Medical Assistant-West Palm Beach Medical

Hcdpbc; Palm Beach Lakes (FL); On-site; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The Medical Assistant supports a broad range of administrative and clinical duties to help maintain efficient clinic operations and quality patient care. Responsibilities include scheduling, medical record upkeep, vital signs collection, SDOH documentation, and patient preparation for examinations as directed by the physician and clinic leadership.

Additional duties cover POCT, assisting with examinations and procedures, injections and vaccines, and ensuring proper documentation, safety, and

Responsibilities

• Verify patient identity and prepare exam rooms per established policies and procedures.
• Obtain and accurately document vital signs, height, weight, and other relevant clinical information for visits.
• Interview patients and collect/update health histories, including social determinants of health (SDOH).
• Request medical records from outside providers when care was received elsewhere.
• Order, perform, and document point-of-care testing (POCT) and health maintenance screenings.
• Assist providers with examinations, procedures, labs, and other clinical activities.
• Administer subcutaneous and intramuscular injections and vaccines as directed.
• Coordinate a warm handoff to behavioral health team for positive screening results.
• Complete checkout instructions, schedule follow-ups, and educate patients per orders.
• Document results and coordinate care with hospitals, labs, and other providers.
• Maintain POCT logs, sterilize instruments, handle waste per OSHA and safety standards.
• Assist with supply management and participate in emergency preparedness activities.

Job description

Job Summary

The Medical Assistant performs a variety of administrative and clinical duties under the direction of Practice Management, the Senior Clinical Nurse, and the Physician. Responsibilities include supporting efficient patient care and clinic operations by scheduling appointments, maintaining accurate medical records, obtaining and documenting vital signs, social determinants of health (SDOH), and medical histories, preparing patients for examinations, and administering medications as directed by the physician.

Key Responsibilities

Patient Preparation and Clinical Intake

• Verify patient identity in accordance with established policies and procedures and prepare exam rooms to ensure they are clean, disinfected, organized, and ready for patient visits.
• Obtain and accurately document vital signs, height, weight, and other relevant clinical information in preparation for patient visits.
• Interview patients and collect, update, and document pertinent information, including social determinants of health (SDOH), family, social, medical, and surgical histories, medication reconciliation, and required health screenings.
• Request medical records from outside providers or facilities in accordance with established procedures when patients report receiving care from another provider or being hospitalized since their previous visit.

Clinical Care and Diagnostic Support

• Order, perform, and document point-of-care testing (POCT) and Uniform Data System (UDS)-required health maintenance screenings in accordance with standing order protocols; promptly communicate abnormal POCT results to the provider.
• Assist providers with patient examinations, procedures, laboratory specimen collection, and other clinical activities as requested.
• Perform authorized clinical procedures and treatments as ordered, including administration of subcutaneous and intramuscular injections and vaccines, POCT, suture or staple removal, EKGs, nebulizer treatments, and ear lavage.
• Coordinate a warm handoff to the appropriate behavioral health team member in response to a positive behavioral health screening result.

Patient Follow-Up, Care Coordination, and Documentation

• Complete patient checkout activities by providing instructions and education in accordance with provider orders, scheduling follow-up appointments, coordinating health maintenance screenings, and facilitating completion of outstanding orders.
• Communicate diagnostic and other test results to patients in accordance with provider instructions and established result-tracking procedures.
• Coordinate with hospitals, physician offices, laboratories, and other appropriate providers to support continuity of care and timely patient follow-up.
• Scan, label, and accurately file outside records, test results, and other documents into the patient's medical record in accordance with established documentation procedures.
• Enter incident reports, patient complaints, and grievances into the electronic event reporting system, as appropriate.

Clinical Operations, Safety, and Emergency Response

• Maintain required clinical logs and perform control testing for POCT equipment in accordance with established procedures.
• Clean and sterilize instruments; properly handle and dispose of contaminated supplies and biohazardous waste; and maintain compliance with OSHA guidelines and other applicable safety standards.
• Prepare specimens for internal or external laboratory analysis, including proper labeling, completion of requisition forms, adherence to specimen-handling protocols, and coordination of laboratory pickup.
• Assist with supply management by communicating needs to the designated ordering personnel, monitoring inventory, and tracking and removing expired supplies from clinical use in accordance with established procedures.
• Participate in emergency preparedness, response, and management activities as required, including deployment to Red Cross shelters and response to natural or man-made disasters, threats, or other emergencies on behalf of Palm Beach County.

Additional Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities described above are intended to provide a general overview of the position and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all assigned duties, responsibilities, or activities. Employees may be required to perform other job-related duties as assigned to support departmental operations, organizational objectives, regulatory requirements, or patient care needs. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.