Patient Care Assistant/ certified Medical Assistant

Patient Care Assistant/Certified Medical Assistant

Position Overview: Must be a Certified Medical Assistant or Phlebotomist Highschool Diploma/ GED required

Job Description: The Patient Care Assistant supports the department by providing direct patient care (i.e. clinical and administrative duties). Patient Care Assistant will be crossed trained and expected to perform duties outlined in Track 1 and Track 2.

Track 1 - Responsible for completing a variety of medical/administrative related tasks in support of the medical provider.

Track 2 - Work with the Medical Care & Dental Care Department Interdisciplinary Team to support the medical provider in the provision of clinical and administrative assistance to patients.

Essential Job Duties:

• Maintain effective communication with patients in reference to wait-time, patient needs, expectations and patient feedback.
• Escort patients to different areas within the medical office (check-in/out, lab, exam room).
• Complete all tasks sent via EHR by the requested timeframe.
• Ensure compliance with health center policies and procedures as it relates to medical examination of every patient seen.
• Administrative Duties - Track 1
• Ensure proper and timely check-in of patients and prepare patients for medical examination.
• Assists with the coordination of patient flow.
• Ensure proper patient identification using a minimum of two (2) patient identifiers as per national patient safety goal requirements.
• Schedule follow-up appointments for patients
• Timely and accurately complete documentation in patient charts
• Receive/send documents via fax by provider request
• Complete Medical Record Release forms
• Make phone calls and document in EHR per provider request.
• Record pertinent information on forms
• Administrative Duties - Track 2
• Ensure proper and smooth operational flow as it relates to patient visits (i.e. prioritize patient flow based on medical needs).
• Ensure proper patient identification using a minimum of two (2) patient identifiers as per national patient safety goal requirements.
• Review and upload patient vital signs in the EHR
• Updates and record patient information in the EHR: Allergies, reconcile medication lists, review immunizations, history forms and other information as required.
• Prepare and review the next day patient schedules and care requirements to maintain patient flow.
• Assist with the completion of forms as needed (i.e., Women Infant Children (WIC), pre-operative Surgical, work Excuse/return to work and proof of pregnancy).
• Ensure proper Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and depression screening for risk of suicide of every new patient.
• Clinical Duties - Track 1
• Collect and accurately document patient vital signs in the EHR (i.e. height, weight, temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, pulse oximeter and pain level)
• Report abnormal findings to the Registered Nurse and/or Medical Provider
• Prepare venipuncture forms.
• Prepare Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN) forms as required and inform patients of any costs associated with lab work.
• Prepare and complete lab orders/requisition.
• Ensure proper collection, labeling and processing of all specimens using a minimum of two (2) patient identifiers prior to drawing blood.
• Assist Medical Providers with medical procedures/testing by performing, electrocardiogram (EKG's), vision and hearing test, diabetic, foot/monofilament test, fall risk assessment (65 & over), waived testing, results documentation & log maintenance (blood glucose, A1C, strep, urine dipstick, urinalysis, pregnancy, Immunochemical Fecal Occult Blood Test (iFOBT), influenza A&B).
• Review visit summary with patients upon discharge by provider.
• Ensure proper processing and specimens are securely enclosed for transport to the lab.
• Clinical Duties - Track 2
• Prepare rooms for clinical examination and patient procedures as directed.
• Ensure materials/supplies/equipment are fully stocked and available.
• Assist Medical Providers with procedures/testing and ensure proper documentation in medical record: (Pap smears, colposcopy, biopsy, vaginal cultures, pelvic/breast exam, male exam, incision and drainage, throat cultures, nebulizer treatments and other procedures as indicated by the provider.
• Obtain and review medical records of all diagnostic/lab reports.
• Collect, transport, disinfect, and prepare instruments for sterilization process in accordance with policy and procedure.
• Perform high-level disinfection (HLD) and sterilization of instruments, as assigned and manufacturer guidelines.
• Ensure the following are entered into the patients EHR: (Complaints, history of current illnesses, problem list, health reminders, patient history, social history, family history, medical/surgical history, and gauge for recent hospitalizations.
• Perform PHQ-9 Depression screenings.
• Place orders for the following: Laboratory test, standing orders, referrals and updates status of any open referrals, new medication and/or medication refills, vaccines and/or injections.
• Ensure proper ICD-10 coding/charges by diagnosis as per medical providers instructions.
• Enter Uniform Data System (UDS) & Meaningful Use (MU) measures.
• Enter self-management goals and plan of care.
• Provide accurate and timely documentation within the same day of intervention and input other information as requested by providers.
• Quality Assurance/Compliance
• Ensure examination rooms are in compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Joint Commission (JC) standards
• Ensure proper documentation/logging and disposal of medication into the hazardous/black box.
• Receive training and participate in competency assessments based on evidence-based guidelines and manufacturer instructions for use.
• Safety/Cleanliness
• Ensure cleanliness of clinic area and examination rooms.
• Report any cleaning or safety observations to the registered nurse and/or office manager.
• Maintain agency guidelines relating to safety, outreach and confidentiality.
• Ensure proper hand washing according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
• Maintain and follow infection control standards and Universal Precautions as per policy and procedure.
• Provide feedback observations on risk management/safety assessments in work area to Registered Nurse and/or office manager.
• Understand and appropriately acts upon assigned role in Emergency Code System.
• Understand and perform assigned role in Agency Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP).
• Culture of Service: 3 C's
• Compassion: Greet internal or external customer (i.e. patient, client, staff, vendor) with courtesy, making eye contact, responding with a proper tone and nonverbal language
• Listen to internal or external customers (i.e. patient, client, staff, vendor) attentively, reassure an understanding of the request and provide appropriate options or resolutions
• Competency: Provide services required by following established protocols, and when needed, secure additional help to answer questions to ensure appropriate services are delivered
• Commitment: Take the initiative and anticipate internal or external customers' needs by engaging them in the process and follow-up as needed. Prioritize internal and external customer (i.e. patient, client, staff, vendor) request to ensure prompt and effective responses are provided.
• Contact Responsibility: The responsibility for internal external contacts (i.e. treat people in a respectful, sensitive and professional manner) is frequent and important
• Physical Requirements: This work requires the following physical and sensory activities: constant talking in person, talking on the phone, hearing/visual acuity and exposure to blood borne pathogens and hazardous materials. There's frequent walking, standing, sitting, and bending. Work is performed in an office and laboratory setting.
• Other: Participate in training sessions and other meetings as required by the agency and/or funding sources. Participate in agency developmental activities as requested. Other duties as assigned.