Medical Assistant - Urgent Care - Galvez

FMOLHS•Prairieville, LA

About The Position

The Medical Assistant assists with patient examinations and treatment under the direction of a physician. The role includes interviewing patients; obtaining and recording vital signs and other health information; collecting blood samples and preparing specimens or swabs for laboratory analysis when required; coordinating patient flow, appointments, procedures, tests, and referrals; and communicating with patients and families. The Medical Assistant also supports regulatory and compliance needs of the clinic and works under the close supervision of the physician and clinic manager. Responsibilities include providing and documenting patient care, administering waived tests and ordered medications under appropriate supervision, preparing and maintaining examination rooms and supplies, and assisting with minor procedures and specimen handling. The position coordinates care and diagnostic testing, communicates test results and treatment changes as directed, and responds to patient and family questions. It also supports quality improvement, safety, infection control, regulatory compliance, documentation auditing, supply and vaccine inventory, and the training of new team members. Other duties may include clerical support and participation in clinic 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, including skill with Microsoft Outlook, electronic health records, and other software programs.
Current BLS certification is required.

Responsibilities

Verify patient identity before interactions and protect confidential patient health information in accordance with HIPAA.
Accurately complete and document patient visit notes, including relevant histories, vital signs, immunizations, allergies, medications, and wellness information as directed.
Perform 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 to patients of all age groups according to the clinical skills checklist.
Coordinate patient flow, schedules, and wait times to support physician efficiency.
Instruct patients and families about diagnostic procedures, medications, nutrition, and health and wellness using approved materials.
Retrieve and send patient health information to authorized individuals in accordance with HIPAA and organizational policies.
Notify patients of test results, medication changes, and other treatment-plan changes as instructed, within 48 hours of test results.
Call medication prescriptions into pharmacies as ordered and in accordance with organizational policies.
Coordinate ordered diagnostic testing and communicate with other healthcare providers regarding patient care.
Respond appropriately to questions and concerns from patients and families.
Follow corporate compliance procedures, accreditation standards, ethical and religious directives, safety practices, quality assurance requirements, and infection-control standards.
Recognize potential chemical hazards, access MSDS information, respond appropriately to 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 regulatory monitoring by reviewing logs and measuring clinic compliance.
Count and order private and VFC vaccines, medications, and clinical supplies.
Assist with medical-record audits and collaborate with the manager or supervisor on documentation-improvement strategies.
May train and orient new team members on clinic policies, procedures, and workflows.
Work with the health information management department to provide clinical documentation for audits.
Assist with clerical duties and other practice operations as needed.
Support activities such as the annual Flu Clinic, job-site projects, and community health events.
May answer phones, file and prepare charts, process referrals, maintain referral databases, verify benefits, and coordinate paperwork for patient needs.