Medical Assistant

Job Description

Job DescriptionDescription:

SUMMARY: The Medical Assistant is responsible for direct care provided to hematology and oncology patients and for contributing to efficient operations in the patient care environment. Direct patient care activities include but are not limited to obtaining vital signs, assisting with ambulation, providing injections, obtaining blood specimens and assisting nursing and medical staff in performing invasive procedures, such as bone marrow aspirates and lumbar punctures. Indirect patient care activities include those that support clinic operations such as ordering and stocking clinical supplies and patient education materials, transporting patients and specimens as needed, communicating results to patients and monitoring the environment of care. The position requirements include organizational skills with attention to detail, thoroughness, practical decision-making, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to team work. The Mission, Vision and Core Values of the New Hampshire Oncology Hematology, PA (NHOH) are incorporated into all areas of practice.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Job family functions vary and may range in autonomy and complexity based on position level. Essential functions of this family may include:

• Providing general patient care
• Obtaining accurate vital signs
• Assisting with procedures (bone marrow, suture removal, pap smear, etc…)
• Coordination of daily medical assistant assignments in collaboration with the Lead MA or Office Manager
• Determine repair needs of equipment and or future equipment needs.
• Ordering medical supplies as needed to support clinical areas
• Providing results to patients (under direction of provider)
• May include administrative support of clinical functions such as assisting with medical record procurement, entering orders in EMR, etc…

A. Establishes rapport with patient and families from a variety of cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds.

1. Communicates patient and family difficulties or concerns to appropriate staff.
2. Maintains patient safety, privacy, confidentiality and follows guidelines under HIPAA.
3. Provides care based on age-specific needs of patient.
4. Involves interpreter services as necessary, which may include telephone translation line, in-person interpreter or interpretation devices.

B. Delivers direct patient care.

1. Greets patients and families promptly in a welcoming and courteous manner.
2. Follows NHOH policy when treating and greeting patients by verbally confirming patients’ two identifiers.
3. Responds promptly and courteously to requests for assistance by patients, families, visitors and staff. Provides clear and accurate information.
4. Assists patients as needed responding to special needs such as wheelchairs, etc.
5. Obtains and records vital signs, pain screen, weights, and heights accurately. Reports changes and/or abnormalities in vital signs, unusual findings and changes in patient’s conditions to the medical staff in a timely manner.
6. Reviews and updates medications in the EMR and any other clinically pertinent info as directed by Administration.
7. Obtains specimens (urine, stool, sputum, etc.) and/or instructs patients/family members in collecting specimens.
8. Assists patients requiring ambulation assistance.
9. Provides influenzas vaccines to patients as directed by provider (for those that have passed injection competency only).
10. Assists nursing and medical staff with procedures as requested. Obtains vital signs before and after each procedure and gathers appropriate paperwork.
11. Collaborates with the nursing and medical staff in preparing the patient and family for procedures and treatments through verbal explanation, emotional support and sharing educational materials.
12. Communicates test results to patients via phone as directed by provider and documents discussion in patient EMR.

C. Performs activities related to efficient clinic operations and patient flow.

1. Transports patients, specimens, blood components, equipment and supplies in accordance with NHOH policy.
2. Manages room assignments in order to maintain patient flow. Ability to strategize the day’s workload and make recommendations to providers and others accordingly. Have ability to manage walk-in patients and wait times when assigning rooms. Partners with providers and other medical assistants to discuss assignments room flow.
3. Assures that all clinical areas have an adequate stock of medical supplies, equipment, and patient education materials. Obtains and orders supplies and equipment when needed.
4. Assures patient areas are clean and well stocked, including cleaning/decontaminating exam rooms and patient bathrooms when urgent clean up is needed.
5. Assures that supplies are adequate, and equipment is in proper working order. Monitors for safety, cleanliness and expiration dates on a daily basis. Ensures supplies are fully stocked throughout the day.
6. Cleans and maintains medical equipment. Notifies appropriate personnel of equipment, supplies, or patient care areas that require cleaning or repairs.
7. Properly identifies patients that require Infection Control precautions and takes appropriate steps. Informs providers and staff of such patients by monitoring patient assignments.
8. Locks all work rooms, medical supplies and medications that are directed to be locked by Administration.
9. Maintains a working knowledge of current computer system used in clinical area and how to access assistance.
10. Understands and utilizes telephone and overhead pager systems including knowledge of calling emergent events that require hospital staff to respons.
11. Answers phones in the exam area and triages as appropriate.
12. Directs patients to appropriate waiting areas, exam rooms, and other patient care areas.
13. Adds on tests and prints laboratory orders as needed and transports specimens to lab when applicable.
14. Communicates appropriate information regarding providers running behind to patients in lobby and check-in staff.

D. Works collaboratively and functions as an effective member of the health care team.

1. Demonstrates respectful and courteous behavior toward peers, co-workers, and visitors.
2. Demonstrates the ability to work collaboratively with peers and coworkers.
3. Maintains flexibility in setting and changing priorities. Adapts to new situations. Accepts additional responsibilities based on the changing needs of patients, families, staff, and the unit.
4. Demonstrates appropriate response to emergency situations.
5. Contributes to the efficient operation of the clinic by using time wisely and taking the initiative to assist others.
6. Attends and participates in staff and department meetings.
7. Contributes to quality improvement efforts. Suggests improvements in procedures, processes and systems.
8. Takes initiative to report problems and suggest solutions and alternatives.

E. Supports Infusion Room Activities (as applicable for those MA staff trained/assigned to this rotation)

1. Obtains and documents vital signs, medication list and allergy list

for nursing only patients in treatment room.

1. Cleans/disinfects infusion chairs in between patients.
2. Obtains linens as needed for patients.
3. Assures supplies in the treatment room are stocked and rotated appropriately.
4. Assists patients ambulating to restroom, exam room or exiting the clinic.
5. Directs patients to vacant infusion chair; assists with patient flow. Notifies RN

when patients arrive.

1. Offers drinks and blankets to patients.
2. Removes full biohazard buckets and replaces with empty containers.
3. Assisting in Code 1 or emergent situations by directing emergency personnel or retrieving supplies.

F. Complies with NHOH policies, procedures, work rules and standards of conduct.

1. Monitors the environment of care with attention to patient safety.
2. Keeps work area neat and well organized. Follows universal precautions, infection control policies and OSHA guidelines.
3. Ensures sharp containers are kept at safe levels and will change immediately when 2/3 full.
4. Adheres to NHOH policies regarding confidentiality and HIPAA
5. Dresses appropriately for assigned work.
6. Uses vacation and sick time appropriately. Requests time off in advance. Notifies supervisor of unscheduled absence in a timely manner.
7. Uses proper body mechanics.
8. Demonstrates cost-effective use of supplies and equipment.
9. Attends mandatory training and education sessions. Takes initiative to become familiar with fire, disaster, infection control and department specific procedures.
10. Meets annual evaluation requirements and competencies within the established time period. Submits written documentation at the time of the annual evaluation.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:

• Obtaining and documenting vital signs
• Demonstrated expertise at procedural duties as well as the skill to critical think of how procedural flow impacts operations.
• Excellent organizational, decision making, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work as an effective member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to function in a busy work setting with patients with complex needs.

WORKING DEMANDS:

Medical Assistant tasks require standing, walking, bending, reaching, lifting and occasional sitting. Lifting tasks are associated with giving assistance to patients who are frail or otherwise require assistance for their exam. Most tasks are performed while standing and require physical stamina and a broad range of motion. The work requires accuracy and frequent mental and visual attention as well as the ability to work quickly

and efficiently. Frequent interruptions, schedule changes and movement between two or more patient exam rooms requires the ability to stay focused, remember information about each patient in the assigned exam room and return to uncompleted tasks. Patient contact requires the ability to listen and respond in a professional and caring manner, especially when patients are stressed or appear to be weakened from their illness and treatment. The ability to balance multiple tasks and any stress associated with the duties and responsibilities of this position are essential requirements in the performance of this job. Clerical tasks require strong organization of work skills, adherence to clinical documentation standards and a clear, legible handwriting. Tasks associated with computer usage require wrist, hand and finger dexterity. Telephone communications listening and speaking skills are required for the time spent in obtaining missing medical reports or testing results. Good hearing and vision is required in the performance of this job, including accuracy in reading handwritten medical information. Works in clinic and office settings with possible exposure to infectious diseases through airborne transmission or contact with blood or body fluids.

Requirements:

EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION

High School Diploma or GED.

Completion of a nursing assistant certification program, (CNA) or medical assistant program.

Experience preferred but not required.

College coursework preferred.

One year of experience in an ambulatory or acute care setting preferred.

Two years of experience in an ambulatory or acute care setting and/or national phlebotomy certification

Obtains and maintains BLS certification through nationally accredited agency/facility.

Excellent computer skills