Medical Assistant

Job Description

Medical Assistant

Summary:

The Medical Assistant is part of the team concept in Norwalk Community Health Center’s health delivery system, which is devoted to the delivery of high quality, comprehensive primary health care to the people of the City of Norwalk and the surrounding towns regardless of the ability or inability to pay. Assist the Licensed Independent Practitioners (LIPs) in performing their duties and carrying on the necessary functions required in accordance with established policies and procedures.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

1.   Ensure the safe, productive, and efficient operation of the center through timely and attentive administrative and clinical support as directed by the LIPs.

2.   Ensure all patients enjoy a positive experience, treated with the care and compassion in accordance with NCHC’s mission.

3.   Ensure all patient records and related documents are managed and maintained timely, accurately, and consistent with all HIPAA and related regulations and requirements.

4.   Ensure all tasks provided and associated with patient care, patient administrative processes, and related duties complies with all regulatory and accreditation standards, as well as clinic policies and procedures. Instruct

5.   Develop favorable relationships with all patients. Educate patients and their family members, as instructed by the providers, with information related to appropriate in-home care.

6.   Establish favorable working relationships with all staff members associated with center operations.

7.   Uphold and consistently represent the values and mission of the organization at all times. Represent the organization in a highly professional manner at all times.

8.   Ensure compliance and attention to all corporate policies and procedures.

Core Competencies:

• Capacity to gather clinical data including vital signs, current medications, history of previous illness, procedures and surgeries.
• Able to maintain documentation in the clinic record to ensure accurate tracking of the patients medical treatment.
• Knowledge and ability to use requisite tools, systems, technology and equipment in the collection of patient data.
• Utilize computers in the collection, management, updating and reporting of patient records.
• Ability to work with a diverse, underserved patient population.
• Capability to schedule/inform patients regarding procedures including lab tests, and other procedures.
• Able to follows procedures for handling various specimens/cultures including throat, wound, stool, urine, sputum, blood or other.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None

Position Requirements:

1. Prepares patient’s medical records prior to clinical exam.
2. Prepares patient for clinical exam/visit, including the collection of typical patient vitals (blood pressure, temperature, height, weight etc.), handles and obtains various specimens, performs tests and procedures, assists with form completion, documents medication refill requests to route to provider, and updates allergy and pharmacy information in the patient’s record.
3. Performs appropriate, guideline-based clinical treatment and preventive care services in collaboration with LIPs to achieve optimal team-based care outcomes.
4. Assists provider with clinical visit.
5. Follows through with post-visit duties.
6. Assists with office duties as assigned.
7. Provides service in a manner that is appropriate for the patient’s age; demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to meet the patient’s physical, psychosocial, educational and safety needs.
8. Attend seminars and maintain all certification requirements for continuing education and best practice.
9. Participates in quality strategies to evaluate compliance with standards and to identify opportunities to improve patient outcomes.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent.

Certifications/license/registration:

Basic CPR training (must be kept current)

Preferred graduate from an accredited Medical Assistant school.

Experience:

• Demonstrated success with clear thinking and ability to reorganize as needed.
• Demonstrated success in working independently, prioritization and problem solving.
• Demonstrated success in organization abilities.
• Demonstrated success in computer skills including ability to use computer for scheduling, word documents and reasonable keyboard skills.
• Demonstrated success in customer service/patient services or working with the general public, preferably in a medical care facility.
• Demonstrated success in managing difficult customer situations.
• Significant knowledge of medical practices and procedures in a primary care environment.
• Demonstrated success and experience with direct patient services (e.g. phlebotomy) and the proper knowledge and use of medical devices and equipment.

Physical demands/Environment

Working Conditions

Requires good verbal and written communication skills.  Must be able to speak and read the English language. Ability to move freely (standing, stooping, walking, bending, pushing and pulling) and lift up to a maximum of fifty (50) pounds without assistance. Work is primarily facility-based in an outpatient ambulatory care clinic.

Blood borne pathogen exposure risk

Category I:  Job classification includes ALL employees who have occupational exposure* to blood borne pathogens* (blood or body fluids) while performing their job duties.

 

Norwalk Community Health Center Mission, Vision and Values

Mission

To provide quality, innovative care that enriches the lives our patients

Vision:

To lead our community toward the achievement of the best possible health

Values:

The work of Norwalk Community Health Center is guided and informed by our beliefs and commitment to:

Compassion – we feel solidarity with our patients and our coworkers; we feel one another’s joy and sorrow.

Respect – we treat patients, guests, and fellow associates with sensitivity and empathy.

Dignity – we acknowledge each individual, their cultural diversity and that of the community we serve.

Quality – we strive to deliver the highest quality service by continuously improving our services and processes.

Excellence – we endeavor to become the benchmark, putting forth our personal and professional best.

Limitations and Disclaimers:

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for this position. All job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.  Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position.  Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor or other clinic management in compliance with Federal and State laws.

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and/or abilities.  To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.  Continued employment remains on an “at-will” basis.