Medical Assistant, Palliative Care

St. Luke's University Health Network; Bethlehem (Northampton County); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Luke’s University Health Network is seeking a Medical Assistant to support the Practice Operations team. The role focuses on pre-visit planning, preparing patients for examinations, and coordinating with providers to deliver high-quality care.

You will assist with clinical tasks, maintain clean and stocked examination rooms, and participate in departmental activities to improve efficiency and patient experience across our Bethlehem practice locations.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent required.
• One year of clinical experience OR graduate of Medical Assistant program required.
• BLS/CPR: Current or within 60 days of hire; through Red Cross or American Heart Association.
• Customer service experience is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Pre-visit planning by reviewing and updating patients' medical records with recent test results and correspondence.
• Prepare patients for examination: record vital signs, update meds and allergies, obtain visit reason and demographics.
• Assist in procedures and injections within State guidelines; keep exam rooms clean and stocked.
• Coordinate with providers and Care Team about discharges, ED visits, labs and specialist visits.
• Participate in department activities and quality improvement initiatives.
• Disposal of Bio-Hazardous waste per protocol.

Skills

Patient care

Communication

Team collaboration

Administrative support

Education

Graduate of Medical Assistant program

High School diploma or equivalent

Tools

Electronic Health Records

Job description

St. Luke’s is proud of the skills, experience and compassion of its employees. The employees of St. Luke’s are our most valuable asset! Individually and together, our employees are dedicated to satisfying the mission of our organization which is an unwavering commitment to excellence as we care for the sick and injured; educate physicians, nurses and other health care providers; and improve access to care in the communities we serve, regardless of a patient’s ability to pay for health care.

The Medical Assistant, Practice Operations’ primary responsibility is to assist in the delivery of healthcare support for the practice. The Medical Assistant is a professional member of the interdisciplinary team and consistently demonstrates and promotes the values of the organization.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conducts pre-visit planning by reviewing and updating the patient’s medical record prior to the appointment with recent test results and correspondence and determines needed services by conferring with the provider.
• Completes pre-charting of all value-based pieces up to five days prior to patient’s appointment. Sends messages to the Care Team, when warranted.
• Responsible for preparing patients for examination and escorting them into the exam room. Preparation includes the following: height, weight and vital signs; update medication list; update allergies in record; update personal, family and social history; inquire about smoking status; obtain the reason for the visit. Assists in capturing demographic information.
• Provides other patient care services as needed/directed: keeps exam rooms clean; maintains clinical supplies in exam rooms; cleans and autoclaves contaminated instruments; gives injections or immunizations within State guidelines.
• Communicates and coordinates with providers or Care Team regarding hospital discharge, Emergency Department visits, consulting physicians, community resources, disease management, patient self-management, patient and/or family education on chronic conditions, and labs or other testing as well as specialist visits.
• Actively participates in department activities; attends departmental meetings; actively participates as a team member in resolution of problems as they are identified; analyzes current procedures.
• Responsible to dispose Bio-Hazardous waste and regular waste per practice protocol.
• Maintains vaccine temperature logs, inventory and ordering of medical supplies (i.e.: vaccines, medications), disposing of expired sample medication, and stocking rooms to set par levels.
• Performs other administrative tasks (e.g. check-in and check-out functions, opening and closing office procedures, etc…) as needed.
• Brings suggestions for improvement to the attention of Practice Managers and Providers for consideration.
• Actively participates in maintaining and/or improving quality improvement initiatives.
• Other related duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS:

Requires sitting, standing and walking for extended periods of time (up to 8 hours at time). Occasional requirement to lift up to 25 pounds. Occasionally push wheelchairs with patients weighing up to 325 pounds.

EDUCATION:

High School degree or equivalent required.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

One year of clinical experience OR graduate of Medical Assistant program required. Two years of experience in similar healthcare setting is preferred. Customer service experience is strongly preferred. BLS/CPR: Current or within 60 days of hire; through the American Red Cross or American Heart Association. Where applicable, a 30/60/90 day on-boarding checklist will be completed during the on-boarding process for new or transferred employees to confirm mastery of skills relevant to the service line. This on-boarding checklist will be acknowledged by practice leadership or a provider when appropriate; records will be retained at the practice location.

St. Luke’s University Health Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer.