Medical Assistant

Advocate Health•Cartersville, GA

9d•$22 - $33

About The Position

The Medical Assistant prepares and rooms patients for examinations, obtains vital signs, and documents or updates pertinent health information. The role performs laboratory procedures using aseptic technique and infection-control guidelines, assists providers with procedures and surgeries, and administers medications under provider orders. Within applicable limitations and under clinical supervision, the position may initiate, maintain, and discontinue IV therapy and perform advanced clinical tasks after demonstrating competency. The Medical Assistant provides basic patient education, follows through on procedure and test requests, prescription refills, appointments, and referrals, and directs questions to registered nurses or providers as appropriate. The role communicates and documents patient information accurately and promptly, prepares and maintains examination rooms and work areas, and completes equipment maintenance and quality monitoring. The position also participates in patient-centered initiatives, care management, and performance and quality improvement activities. Care must be appropriate to patients’ age-specific needs and consistent with departmental policies and procedures.

Requirements

Current Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license issued by the state where the team member practices.
Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification from the American Heart Association; certification must be obtained within 45 days unless the department leader determines it is not required.
Completion of an accredited or approved Practical Nursing program.
No experience required.
Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to develop rapport and maintain positive, professional relationships with patients, staff, and physicians.
Strong organization, prioritization, and problem-solving skills.
Proficient computer skills, including keyboarding, navigating a Windows operating system, and using electronic mail; exposure to electronic medical record systems.
Ability to perform the stated physical activities and meet the lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, and patient-transfer requirements.
Functional speech, vision, hearing, and touch, with fine-hand manipulation skills.
Ability to operate equipment essential to the job.

Responsibilities

Prepare and room patients for examinations; obtain vital signs and document or update pertinent health information, including chief complaints, allergies, and medications.
Perform laboratory procedures, such as strep tests, wound cultures, and specimen collection, using aseptic technique and standard precautions and infection-control guidelines.
Assist physicians and other providers with procedures and surgeries, including pelvic exams, allergy scratch testing, EMG, cautery, and colposcopy.
Administer medications under physician or provider orders, including immunizations, antibiotics, pain medications, vitamins, topical agents, and insulin; within limitations, initiate, maintain, and discontinue IV therapy and administer selected fluids with premixed medications.
Provide basic patient education about tasks, skills, treatment, and self-care.
Follow through on procedure and test requests, prescription refills, appointment changes, and referrals; refer questions to registered nurses and providers according to scope-of-practice guidelines and relay information to patients as directed.
Communicate with physicians and other healthcare team members, and document and communicate accurate, timely information about patient conditions.
Perform advanced clinical tasks under clinical supervision after demonstrating competency, such as suture and staple removal, catheterization, audiograms, cultures, drug screens, phlebotomy, EKGs, spirometry, Holter monitor application, casting, and complex wound care.
Organize and prepare examination rooms, laboratories, and work areas by cleaning, stocking, ordering supplies, and maintaining equipment.
Perform patient positioning and transporting duties, including lifting and pushing or pulling, using proper technique.
Complete routine maintenance and quality monitoring of clinic equipment; clean, sterilize, and care for instruments and other equipment using appropriate techniques.
Participate in patient-centered initiatives, care management, and performance and quality improvement activities.
Provide care appropriate to the ages and developmental needs of patients, consistent with departmental policies and procedures.

Benefits

Paid Time Off programs
Medical, dental, vision, life, and short- and long-term disability benefits
Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible healthcare and dependent-care expenses
Adoption assistance and paid parental leave
Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs
Educational Assistance Program
Career development programs
Premium pay, such as shift and on-call pay, based on the teammate's position
Incentive pay for select positions
Opportunity for annual increases based on performance