Medical Assistant

MedStar Health; Bestgate Terrace (MD); On-site; USD 26,932 - 47,182; Full time

Job summary

MedStar Health is looking for a Medical Assistant to join their Clinical Office - Cardiology team. This role includes performing clinical tasks such as venipuncture, patient vital signs measurements, and clerical support. The ideal candidate should have excellent customer service skills and at least 6 months of experience in an ambulatory care setting.

The position offers a schedule from Monday to Friday, 7am to 4pm, at the Annapolis location, with a salary range of $19.55 - $34.25 per hour.

Qualifications

• Less than 1 year of experience in an ambulatory care medical office or equivalent required.
• 6 months of experience in an ambulatory care medical office required for Cardiology offices.
• Prior experience as a medical assistant is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Performs clinical and administrative duties under the supervision of healthcare providers.
• Assists with patient examinations, documentation, and clerical tasks.
• Conducts motivational interviews and screenings for patient care.

Skills

Clinical competency

Customer service skills

Basic computer skills

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Completion of an accredited Medical Assistant program

Tools

Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems

Job description

About the Job

Department: Clinical Office - Cardiology
Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7am - 4pm

Address: 2002 Medical Parkway Annapolis, Maryland 21401

The ideal candidate with 6 months of experience and excellent customer service/patient interaction skills.

General Summary of Position

The Medical Assistant performs clinical and administrative duties in an ambulatory care setting under the supervision of a physician/provider and/or a registered nurse. Duties may include venipuncture, medication and vaccine administration, measurement and documentation of vital signs, assisting providers with patient exams, and telephone and clerical support. The position may float to other sites/locations within the system.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Contributes to the achievement of established department goals and objectives and adheres to department policies, procedures, quality and safety standards. Complies with governmental regulations and accreditation standards.
• Assists providers with patient preparation for the examination, minor office procedures and with the examination and education of patients. Supports other members of the clinical care team, assuring optimal best‑practice patient flow; manages variable and unpredictable patient volume throughout the workday. Provides clerical support and serves as backup for the Patient Services Coordinator or other team members as needed.
• Participates in daily team huddles to review and prepare for scheduled patient visits. Screens all patients regardless of visit type for preventative care needs, ongoing support, barriers to care, safety concerns and potential fall risk. Conducts surveillance for transitions of care, urgent/emergent care or follow up tasks such as retrieval of documents associated with referrals/testing.
• Conducts motivational interviews that include patient screening and/or coaching on disease management, ability, motivation to change, learning care needs and community outreach needs. Identifies potential behavioral health needs of patients using appropriate screening tools and notifies provider of findings.
• As part of a High‑Reliability Organization reports actual and potential problems concerning patients, families and associates using established reporting protocols for MedStar Health and/or work location. Participates in performance improvement initiatives to improve care quality and safety.
• Ensures ongoing compliance with regulatory accreditation and quality/safety standards by maintaining and auditing temperature logs, ensuring medication supplies are current/unexpired, checking and maintaining emergency equipment area free of clutter and other related tasks.
• Participates in population management activities, including awareness of the populations served and engages the patient in self‑management support, care/health goal setting, pre‑visit planning and the capturing of information that leads to health care improvement activities.
• Performs selected patient and laboratory testing consistent with the scope of the practice, including but not limited to Point of Care Testing, tuberculosis skin testing, electrocardiography, pulmonary function tests and vision and hearing testing (dependent upon provider and site requirements). Removes sutures/staples after the provider has examined the patient and written the appropriate order. Documents these activities in the patient's electronic medical record (EMR) or other venues based on policy.
• Documents clinically related activities accurately in the patient's EMR; performs required patient follow‑up: to include pap smears, Pb levels, HIV, mammograms and STD's. Collects and processes specimens, completes requisitions and documents in logbook or other applicable forms/records.
• Provides escort for patients and assists with patient discharge activities. Provides chaperoning for patients per policy.
• Fulfills infection prevention and environmental responsibilities as assigned, which many include: light cleaning during clinic hours and cleaning of equipment. Updates appropriate records of scheduled equipment maintenance and manages drug and medical supply inventories.
• Provides telephone screening services to gather information from patients, determine appropriate disposition and document per established telephone screening protocols.
• Under onsite provider supervision may insert intravenous catheter for physician initiated IV fluid therapy or administration of intravenous medications. Under direct onsite physician supervision may insert, remove and monitor urinary catheter for procedures and prepare and administer oral drugs and injections limited to intradermal, subcutaneous and intramuscular. May perform phlebotomy.
• Utilizes the EMR to propose patient medication refills for provider approval. Completes requisitions for tests (if applicable). Contacts insurance companies for pre‑authorizations for patient medications and specialty referrals, including insurance authorization.
• Floats to other sites/locations within the system as appropriate and performs all duties at multiple sites.
• Attends scheduled meetings, including but not limited to regular staff meetings and training classes for safety, infection control, OSHA, CLIA, BLS and others as required.
• Demonstrates behavior consistent with MedStar Health mission, vision, goals, SPIRIT values, objectives and patient care philosophy.

Education

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Completion of an accredited Medical Assistant program preferred.

Experience

• Less than 1 year, 6 months experience working in an ambulatory care medical office or equivalent required. Externship in a medical or ambulatory health setting strongly preferred. Completed externship program at MedStar Health may be substituted for the 6 months experience in ambulatory care medical office.
• For Cardiology offices only: 6 months experience working in an ambulatory care medical office or equivalent required, or Bachelor's degree in exercise physiology/science or related major, or successful completion of a cardiac technician course preferred.
• Prior experience as a medical assistant preferred.

Licenses and Certifications

• Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) – AAMA by the American Association of Medical Assistants within 1 year required.
• Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) – American Medical Technologists through American Medical Technologists or equivalent within 1 year required.
• CPR – Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation (includes BLS and NRP) for healthcare providers from either the American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross within 90 days required.
• Additional unit/specialty certifications may vary by department or business unit.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Clinical competency as verified within 90‑day orientation period and annually thereafter.
• Excellent customer service/patient interaction skills.
• Basic computer skills preferred.

Salary range: USD $19.55 - $34.25 per hour.