Medical Assistant I – Valley Medical Center – Renton, WA

VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER

Job Description

Clinic Network

The position description is a guide to the critical duties and essential functions of the job, not an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, qualifications, physical demands and work environment conditions. Position descriptions are reviewed and revised to meet the changing needs of the organization.

TITLE: Medical Assistant

ROLE: See job description for Clinical Support Partner for generic job duties.

AREA OF ASSIGNMENT: Clinic network

HOURS OF WORK: Variable

RESPONSIBLE TO: Clinic Manager

PREREQUISITES:

QUALIFICATIONS:

Legal Concepts

• Perform within legal and ethical boundaries

• Document patient communication and clinical treatments accurately and appropriately

• Maintain medical records

• Comply with State, Federal and regulatory agencies

• Demonstrated knowledge and comprehension of Medical Assistant scope and role

• Demonstrated ability to engage and master the scope and role of a MA within a fast-pace environment

• Demonstrated ability to comprehend, execute and act within the limits of MA scope of practice while under the direction of a health care practitioner

• Demonstrated ability to function effectively in an environment where it is necessary to perform several tasks simultaneously, and where interruptions are frequent

• Demonstrate clear understanding of clinic structure and design

Communication

• Neat and well-groomed appearance, business professional

• Recognize and respect cultural diversity

• Demonstrated ability to maintain a calm demeanor at all times

• Employ professional telephone and interpersonal techniques

• Recognize and respond effectively to verbal, nonverbal and written communications

• Receive, organize, prioritize, store and maintain transmittable information utilizing electronic technology

• Serve as a “communication liaison” between the physician and patient

• Demonstrated ability to speak, spell and utilize appropriate grammar, sentence structure and hospital and network approved abbreviations

• Ability to communicate and work effectively with the physical and emotional development of all age groups

• Possess excellent customer service and patient care skills

• Interacts in a friendly, professional manner with a wide range of patients, operations staff, physicians, and other departments in Valley Medical Center

Patient Care

• Anticipate and facilitate provider work flow

• Inform and update patient of anticipated wait times

• Assist providers with patient flow time management

• Perform initial intake screening by “verifying” reason for patient visit

• Obtain and record patient information

• Obtain vital signs per network policy for each patient visit

• Prepare and maintain examination and treatment areas

• Prepare patient for examinations procedure and treatments

• Assist with examination, procedures and treatments

• Maintain and update all medication and immunization records

• Maintain, reviews and updates health maintenance records

• Complete all forms and data sets for patient care to the maximum limit of scope

• Schedule , coordinate and monitor appointments

• Complete patient recalls daily

Operational Functions

• Apply principles of aseptic techniques and infection control

• Practice standard precautions, including hand washing and disposal of biohazards

• Comply with quality assurance practices

• Perform inventory of supplies and equipment

• Perform routine maintenance of administrative and clinical equipment

• Apply computer and other electronic equipment techniques to support office operations

• Perform methods of quality control

Practice Finances

UNIQUE PHYSICAL/MENTAL DEMANDS, ENVIRONMENT, AND WORKING CONDITIONS: As listed through out the document

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Generic Job Functions: See Generic Job Description for Clinical Support Partner

Medical Assisting

In order to serve the patient successfully the MA needs to have the ability to conceptualize role and responsibility. The MA is a liaison between the patient and provider. The MA understands that they are here to “serve” the patient. They must understand that resources in healthcare are limited. Concepts of anticipation and preparation for patient visits are essential for success. Pertinent and successful patient care interactions require the ability to apply concepts of critical thinking. The MA must independently understand scope and how to determine safe practice technique. They must have the ability to comprehend that provider success and efficiency is coupled with their ability to understand patient flow, anticipate patient needs and to appropriately work to the maximum limit of certification. The MA is responsible for asking “what can I do to facilitate meeting the needs of the patient?” at each visit. They must have the ability to comprehend, understand and value their role and that of those whom they work with. The MA is responsible for gathering all necessary information such that the provider visit is focused on patient care and clinical diagnosis.

BACK OFFICE DUTIES/FACILITATOR

It’s essential to maintain a calm demeanor to manage multiple tasks while in the back office. Messages from patients, orders from providers, and faxes are coming in throughout the day at a fast rate so it is imperative to be checking each system to ensure a smooth process. As a MA, your job is to multitask, prioritize, organize and facilitate workflow for the provider. A well rounded MA should be able to instill confidence in the provider by following through on their requests and continuing an exceptional patient care experience. The following are some of the main duties: participate in huddles with providers to anticipate needs/orders/procedures for the day, view daily schedule throughout the day to track when patients arrive in order to communicate/assign, read, investigate and forward messages to appropriate provider (if needed), contact patient when messages have been answered and record message in EMR, call pharmacies to call in prescriptions that have been approved in EMR or refax through electronic fax, facilitate care management calls if necessary, expedite written orders from provider (no verbal orders of any kind), fax or mail paperwork to pharmacies, other medical centers and/or patients. Ensure all paperwork is signed off by appropriate provider in a timely manner.

1. Manages messaging and order workflow

Clinical Partner Addendum – Medical Assistant

Job Qualifications:

PREREQUISITES:

QUALIFICATIONS:

Legal Concepts

• Perform within legal and ethical boundaries

• Document patient communication and clinical treatments accurately and appropriately

• Maintain medical records

• Comply with State, Federal and regulatory agencies

• Demonstrated knowledge and comprehension of Medical Assistant scope and role

• Demonstrated ability to engage and master the scope and role of a MA within a fast-pace environment

• Demonstrated ability to comprehend, execute and act within the limits of MA scope of practice while under the direction of a health care practitioner

• Demonstrated ability to function effectively in an environment where it is necessary to perform several tasks simultaneously, and where interruptions are frequent

• Demonstrate clear understanding of clinic structure and design