Summary of Primary Function/General Purpose of Position
The Medical Assistant is a multi-skilled clinical professional that provides indirect and/or direct patient care within the scope of practice and in alignment with the standards of excellence and quality. Under the direction of the provider, the Medical Assistant contributes to the completion of the patient’s chief complaint (including, but not limited, to respirations, blood pressure, pulse oximetry, height, weight, and temperature), documents patient/family needs, participates in planning and implementing care for patients, and administers ordered medications (oral, injection, topically, etc.) within the Medical Assisting scope and state guidelines.

Essential Job Functions

• Understands and adheres to the legal responsibilities and requirements within the Medical Assistant role.
• Identifies significant changes in patient condition through data collection and reports them to the provider.
• Troubleshoots issues and escalate problems to provider, direct supervisor, or appropriate internal resource.
• Demonstrates standards of excellence in care in all interactions, for both internal and external customers.
• Maintains clinical and administrative skills per the departmental competency guidelines to meet patient care and daily operational needs.
• Show patients to examination rooms and prepare them for the physician.
• Travels to other facilities for BSMH providers or adjusts hours to meet patient care needs as directed by the practice manager as needed.
• Maintains a safe and supportive environment by keeping the work area, exam rooms, and equipment in clean, orderly, and safe manner, ensuring availability and proper functioning of supplies and equipment.
• Assists patient and provider with virtual health visits which may include setting up the visit through appropriate platform, pre-charting the virtual visit prior to the scheduled appointment, contacting the patient to ensure preparedness for the virtual visit, troubleshooting virtual visit issues when needed, obtaining chief complaint and health maintenance checks, medication review, and other relevant patient details prior to the actual virtual visit.
• Documents in electronic medical records (EMR) accurately and appropriately.
• Manages in basket messages in the electronic health record (EHR) under the Provider’s verbatim instructions.
• Performs front desk workflows (i.e., My Chart requests, patient registration, scheduling, phone triage, cash handling, and check-in/check-out).
• Follows up on orders, appointments, referrals, and follow up visits and collects co-pays as needed.
• Other duties include, but not limited to, ordering supplies appropriately, tracking referrals, labs and diagnostic tests, disposing of contaminated supplies, etc.

This document is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, or working conditions associated with the job. Employees may be required to perform other job-related duties as required by their supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodation.

Licensing/Certification
Medical Assisting certification (required within 14 months of placement in MA role): Certified Medical Assistant (American Association of Medical Assisting), Registered Medical Assistant (American Medical Technologists), Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (National Healthcareer Association, or National Certified Medical Assistant (National Center for Competency Testing). If incumbent is unable to obtain MA certification, an Assessment-Based Recognition in Order Entry (ABR-OE) is acceptable within same time period.
BLS Basic Life Support (preferred upon hire, required within 90 days of hire)

Education
High School/GED (required)

Work Experience
1 year of healthcare experience (preferred)
2 years of clerical physician practice experience (preferred)

Training
None

Skills

• Record patients' medical history, vital statistics, or information such as test results in medical records.
• Interview patients to obtain medical information and measure their vital signs, weight, and height.
• Prepare and administer medications as directed by a physician.
• Collect blood, tissue, or other laboratory specimens, log the specimens, and prepare them for testing.
• Provide authorized prescription and drug refill information for pharmacies as directed by provider.
• Explain treatment procedures, medications, diets, or physicians' instructions to patients.
• Clean and sterilize instruments and dispose of contaminated supplies.
• Perform routine laboratory tests and sample analyses.
• Perform general office duties, such as answering telephones, taking dictation, or completing insurance forms.
• Successfully completes skills or competency checklists to be able to help physicians examine and treat patients, performing such tasks as handing them instruments, giving injections, removing sutures, changing dressings on wounds.
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Ability to collaboratively work with patients, families, and teams within a high-volume environment.
• Medical terminology
• Attention to detail
• Ability to multitask
• Ability to use standard office equipment (i.e. computer, copier, phone, fax machine)

Working Conditions
Periods of high stress and fluctuating workloads may occur
May be exposed to physical altercations and verbal abuse
May be exposed to adverse weather conditions; cold, hot, dust, wind, etc.
May be exposed to limited hazardous substances or body fluids*
May be exposed to human blood and other potentially infectious materials*
May have periods of constant interruptions
General office environment
Required to car travel to off-site locations, occasionally in adverse weather conditions

• Individuals in this position are required to exercise universal precautions, use personal protective equipment and devices, and learn the policies concerning infection control.

Physical Requirements
Lifting/Carrying (0-50 lbs.) 1-33%
Lifting/Carrying (50-100 lbs.) 1-33%
Push/Pull (0-50 lbs.) 1-33%
Push/Pull (50-100 lbs.) 1-33%
Stoop/Kneel 1-33%
Crawling 1-33%
Climbing 1-33%
Balance 1-33%
Bending 1-33%
Sitting 34-66%
Walking 34-66%
Standing 34-66%

Additional Physical Requirements/Hazards
Manual dexterity (eye/hand coordination)
Maneuver weight of patients
Hear alarms/telephone/audio recorder
Reach above shoulder
Repetitive arm/hand movements
Finger Dexterity
Color Vision
Acuity - far
Acuity - near
Depth perception
Use of latex products
Exposure to toxic/caustic/chemicals/detergents
Exposure to moving mechanical parts
Exposure to dust/fumes
Exposure to x ray/electromagnetic energy

Patient Population
Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his or her assigned unit.
Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development of the life span and possesses the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interprets the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his or her age, specific needs and to provide the care needed as described in departmental policies and procedures.
Neonates (0-4 weeks)
Infant (1-12 months)
Pediatrics (1-12 years)
Adolescents (13-17 years)
Adults (18-64 years)
Geriatrics (65 years and older)