initiate appropriate emergency procedures, including CPR, airway management, medication administration, and fire evacuation coordination.