Medical Assistant

Job Title: Medical Assistant

Department: MA

Reports To: Clinic Manager

Supervises: Not Applicable Overtime

Status: Non-exempt

Job Summary: Responsible for providing professional nursing care for clinic patients under the supervision of the physician. Assists physician and staff in coordinating patient care. Functions as primary liaison between patients, staff, and physician.

Primary Job Responsibilities:

1. Assesses patient's general condition and takes vital signs and weight, as needed.
2. Maintains exam rooms for necessary supplies and materials. Ensures cleanliness. Prepares equipment and aids physician during treatment, examination, and testing of patients.
3. Educates patient/family about diagnostic procedures, nutrition, and maintenance of health and wellness.
4. Greets patients and prepares them for physician examination. Screens patients for appropriate information. Instructs patients in the collection of samples and tests.
5. Maintains/reviews patient records, charts, and other pertinent information. Records tests and examination results in the patient's chart.
6. Responds to/refers incoming patient treatment-related phone calls. Instructs patients and family regarding medications and treatment instructions.
7. Maintains patient confidentiality.
8. Schedules referrals and tests.
9. Performs other related duties as directed or required.

Education: High school diploma or GED; Medical Assistant Certification preferred.

Experience: Minimum of one-year medical assistant experience.

Performance Requirements:

Knowledge:

1. Knowledge of basic nursing principles and protocols.
2. Knowledge of policies and procedures related to infection control, environmental safety, and patient confidentiality.
3. Knowledge of medical chart reporting/records.
4. Knowledge of management and organizational theory to supervise the business practices including principles of employee development to train, delegate, and mentor staff.

Skills:

1. Skill in appropriate assessment and assistance techniques.
2. Skill in appropriate use of universal precautions, safe workplace, and confidentiality methods.
3. Skill in health information management by appropriately charting patient data.

Abilities:

1. Ability to work effectively as a team member with physicians and other staff.
2. Ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations.
3. Ability to appropriately interact with patients, families, staff, and others.
4. Ability to flexibly respond to changing demands.
5. Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and direct the work of others.
6. Ability to communicate clearly.

Equipment Operated: Standard office equipment with emphasis on telephone and computer hardware/software.

Work Environment: Normal office and exam room environment. Frequent exposure to communicable diseases, toxic substances, medicinal preparations, and other conditions common to a clinic environment.

Mental/Physical Requirements: Varied activities including standing, walking, reaching, bending, and lifting. Requires full range of body motion including handling and lifting patients, manual and finger dexterity, and eye-hand coordination. Must be able to use a variety of office equipment. Occasionally lifting and carrying files up to 50 pounds. May require working under stressful conditions.

This description is intended to provide only basic guidelines for meeting job requirements. Responsibilities, knowledge, skills, abilities, and working conditions may change as needs evolve.

Scheduling Coordinator

Job Title: Scheduling Coordinator

Department: Scheduling

Reports To: Scheduling Manager

Supervises: Not Applicable

Overtime Status: Non-exempt

Job Summary: This is position is responsible for making patient appointments following medical practice procedures. Tasks may be integrated into another position, e.g., receptionist/registration clerk or medical assistant.

Primary Job Responsibilities:

1. Schedules appointments for patients either by phone when they call in or in person after an office visit. If medical practice offers after-hours/one-day appointments, schedules these appointments following urgent/emergency protocols as in the case of a sick child, which may mean scheduling the patient with a physician or nurse practitioner other than their primary physician.
2. Uses manual/computerized system to match physician/clinician availability with patient’s preferences in terms of date and time.
3. Maintains scheduling system so records are accurate and complete and can be used to analyze patient/staffing patterns. Provides daily schedules to physicians/clinicians or medical assistants prior to each day’s visits. Also provides copies for the receptionist/registration clerk and others as needed.
4. Ensures that updates (e.g., cancellations or additions) are input daily into master schedule.
5. Communicates as needed with physicians/clinicians and other staff about any patient concerns/issues related to scheduling. Consults with scheduling manager about any system problems.
6. Uses customer service principles and techniques to deal with patients calmly and pleasantly.
7. Maintains confidentiality of protected health information.
8. Performs other duties as assigned.

Education: High school diploma or GED; associate’s degree preferred.

Experience: Minimum one year of experience in an appointment scheduling position or customer service position, preferably in a medical practice setting. Word processing and computer experience.

Performance Requirements:

Knowledge:

1. Knowledge of medical practice protocols related to scheduling appointments.
2. Knowledge of manual/computerized scheduling systems.
3. Knowledge of customer service principles and techniques.
4. Knowledge of medical terminology.

Skills:

1. Skill in communicating effectively with physicians/clinicians about scheduling preferences.
2. Skill in maintaining master appointment schedule via manual or computerized means.
3. Skill in producing reports about appointment patterns as needed.

Abilities:

1. Ability to multitask effectively, dealing with phone calls, in-office patients, staff, and others pleasantly.
2. Ability to communicate calmly and clearly with patients about appointments in all circumstances including when they are ill or have an emergency.
3. Ability to analyze situations and respond appropriately.
4. Ability to competently use Microsoft Office, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and appropriate practice management software.

Equipment Operated: Standard office equipment with emphasis on telephone and computer hardware/software.

Work Environment: Medical office or reception area. Limited exposure to communicable diseases and other conditions related to clinic setting. Work may be stressful due to a busy office.

Mental/Physical Requirements: Must possess the physical and mental abilities to perform the tasks normally associated with an Appointment Scheduler that mostly sedentary with some standing, walking, reaching. Daily and repetitive data entry may cause nerve problems unless ergonomic techniques are used. Periodic stress occurs from handling many calls and dealing with patient requests.