Medical Assistant - Ambulatory - Infusion Clinic

General Summary of Position

The Medical Assistant performs clinical and administrative duties in an ambulatory care setting under the supervision of a physician / provider and / or a registered nurse.

Duties may include venipuncture, medication and vaccine administration, measurement, and documentation of vital signs, and assisting providers with patient exams, and telephone and clerical support.

Position may float to other sites / locations within the system.Â

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Contributes to the achievement of established department goals and objectives and adheres to department policies, procedures, quality, and safety standards.

Complies with governmental regulations and accreditation standards.

Assists providers with patient preparation for examination, minor office procedures and with the examination and education of patients.

Supports other members of the clinical care team, assuring optimal best-practice patient flow; manages variable and unpredictable patient volume throughout the workday.

Provides clerical support and serves as backup for the Patient Services Coordinator or other team members as needed.

Participates in daily team huddles to review and prepare for scheduled patient visits. Screens all patients, regardless of visit type, for preventative care needs, ongoing support, barriers to care, safety concerns, and potential fall risk.

Conducts surveillance for transitions of care, urgent / emergent care, or follow up tasks such as retrieval of documents associated with referrals / testing.

Conducts motivational interviews that include patient screening and / or coaching on disease management ability, motivation to change, learning care needs, and community outreach needs.

Identifies potential behavioral health needs of patients using appropriate screening tools and notifies provider of findings.

As part of a High Reliability Organization, reports actual and potential problems concerning patients, families and associates using established reporting protocols for MedStar Health and / or work location.

 Participates in performance improvement initiatives to improve care quality and safety.

• Ensures ongoing compliance with regulatory, accreditation, and quality / safety standards by maintaining and auditing temperature logs, ensuring medication supplies are current / unexpired, checking and maintaining emergency equipment, area free of clutter, and other related tasks.
• Participates in population management activities including an awareness of the populations served and engages the patient in self-management support, care / health goal setting, pre-visit planning, and the capturing of information that leads to health care improvement activities.
• Performs selected patient and laboratory testing consistent with the scope of the practice, including but not limited to Point of Care Testing, tuberculosis skin testing, electrocardiography, pulmonary function tests, and vision and hearing testing (dependent upon provider and site requirements).

Removes sutures / staples after the provider has examined the patient and written the appropriate order. Documents these activities in the patient's electronic medical record (EMR) or other venues based on policy.

Documents clinically related activities accurately in the patient's EMR; performs required patient follow-up : to include pap smears, Pb levels, HIV, mammograms, and STD's.

Collects and processes specimens, completes requisitions, and documents in logbook or other applicable forms / records.

• Provides escort for patients and assists with patient discharge activities. Provides chaperoning for patients per policy.
• Fulfills infection prevention and environmental responsibilities as assigned, which many include : Light cleaning during clinic hours and cleaning of equipment.

Updates appropriate records of scheduled equipment maintenance and manages drug and medical supply inventories.

• Provides telephone screening services to gather information from patients, determine appropriate disposition and document per established telephone screening protocols.
• Under onsite provider supervision may insert intravenous catheter for physician initiated IV fluid therapy or administration of intravenous medications.

Under direct onsite physician supervision, may insert, remove, and monitor urinary catheter for procedures and prepare and administer oral drugs and injections limited to intradermal, subcutaneous, and intramuscular.

 May perform phlebotomy.

Utilizes the EMR to propose patient medication refills for provider approval. Completes requisitions for tests (if applicable).

Contacts insurance companies for Pre-authorizations for patient medications and specialty referrals including insurance authorization.

• Floats to other sites / locations within the system as appropriate and performs all duties at multiple sites.
• Attends scheduled meetings including, but not limited to, regular staff meetings and training classes for safety, infection control, OSHA, CLIA, BLS and others as required.
• Maintains direct observation of patient when functioning as an Observation Attendant
• Demonstrates behavior consistent with MedStar Health mission, vision, goals, SPIRIT values, objectives, and patient care philosophy.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• High School Diploma or GED or equivalent required
• completion of an accredited Medical Assistant program preferred

Experience

• 6 months experience working in an ambulatory care medical office, equivalent experience required
• Completed externship program at medstar health may be substituted for the 6 months experience in ambulatory care medical office.
• Experience working with electronic medical records preferred for cardiology offices only : 6 months experience working in an ambulatory care medical office.

Bachelor's degree in exercise physiology / science, or related major, succession completion of a cardiac technican course.

Externship in a medical or ambulatory health setting strongly preferred

Licenses and Certifications

• Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)-AAMA or equivalent within 1 Year required or
• Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)-American Medical Technologists equivalent within 1 Year required
• CPR - Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation (includes BLS and NRP) for healthcare providers from either the American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross within 90 Days required
• Additional unit / specialty certifications may vary by department or business unit.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Clinical competency as verified within 90-day orientation period and annually thereafter.
• Excellent customer service / patient interaction skills.
• Basic computer skills preferred.

Why MedStar Health?

At MedStar Health, we understand that our ability to treat others well begins with how we treat each other. We work hard to foster an inclusive and positive environment where our associates feel valued, connected, and empowered.

We live up to this promise through :

• Strong emphasis on teamwork - our associates feel connected to each other and our mission as an organization. In return, our effective team environment generates positive patient outcomes and high associate satisfaction ratings that exceed the national benchmark.
• Strategic focus on equity, inclusion, & diversity - we are committed to equity for all people and communities. We continue to build a diverse and inclusive workplace where people feel a sense of belonging and the ability to contribute to equitable care delivery and improved community health outcomes at all levels of the organization.
• Comprehensive total rewards package - including competitive pay, generous paid time off, great health and wellness benefits, retirement savings, education assistance, and so much more.
• More career opportunities closer to home - as the largest healthcare provider in the Baltimore-Washington, . region, there are countless opportunities to grow your career and fulfill your aspirations.

About MedStar Health

MedStar Health is dedicated to providing the highest quality care for people in Maryland and the Washington, ., region, while advancing the practice of medicine through education, innovation, and research.

Our team of 32,000 includes physicians, nurses, residents, fellows, and many other clinical and non-clinical associates working in a variety of settings across our health system, including 10 hospitals and more than 300 community-based locations, the largest home health provider in the region, and highly respected institutes dedicated to research and innovation.

As the medical education and clinical partner of Georgetown University for more than 20 years, MedStar Health is dedicated not only to teaching the next generation of doctors, but also to the continuing education, professional development, and personal fulfillment of our whole team.

Together, we use the best of our minds and the best of our hearts to serve our patients, those who care for them, and our communities.

It’s how we treat people.

MedStar Health is an Equal Opportunity (EO) Employer and assures equal opportunity for all applicants and employees. We hire people to work in different locations, and we comply with the federal, state and local laws governing each of those locations.

MedStar Health makes all decisions regarding employment, including for example, hiring, transfer, promotion, compensation, benefit eligibility, discipline, and discharge without regard to any protected status, including race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship status, sex, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, political affiliations, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local EO laws.

If you receive an offer of employment, it is MedStar Health's policy to hire its employees on an at-will basis, which means you or MedStar Health may terminate this relationship at any time, for any reason.