Medical Assistant 3

Under supervision of the Practice Supervisor/Manager, guided by policies and procedures of the Ambulatory Services, and in collaboration with the Clinical Nursing Staff, the Hospital Assistant 3 assists in the delivery of care to patients in Pulmonary and Sleep. Work includes a variety of personal care and clinical procedures including assuring positive care outcomes. S/he will perform assigned patient care and review of systems data collection in support of the specialty care services provided to patients within the practices. S/he will perform assigned patient care and laboratory procedures in support of the specialty care services provided to patients. S/he is required to adhere to the Telephone and House Standards as adopted by the Medical Center. Work also includes mentoring of staff to promote development of skills to the mentee

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Clinical 70%

1. Performs routine clinical functions and documents in patient chart, including but not limited to vital signs, height, weight, pain screening and documentation of chief complaints.

2. Documents use of interpreter as appropriate. Work with interpreting services to facilitate interpreter participation for medical appointments in person, by phone, or by video (if available).

3. Assists nurses and providers and patients in preparation for exam and/or procedures.

4. Assist with procedures in department if needed

5. Assists with medication review by helping patients to update and review their medication list

6. Assists with abstraction of medical information updating providers with status

7. Assists patients with completion of clinical research forms

8. Enters data points accurately and correctly into flowcharts for patient's visit

9. Assists in reviewing labs required by provider are in the patient's profile and ready for provider's visit, if not, proceeds in calling facility for labs to be sent to office

10. Enters data download/ uploads data into Apex

11. Successfully completes all appropriate competencies to perform or assist with procedures as required for department specialty and determined by the Manager and Administrative Director.

12. Supports providers in managing and reviewing in basket messages

13. Acts as chaperone as needed for medical providers.

14. Works as an internal float for department as requested by supervisor - covering other department needs while supporting clinical functions.

15. Transports patients as directed and ensures their safety.

16. Monitors patient flow in and out of the clinic.

17. Participates in updating mandatory logs

18. Assists with monthly clinical surveys and chart audits

19. Facilitates referrals to other providers as ordered by the physician.

20. Performs clinical activities in an accurate and timely manner.

21. Assists physician staff in writing and sending out patient communications.

22. Serves as a mentor for incoming staff by providing knowledge and resources for success.

23. Complies with all Ambulatory Services and Medical Center policies and procedures for infection control, safety, administrative and clinical practice. Complies with activities mandated by TJC/Title 22.

24. Completion of annual competency testing

25. Ensures all medication cabinets are secured at all times and supplies are adequate for clinic function

26. Communicating and coordinating care within the team of providers and support staff relevant patient issues

27. Reviews clinical information to request prior authorizations for specialty medications

28. Preliminary review of incoming referrals for necessary information to submit to clinician for review

29. Process prior auth for medications

30. Working with nurses/providers, appeals denials for medications/procedures by providing additional clinical information

31. Process DME orders and work closely DME companies/Reps to ensure completion

32. Reviews AVS/checklist/treatment plans with patients as directed by providers

33. Participates in daily and end of day huddles to review clinic flow

34. Works with clinical team to manage in basket messages

35. Using appropriate disease specific check list, prepares new patient referrals for clinical review

36. Using approved check list, reviews patient education information with patient for biologic therapy

37. Familiarity with clinical research and assist researchers in preparing patients for visits

Registration, Scheduling and Insurance Management 10%

1. May support and coordinate scheduling of: 1) outpatient clinic visits 2) outpatient procedures for multiple providers and services. Ensures all visits are scheduled within clinical appropriate timeframe to ensure patient safety and timely patient care.

2. Registers patients in person or by telephone before initial appointment. Updates patient information for returning patients by following practice established accuracy and performance standards.

3. Communicates Medical Center financial policies clearly to patients, answering simple patient account questions, knowing when to refer patients to Financial Counseling for additional help.

4. Ensures that data entries are accurate and timely for registration and scheduling according to medical center and departmental policies. Ensures accuracy of PCP/Referring provider entry and maintain HIPAA

5. May coordinate providers' clinic schedules and book appropriate clinic visits and outpatient procedures. Interfaces with patients and physicians to ensure adequate communication regarding all aspects of clinic visits and outpatient procedures.

6. Obtain and verify patient insurance eligibility.

7. Correctly identifies and selects appropriate insurance plan(s). Interacts with patient, insurance companies and staff accordingly to ensure clinical services in clinic are authorized for visit.

8. May provide administrative support for providers including ensuring correspondence; clinical, financial, and administrative documentation is processed accurately and timely. Responds to telephone and email inquiries related to clinical services within a 24-48 hour time frame (urgent inquiries will be addressed on the same business day) and assists caller(s), or appropriately

Communication 20%

1. Demonstrates courtesy, common sense and follow through in all telephone communications, maintaining the Medical Center Telephone Standards.

2. Ensures a professional and helpful working environment by upholding the House Standards as adopted by the Medical Center.

3. Notifies providers of patient delays and service issues. Acts as an advocate for patients by helping to facilitate provider punctuality to maintain optimal clinic schedules.

4. Communicates provider delays to front office team and makes regular announcements to patients in waiting room or exam room as needed when delays are over 30 minutes.

5. Shares pertinent information and observations with other health team members.

6. Identifies and communicates problems to the nursing staff or appropriate supervisor.

7. Offers suggestions for change or improvement in clinic/practice operations.

8. Assists patients with issues and complaints utilizing conflict management skills.

9. Utilizes Electronic Health Record (APeX) for documentation within the scope of practice of a Hospital Assistant which may include but not limited to:

a. Documentation of vital signs, height, weight and pain scale.

b. Enter patient chief complaint and history (i.e. tobacco/family hx/ med/surg/social).

c. Enter patient reported medications and allergies.

d. Order & sign POCT with signed protocol.

e. Documentation of point of care test results.

f. Enter & "pend" scripted orders from provider.

g. Open a Medication Refill Encounter for provider.

h. Open telephone encounters.

i. Reviews and responds appropriately to staff messages in a timely fashion

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Operations Maintenance 10%

1. Maintains clean, well-stocked exam rooms Responsible for keeping inventory of medical supplies

2. Coordinates meal and rest periods with other Hospital Assistants and ensures coverage of clinic under direction of supervisor/manager.

3. Maintains supply standards as directed by nursing staff or appropriate supervisor.

4. Adheres to infection control procedures as outlined in the Infection Control Manual.

5. Adheres to the Ambulatory Services policy and procedures for the cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing of equipment.

6. Participates in various QI and Customer Service initiatives such as wait time studies, outcome data collection from different improvement processes

REQUIRED QUALIFICATION

1. Certification from an approved Medical Assistant program or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

2. Minimum of 1year of recent experience as a Medical Assistant in an outpatient setting.

3. Experience pending medication refill requests and initiating, submitting, tracking, and following up on medication prior authorizations (PAs) with insurance payers.

4. Experience DME coordination

5. Experience using an electronic medical record (EMR) and performing chart abstraction.

6. Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

7. Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

8. Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.

9. Excellent organizational, prioritization, multitasking, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to adapt to changing priorities.

10. Ability to maintain regular and reliable attendance consistent with the operational needs of the department.

• Current American Heart Association CPR certification

REQUIRED QUALIFICATION

1. Certification from an approved Medical Assistant program or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

2. Minimum of 1year of recent experience as a Medical Assistant in an outpatient setting.

3. Experience pending medication refill requests and initiating, submitting, tracking, and following up on medication prior authorizations (PAs) with insurance payers.

4. Experience DME coordination

5. Experience using an electronic medical record (EMR) and performing chart abstraction.

6. Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

7. Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

8. Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.

9. Excellent organizational, prioritization, multitasking, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to adapt to changing priorities.

10. Ability to maintain regular and reliable attendance consistent with the operational needs of the department.

• Current American Heart Association CPR certification