Medical Assistant

Boston Medical Center (BMC) is more than a hospital. It´s a network of support and care that touches the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in need each year. It is the largest and busiest provider of trauma and emergency services in New England. Emphasizing community-based care, BMC is committed to providing consistently excellent and accessible health services to all—and is the largest safety-net hospital in New England. The hospital is also the primary teaching affiliate of the nationally ranked Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and a founding partner of Boston HealthNet – an integrated health care delivery systems that includes many community health centers. Join BMC today and help us achieve our Vision 2030 which is a long-term goal to make Boston the healthiest urban population in the world.

Position: Medical Assistant

Department: Otolaryngology

Schedule: Full Time

POSITION SUMMARY:

Performs clinic support in both the clinical and administrative areas:

In the clinical area the practice assistant, under the direction and supervision of a licensed Nurse or Provider, and in accordance with hospital policies, procedures, protocols, and standards of practice participates in the delivery of patient care.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

Delivers care in a non-judgmental, non-discriminatory manner that is sensitive to and demonstrates respect for patients. Duties include:

Clinical Support: Under the direction of the licensed Nurse or Provider, performs a variety of appropriately delegated patient care interventions for patients and their families.

1. Collaborates with the licensed Nurse/clinic manager, as a member of the interdisciplinary team throughout the shift to determine appropriate work assignment and priorities, as well as communicates status of delegated task completion and outcome of patient data findings. Maintains timely ongoing verbal communication.

2. Monitors patient flow including waiting room activity and communicating wait time updates to patients. Informs nursing staff, technical staff and/or supervisor of arrival of patients.

3. Conducts pre-visit chart review and preparations for upcoming visits, including:

• Identification and documentation of patient care needs based on clinic guidelines and protocols (e.g. live interpreter needs, Hoyer-lift).
• Enters order for labs and tests to be completed at upcoming visit per clinic guidelines and protocols.

4. Greets patient in waiting room and escorts to exam room

5. Uses recognized and accurate medical terminology and abbreviations for all documentation, avoiding the use of unapproved abbreviations, per Hospital policy.

6. Assists with intake process in the following areas as determined by departmental needs:

• Checks two patients identifiers
• Accurately collects and documents in the medial records vital signs, chief complaint/reason for visit, and medical/family/social history
• Enter allergies and smoking status
• Documents current medications and prescriptions that need to be renewed
• Obtains immunization records/history, and enters findings into patient medical record
• Instructs patient on how to prepare for the provider (assisting as necessary)
• Anticipates/sets up special equipment and/or supplies needed for visit
• Administers preventative/population health management screens and questionnaires (e.g. PHQ2 and other behavioral health screens) and records in medical record.
• Arranges refills information for provider approval
• Downloads glucometer and other device data for provider review
• Alerts the provider when patient is ready and communicates abnormalities in findings (e.g. elevated temperature )
• Complies with department documentation standards to ensure a complete and accurate patient record
• Update patient pharmacy information

7. Collects, labels, sends and may deliver specimens with appropriate laboratory slips and or requisitions.

8. Identifies emergency/crisis situations and initiates appropriate response actions within the scope of his/her role, including immediate communication of such events to the licensed Nurse/Physician.

9. Under direction of the licensed nurse or designee maintains competence of tasks and performs tasks in relation to a variety of technical skills which may include but are not limited to:

• Cast/splint care
• Guaiac, sugar and acetone, urine pH
• Glucose finger stick
• Application of external monitors
• GU irrigation set up
• Routine EKGs
• Hearing Test
• PO