Medical Office Assistant

Tenet Healthcare•Detroit, MI

About The Position

Under general supervision and according to established policies and procedures, the Medical Office Assistant performs Medical Assistant and Patient Services Assistant duties for an assigned area. The role supports patient care and office operations by greeting and registering patients, answering and directing calls, verifying insurance benefits and copays, collecting and posting payments, and scheduling appointments and procedures. The assistant prepares patient charts and examination rooms, helps physicians or physician extenders during examinations, takes and documents vital signs, and may perform specified clinical procedures. Additional duties include maintaining medical records, assisting with billing records, preparing laboratory slips and statistical data, typing correspondence, and training new personnel. The position follows applicable policies and procedures and participates in safety training, including CPR and annual safety training. Children’s Hospital of Michigan is an international leader in pediatric and adolescent medicine, offering surgical, imaging, emergency, trauma, burn, critical care, rehabilitation, and neonatal and perinatal services at its hospital locations and ambulatory sites.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Graduation from a school of practical nursing, or completion of a PCA/PCT program, Nurse Assistant program or equivalent training, Medical Assistant program, EMT training, or a phlebotomy training program; alternatively, six months of experience in a doctor’s office or related area performing Medical Assistant duties.
Analytical ability to handle patient problems, review and verify insurance information, research billing problems, and compile statistical data.
Interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with patients, physicians, and other personnel.
Technical knowledge of blood pressure techniques.
One year of previous experience performing Medical Assistant or Patient Care Associate duties.
One year of previous experience performing medical office clerical duties, such as insurance verification, authorizations, medical billing, or EMR usage, in a doctor’s office or related area.

Nice To Haves

Six months of direct patient care experience is preferred.
Medical Assistant certification is preferred.

Responsibilities

Greet visitors, answer telephones, and direct calls and visitors to the appropriate place or person.
Register patients for outpatient services and obtain demographic, insurance, and related information according to policies and procedures.
Contact insurance providers to determine benefit levels and patient copays as needed.
Collect and post payments and prepare daily deposits.
Pull and prepare patient charts before appointments; file notes, prescriptions, face sheets, and other documentation in medical records.
Copy and release medical record information as needed.
Prepare examination rooms and assist physicians with patient examinations, including helping move or position patients and handling instruments.
Take and document vital signs, including temperature, blood pressure, and weight, and record the patient’s reason for the visit.
May perform non-intravenous injections, venipuncture, EKGs, stress-test assistance, routine x-rays, PFTs, and related activities.
Obtain referrals and schedule patient appointments or procedures according to guidelines.
Enter, review, research, and correct computerized patient billing records; provide the billing company with copies of payments and rejections.
Perform support duties such as preparing laboratory slips or statistical data, typing correspondence, and training new personnel.
Follow policies and procedures to meet applicable JCAHO/OSHA safety standards and participate in safety training, including CPR and annual safety training.