Medical Assistant

**This is a temporary full-time position**

Summary:

Works interdependently with other health care professionals to provide quality health care to the patient. Responsible for assisting physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses and other staff so they may quickly and efficiently provide health care to patients, ensuring that the patient feels comfortable, confident and satisfied with their visit. Performs laboratory tests on patients in a safe and efficient manner maintaining quality control and adhering to Department of Health and CLIA legal requirements. Performs duties under the supervision of a physician, nurse practitioner, RN or LPN. 

Responsibilities and Duties:

• After the patient signs in at the front desk and a superbill is generated, the Medical Assistant greets the patient and escorts them in for office visits with the physician or nurse practitioner, lab work, injections, chemotherapy and non-chemotherapy treatments. 
• Transports patients safely using appropriate equipment such as wheelchairs.
• Assists patients with ambulation, transfers, and prepares the patients for examinations including un-dressing and dressing during their office visit.
• Obtains patient vital signs, height and weight. Documents the information by entering it into the electronic medical record, and on the continuation sheet. 
• Assists in purchasing and maintaining supplies and equipment.
• Ensures that exam rooms and physician offices are stocked with medical supplies, equipment and the appropriate paperwork.
• Observes the patient condition and immediately communicates changes/concerns to the physician, nurse practitioner or registered nurse. 
• Responsible for checking the emergency equipment daily to ensure it remains is in good working condition. 
• Maintains a log of the daily inspection of the emergency equipment.
• Performs EKG when requested by the physician, nurse practitioner or registered nurse.
• Follows emergency procedures including using CPR if necessary.
• Assists the physicians with exams.
• Set-up for bone marrow biopsies, lumbar punctures and any other surgical and non-surgical procedures ordered for the patient.
• Administers subcutaneous and intramuscular injections as requested by the registered nurse under the license of the covering physician in the office for the day. Documents the name and dose of the drug and the administration site. Documents full signature and title. 
• Assists the triage nurse with returning phone calls under direct supervision. May also phone in prescription refills under direct supervision.

Lab Specimen Collection:

• After receiving and reviewing laboratory orders, obtain blood specimens.
• Obtain blood specimens for analysis by finger stick or venipuncture depending on the specific test ordered. Identify the patient by having the patient state their first and last name and date of birth and compare it to the RCCA ID number.
• Review all specimens for acceptability.
• Collect specimens for culture using sterile technique for blood cultures, throat cultures, sputum cultures or superficial wound cultures.
• Instructs patients in the proper collection of twenty-four-hour urines. Verifies that the containers contain the proper preservative and instruct the patient in refrigeration or acid precautions if appropriate.

Lab Quality Control:

• Performs daily Quality Control (QC) on the Hematology Analyzer Instrument including start-up, reagent check and analysis of three levels of Commercial Quality Control material. Maintains documentation of the results and all maintenance procedures in the Hematology QC log book or smart card.
• Calibrate the Hematology Instrument at least once every six months. Maintains documentation of all results. 
• Investigate all out-of-range results and document the corrective action taken.
• Perform an instrument check on the Coagulation Instrument prior to use. Maintain documentation of all results. 
• Perform an instrument check on the Glucose Instrument prior to use. Maintain documentation of all results.
• Perform Urinalysis Quality Control if a Urinalysis is performed. Maintain documentation of all results.
• Assists in purchasing and maintaining supplies and equipment.
• The laboratory must be clean and well lit.
• The temperature and humidity range must be maintained according to standards set forth by the State Department of Health.

Laboratory Testing:

• After assuring satisfactory QC and instrument function, perform CBC on the Hematology Analyzer. Review all results for acceptability, critical results, or clinically significant changes. Report critical values or significant changes to the physician. Maintain documentation of all results, or of any corrective action taken. 
• After assuring satisfactory QC and instrument function of the Hemosense Instrument perform INR. Maintain documentation of all results in INR logbook, and on the Coumadin questionnaire.
• Perform Urinalysis. Dip with Multistix10SG dipstick. Record results on the Urinalysis flowsheet. Maintain documentation in the Urinalysis Logbook. Report results and scan them into the patient’s medical record. 
• Perform Manual Differentials if Hematology Analyzer histogram indicates or if the attending physician requests a smear review. After preparing the smear (slide), tape the slide to the copy of the patient’s CBC report which is stamped with the “Diff” stamp. Physician smear revisions are recorded in the smear logbook.  
• Process Bone Marrow biopsy specimens for transport to the appropriate reference laboratory for analysis.
• Process all specimens for genetic testing and prepare for transport to Myriad Genetics. Refer to manual for instructions.
• Initiative – The degree to which an employee searches out new tasks and expands abilities professionally and personally.
• Interpersonal Relationships – The willingness and ability to communicate, cooperate, and work with co-workers, supervisors, and patients.

Record Keeping:

• Maintain documentation of all in-office procedures in the appropriate log books and in the patient’s medical record.
• Review superbill for appropriate and correct charges for services provided. 
•  Assists in filing and maintaining medical records.
• Miscellaneous:
• Practices OSHA safety standards.
• Maintains Universal Precautions.
• Disposes of all biohazard waste according to OSHA standards.
• Must comply with all State, Federal and Local Regulations.
• Must possess good analytical judgment and the ability to pay close attention to detail because small differences or changes in test substance or numerical readouts can be crucial to diagnosis.
• Must demonstrate goad problem solving skills and the ability to work under pressure. 
• Conducts practice without discrimination on the basis of age, sex, race, religion, sexual preference, national origin or handicap.
• Demonstrates the ability to work well with peers while ensuring a strong cohesive team.
• Follows the chain of command appropriately when necessary.
• Respects and maintains the patient’s right to privacy by protecting confidential information by adhering to HIPAA guidelines.
•  Assists in filing and maintaining medical records.
• All other duties as assigned.

Education:

• High school graduate or equivalent.

Certificates, Qualifications, Licenses, Registrations:

• Current Certification from an accredited program for Certified Medical Assistant or Registered Medical Assistant.
• Current CPR certification.