Medical Assistant

Saving Lives with Early Detection

Job Title: Medical Assistant

Department: Medical

Reports To: Back Office Manager or Clinic Manager

Summary Assists in examination and treatment of patients under direction of the Providers working for VUMG. As a medical assistant at VUMG this position performs a wide variety of duties and responsibilities in a manner that places emphasis on quality of care and customer service. The Medical Assistant is expected to work collaboratively with all clinical and nonclinical staff in support of direct patient care. The position must exemplify the core values and mission of HALO diagnostics and exercise the utmost discretion and tact in patient/staff interactions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Prepares for patient appointments by reviewing and updating patient records prior to appointment. This includes checking for updates of recent test results, lab results, and correspondence. Also reviews patient EHR to determine needed services and whether referrals are in process or have been completed since last visit.
2. Resolve patient complaints using all elements of HALO’s Principles, We Put Patients First, We Focus on What Matters, We Act as Owners and We Strengthen Our Team and Communities.
3. Comfort patients by anticipating patients’ needs and requests.
4. Provides initial medical screening: Greets patients and directs them to appropriate exam room. Takes weight, height, temperature, blood pressure and basic medical history and confirms purpose of visit; accurately documents in medical EHR according to accepted medical records standards.
5. Maintains exam rooms according to protocols: Cleans rooms between patient exams to ensure patients comfort and compliance with infection control standards; ensures all necessary supplies are stocked. Promptly reports when supplies are low and works with Clinic Manager to ensure timely reordering is completed.
6. Appropriately prepares patient for visit and alerts physician when patient is ready to be seen. When physician is unavailable, the MA keeps the patient updated on the status of their appointment and when necessary, assists the patient in rescheduling or scheduling follow-up. Instructs patient as to general clinic policies patients’ rights and responsibilities as needed.
7. Assists physician or nurse upon request during examination of patient and according to accepted medical standards. Practices universal precautions with respect to established safety protocols. Facilitates communication between the Provider (s) and patient as needed, including translation as appropriate.
8. Utilizes time in a constructive and efficient manner by assisting in such duties as restocking rooms/shelves/trays, checking supplies and ensuring that all areas, exam rooms are clean and orderly.
9. Assist/perform all necessary patient procedures for which you are qualified. May also perform urinalysis, basic lab tests, dressing changes and post-operative wound care, and assisting the provider with urological procedures as needed. Triage and screen patient calls and assist patients with questions regarding their care.
10. Performs general clerical duties in support of patient services according to the needs of the clinic and as directed by the Clinic Manager or Provider or nursing staff. These include but are not limited to answering phones, photocopies, faxing, completing forms, etc. Works with Front Office and support staff to assist with efficient patient flow.
11. Call in refills to a pharmacy, under the direct supervision of the physician or podiatrist. The medication refills must be exact and have no changes in the dosage levels. The refill must be documented in the patient's chart as a standing order, patient specific. The Medical Assistant is expected to call in to the pharmacy medications the same day the provider gives the order or follows any specific day or time that is stated in the order or by the provider.
12. Completes actions, responds to voicemails, and addresses telephone encounters at the end of the day or within 24 hours.
13. Maintains workstation according to protocols. Prepare exam rooms, ensuring proper inventory supplies. Performs routine quality check of equipment and promptly reports damaged or missing equipment from patient rooms.
14. Keeps equipment operating by following operating instructions, troubleshooting breakdowns, maintaining supplies, performing preventive maintenance, and calling for repairs or contacting the Clinic Manager or Designee.
15. Educate patients and their families on health conditions, treatment, and medications.
16. For safety and security reasons, the MA is responsible for knowing the whereabouts of a patient anytime the patient is in clinical areas. In the event a patient or clinic emergency the MA may be called to activate the proper “code” assisting Providers and clinical staff with the appropriate emergency response. In the event of an evacuation, the MA will assist in the evacuating of patients being seen by his/her Provider (s) as scheduled.
17. Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

1. Excellent communication skills at level necessary for taking patients medical history, understanding Provider and supervisors instructions, and for accurately documenting patients medical information. Ability to effectively communicate with patient population and staff while demonstrating a high degree of diplomacy and tact.
2. Beginner to intermediate computing and phone skills
3. Willingness to work hours as needed and demonstrates flexibility regarding job duties and assignments.
4. Ability to multi-task and work effectively in a fast-moving environment.
5. Culturally sensitive and demonstrated ability and effectiveness working with ethnically diverse populations.
6. Working knowledge of “universal precautions”, always demonstrates professionalism.
7. Possess a thorough understanding of the importance of confidentiality and non-disclosure according to the general standards set forth by HIPAA.
8. Bilingual English/Spanish and/or other languages strongly preferred.
9. Valid California Drivers license, insurance, and ability to travel as needed.

Education and Experience:

1. High School Graduate
2. Current, valid California Certification of Medical Assistant preferred
3. Experience in a Urology office preferred

Pay Range: $21 to $24 an hour