Certified Medical Assistant - Primary Care

Company Description

It takes a lot of very smart, hard-working and talented people to provide the level of care that we give to our patients. Tufts Medical Center is an internationally respected academic medical center and we pride ourselves not only on the sophistication of the care we deliver, but the compassionate way in which we provide it. And that starts with our employees.

Job Description

Graduate of an accredited medical assistant program. 

Under general supervision of licensed personnel, the Medical Assistant (MA) is responsible for continuous, efficient and smooth patient flow in the outpatient/ambulatory setting.  The MA is the patient liaison through both clinical and administrative responsibilities.  This position plays an important role in in the hospital’s revenue cycle process, clinical operations, and patient experience. The MA responds to hourly variations in patient volume, clinician and room availability to continually maximize efficient use of space and resources in the clinic; identifies and provides necessary clinical and administrative preparation pertaining to patient care according to protocols; assists with patient care as warranted and within their scope of practice.   

This combined position is designed for clinics where cross-trained MA’s are required to perform both administrative and clinical duties on a regular basis to ensure operational efficiency.   

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Assists in Direct/Indirect Patient Care:

• Exercises a high degree of customer service in all interactions with patients, internal and external customers.
• Escorts patient to exam room and prepares patient for provider visit.  This may include pediatric, adult, geriatric patients.  Checks to ensure patient comfort, privacy, and safety. 
• Determines fall risk according to policy and procedure for ambulatory clinics and implements appropriate measures to ensure patient’s safety.  
• Prepares exam room for each patient in accordance with needs of patient’s visit. 
• Controls and monitors patient flow to maximize efficient use of providers and exam rooms.  Responds to variations in patient volume, provider ability, and resources (e.g. early arrivals, no shows, providers who are absent, etc.) by making continual adjustments in room utilization and assignment.
• Performs and records vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, temperature, height and weight).
• Records patient’s stated level of pain. 
• Reviews list of medications with patient 
• Assists and/or chaperones providers/nursing with physical exams, treatments and procedures as necessary.  
• Provides a safe, comfortable, and clean environment for patients and families.  Uses proper techniques and procedures for hazardous waste disposal, universal precautions and for body mechanics.  Maintains clinic rooms according to Infection Prevention’s policy “Cleaning Schedule for Hospital Equipment in Ambulatory Clinics”. 
• Prepares medical record for patient visit, confirming accuracy with patient identifiers, entering chief complaint and social history. This may require interviewing the patient to obtain data.
• Notifies provider of patient requests for referrals and prescription renewals.
• Specimen collection: where appropriate, and as governed by clinic protocols, performs collection of specimens and/or ensures the necessary supplies and equipment are ready for the provider to use during the visit. 
• Performs Point of Care Testing (POC) as ordered including Urine dips, HCG testing, Strep A, HGB A1C, and glucose testing. Performs daily/monthly quality assurance for POC as outlined in hospital policy and procedures.  Maintains yearly competency per hospital policy. 
• Assists provider, patient and patient’s family with admitting patient into the hospital.  Makes out clothing list and facilitates smooth transition to inpatient unit.
• Monitors supply inventory for clinic and orders supplies as needed.  Maintains equipment.
• Stocks, maintains and rotates supplies in clinic rooms daily according to clinic demands.  Monitors expiration dates. 
• May be required to perform phlebotomy. Participation in the Tufts Medical Center Phlebotomy class required.  Completion and passing of national phlebotomy certification exam strongly advised.  
• Participates in unit specific quality improvement projects i.e. hand washing audits, time-outs, refrigerator/medication logs, daily/monthly code cart che