Job Summary
The Medical Assistant is an integral part of the health care team. The Medical Assistant assists the health care team in a professional manner in the community health center setting. Responsibilities include administering quality nursing care, immunizations and health education to patients of all ages in accordance with established nursing standards; assisting in the lab and pharmacy as appropriate; working with all health center personnel to ensure an efficient and safe environment of care.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Medical Assistant performs the following duties as assigned.
- Provides clinical services.
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Maintains clinical expertise and competency (to include age specific competency) as well as demonstrates thorough knowledge of procedures to deliver quality primary health care.
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Documents delivery of health care and nursing process in accordance with the Centers policies and procedures in a timely, accurate, and consistent manner.
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Educates the patient and family/significant others about diagnosis and the plan of care. Acts as a resource for facilitating communication when necessary.
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Coordinates the delivery of patient care provided by the health care team.
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Interacts with health center personnel and assists providers to ensure optimal patient care and to obtain optimum patient flow and increased patient satisfaction.
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Identifies and responds promptly to changes in patients condition and/or clinic environment.
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Coordinates and delegates the timely processing of patient referrals, prescribed medications, and other identified needs of the patient.
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Acts as a resource within the clinic to other staff members in regards to patient care.
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Participates as a team member and promotes teamwork by assisting others with patient care and department activities.
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Maintains adequate inventory of medical forms, supplies, in-house medications, STD medications and immunizations and completes monthly inventory reports as required.
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Performs maintenance and controls on medical equipment and documents results.
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Administers all medications accurately using the five (5) rights of medication administration, documenting medications according to health center policy and procedures.
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Upon completion of laboratory skill assessment, performs all laboratory functions according to Provider orders.
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Fulfills administrative duties.
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Assists in maintaining an efficient, safe, secure, orderly, and aseptic environment of care for all patients and employees.
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Is familiar with and abides by OSHA Standards, Hazardous Materials, Universal Precautions, use of personal protective equipment, Evacuation, Fire, Disaster, and Safety Plans.
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If bilingual, translates in Spanish between non-Spanish speaking staff and Spanish speaking patients as requested.
Performs all other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Required
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Knowledge of basic principles of health promotion, prevention and motivation
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Knowledge of protocols in general and an ability to quickly gain specific knowledge of the Centers current operational protocols
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Knowledge of medical terminology and appropriate abbreviations
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Demonstrates knowledge of the Texas Nursing Practice Act
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Ability to read and comprehend medical instructions, short correspondence, and memos
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Ability to document, with clarity, all information relevant to a patients needs
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Ability to effectively present information in small group situations to patients, Center staff, and the general public. Ability to prepare statistical and administrative reports
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Ability to work cooperatively with community agency personnel to coordinate services for patients
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Ability to use a glucometer and interpret the results
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Ability to use office equipment including but not limited to computers, fax machines, telephones and copiers
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Ability to prioritize and allocate resources
Preferred
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Spanish speaking and writing skills
Credentials and Experience
Required
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Certification of formal medical assistant education program.
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Current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for Healthcare Professionals Certification
Preferred
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One (1) year of practice experience as an MA giving direct patient care
Special Requirements
The employee must be able to lift and/or move more than 50 pounds. Requires full range of body motion including handling and lifting patients, manual and finger dexterity and eye/hand coordination. Requires sitting, standing and walking for extensive periods of time. Requires working under stressful conditions or working irregular hours. Requires frequent exposure to communicable diseases, body fluids, toxic substances, medicinal preparations and other conditions common to a clinic environment. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Ability to work with a moderate noise level in the work environment is required.
