Signature Healthcare is Southeastern Massachusetts’ premier local provider of quality, personalized medical services. We are comprised of the award-winning not-for-profit Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital; Signature Medical Group (SMG), a multi-specialty physician group of more than 150 physicians practicing in 18 ambulatory locations. We believe our distinctive Signature Healthcare team approach is the way healthcare should be: medical professionals across many locations communicating and collaborating, taking advantage of technologies and resources to make a difference in the lives and health of our patients.
Position Summary:
The Medical Assistant/ Medical Office Coordinator is responsible for a variety of patient care, technical, and clerical related functions. The Medical Assistant is responsible for the clinic patient flow by assisting members of the patient care team and providing a broad range of health care services. As a member of the patient care team, the Medical Assistant is also aware of the psychosocial needs of patients and families.
Location: Float
Department: Float Team
This is a full-time position and requires 40 hours per week.
Responsibilities:
Medical Assistants and other skilled assistants can be involved in patient care under the supervision of a licensed physician as long as they are not performing a task that requires a license (e.g. MD,RN NP, PA). The intent of the regulation is to prohibit unlicensed or formerly licensed persons from performing activities requiring a license to practice medicine. Delegation of medical services is not permitted to individuals not licensed to perform that medical service.
“Medical services” delegated to assistants so not include performing invasive procedures, except when specifically authorized by state law. M.G.L. c112 §265 allows certified medical assistants to perform immunizations as outlined in the statute. Other duties that may be performed by SHC Medical Assistants include:
Perform patient check in, including obtaining and recording vital signs, height, weight, chief complaint, brief relevant history including pain status, allergies, current medication, and any other pertinent information for specific age groups. Prepare patient for examination/procedure, as appropriate. Administer immunizations orally, intramuscularly, subcutaneously, or intradermally once evidence of competency has been assessed with a signed order. Alert RN and/or provider of patient’s/family’s questions or issues related to vaccine administration. Review medical records for up-to-date problem list including patient reported medication and allergies and diagnoses that are documented by physicians or providers. Understand that the stress of illness may alter patient behavior and ability to follow through on plan of health care; interact with respect including situations where patient and/or family display anger or distress. Provide support and comfort to patients and families during clinic visits and procedures as needed, including chaperoning during sensitive examinations. Promote patient welfare and independence by communicating through words and actions and understanding of patients’ reactions to the healthcare environment. Participate in patient education by providing standardized, structured written/verbal information to patients regarding procedures, preparation for diagnostic tests, and chronic disease conditions as instructed by RN/MD. Refer patients who require further teaching interventions to an RN or provider. Provide emergency care to patients when necessary, using basic life support and automated defibrillator equipment, maintaining basic CPR certification. Assist provider with procedures including those requiring aseptic and sterile technique. Assist with quality measures, including maintenance and recording of required daily equipment checks, CLIA requirements, and calibration of equipment as needed in clinics where this is required. Document complete and accurate patient observations, care, and outcomes of interventions in the electronic medical record. Contribute to individual patient care planning. Participate in the review of schedules and space needs; anticipate and suggest any needed changes in staffing or provider schedules. Assist with coordinating work assignments to assure that the staff needed is available and prepared. Comply with the SHC Health patient satisfaction, customer service, and ambulatory care standards. Assist with quality improvement projects such as communication of waits and delays, chart audits. Assist in updating Medical Assistant training materials. Participate in orientation of new staff. May float to other clinics as needed for operations need. Clean and examine procedure tables, equipment, and other work areas following current infection control and/or isolation procedure guidelines. Stock nurse’s station and exam/procedure rooms as assigned. Inventory specialty items and initiate reorder of supplies as needed. Report non-functioning or defective equipment to supervisor immediately. Ensure all supplies are up to date and replace expired materials as necessary following sterile processing procedures. Assist in the maintenance of patient education materials. Provide clerical support to facilitate optimal patient care and area operation. Demonstrate proficiency in use of the computer for all aspects of patient care and documentation. Facilitate the coordination of patient services within the clinic and other departments, e.g. radiology, clinical lab, etc. Based on setting, may perform prescribed lab activities, patient scheduling functions, and/or standard revenue cycle functions. Prepare/maintain medical records, including ordering, filing, and copying when appropriate. Adhere to National Patient Safety goals, Joint Commission Standards, and Department of Public Health regulations Complete all required competencies and maintain skill level. Recognize the need for continuous learning by attending staff development programs and workshops. Serve on task forces/committees as requested.Perform Additional Duties as requested.
Additional duties may include: Administrative duties to support the office and assure efficient patient flow such as check in/check out, scheduling of appts, receiving calls from patients, making calls to patients and other administrative office tasks.
Required Knowledge and Skill:
Knowledge of medical terminology Ability to learn computer and application skills as applicable to role Ability to interact with and work around people Ability to make judgments in demanding situations Ability to react to frequent changes in duties and volume of work Effective oral and written communication skills Ability to listen empathetically Ability to logically organize details Ability to manage multiple concurrent activities Knowledge of interpersonal communications in a complex organization Commitment to respectful patient and family centered care Commitment to respectful treatment of all colleagues Commitment to patient privacy Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization may exist. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Must be able to reasonably make appropriate judgment in communications and actions with patients, physicians, other associates, outside agencies, and vendors.
Education/Experience/Licenses/Technical/Other:
Education: High School Diploma or equivalent. Graduate of an approved Medical Assisting Program preferred. Other education as approved by the DON Experience (Type & Length): One (1) year of experience as a Certified Medical Assistant or LPN preferred but, not required Certification/Licensure: Certified as a CMA, RMA or CCMA or eligible for certification. Certification must be obtained within six(6) months of hire. CPR/BLS certification from American Red Cross Software/Hardware: Other: Medical Assistant certification through one of the following organizations required within 6 months of hire: American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) - Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), American Medical Certification Agency (AMCA)- Clinical Medical Assistant Certification (CMA), National Health Career Association (NHA) - Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA), American Medical Technologist (AMT) - Registered Medical Assistant (RMA), American Registry of Medical Assistants (ARMA)- Registered Medical Assistant (RMA), National Association of Health Professionals- Nationally Registered Certified Medical Assistant (NRCMA), National Phlebotomy Solutions (NPS)- Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) or National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) - National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA).