The Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) is selected by and is responsible to the Director of Nursing (DON). All CMAs will float to different stations, clinics and departments as required. Under general supervision, the CMA provides extensive technical nursing support to the center providers and staff. The CMA interviews patients and prepares them for treatment and examinations; assists providers with patient care including education, instruction and translation; maintains the examination rooms and equipment in readiness for use; orders and stocks rooms with supplies; performs other duties as assigned and/or relative to the nursing department and cross trains for other nursing departments to achieve organizational goals and program objectives.
A Certified Medical Assistant functions as a member of a collaborative health care team to create and maintain a Patient Centered Medical Home, where emphasis is on excellent communication; support of the patient is provided and tracked in a culturally competent, behaviorally enhanced setting supported by information technology.
Due to the nature of NHHC services, it may become necessary to require employees to work extended hours or other variations of the usual shift to ensure adequate care of patients and to maintain services to the community.
I. Must greet employees, customers, patients and general public in person or over the telephone in a courteous manner. Must use good listening skills at all times. Demonstrate positive attitude towards other employees, customers patients and the general public with good eye contact, pleasant voice, attentive and responsive to their needs.
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Records data regarding the patient’s medical condition including vital signs, the “reason for today’s visit” and completes the Electronic Health Records (EHR) patient intake.
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Prepares the necessary equipment and supplies for sterile procedures, assists as necessary during the procedure and gathers patient information for documentation.
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Prepares for and performs non-sterile procedures as instructed by the provider such as collection of non-sterile lab specimens and non-invasive procedures.
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Documents in the patient’s EHR:
- The chief complaint as voiced by the patient, “reason for today’s visit”.
2. The provider’s orders are carried out and documented as per NHHC Nursing Policy and Procedure Manual and PCMH, evidence-based guidelines.
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Teaches all patients about health maintenance and disease prevention as instructed by provider or established in the NHHC Nursing Policy and Procedures Manual, ensuring that patients participate in the decision-making process.
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Participates in all requirements for (National Committee for Quality Assurance) NCQA and Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) accreditation.
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Participates in patient care team daily and PRN “huddles” to prepare for scheduled patients.
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Follows up for continuity of care and Patient Portal requests for all lab work done and ensures open communication regarding patient status with providers and care team.
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Performs the prior authorizations for referred clinical care of patients, when unable to be completed by the social services team. Is responsible for providing accurate and complete data input for both referrals and diagnostic prior authorization requests, while providing excellent customer service.
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Performs clerical section duties ensuring continuity of care:
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Enters patient information in the Electronic Health Record (EHR).
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Assures that the medical reports needed are available, if not, makes contacts to obtain the results for the EHR, if possible, prior to the patient being seen, and obtains discharge summaries from the hospital and other facilities as needed. Scans documents into the EHR to maintain accurate and complete records.
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Communicates with provider to find appointment slots for patients requiring return visits within a short frame of time.
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Completes all pertinent information on encounters, lab, X-ray and referral documents.
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Answers, greets patients and screens telephone calls (Nurse On-Call) assuring proper handling of messages. Maintains accurate documentation on EHR of all incoming and outgoing calls.
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Completes the patient’s forms and letters, “Failure to Keep Appointment” cards, re-appointments and, other correspondence for mailing required on a daily basis.
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Must meet PCMH standards (audit standards) for completeness and accuracy.
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Maintains inventory and replenishes supplies as necessary.
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Orients new employees and students to the section assigned. There should be no instances in which a new employee or student reports to the Director of Nursing that they did not get a proper orientation. The orientation skills checkoff should be completed and signed off by the department supervisor upon completion of orientation.
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Must abide by dress code policy to maintain a professional and neat appearance. (For details see the Nursing Dress Code policy).
- Abides by the regulations, protocols and policies as indicated in the NHHC Employee Handbook, Code of Conduct, Safety Manual and the Nursing Policy and Procedure Manual.
XV. Must maintain confidentiality at all times according to NHHC policies and HIPAA rules.
- It is mandatory that the employee actively participates in Performance Improvement (PI).
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Cross trains to other nursing areas PRN as required by the DON.
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Promotes the NHHC mission statement.
- The CMA must gain knowledge of the PCMH model, principles, policies, and procedures by attending in services.
- Performs all duties to ensure that patients have a pleasant and satisfactory experience in the manner in which their health care is delivered, managed, and coordinated with both internal and external entities and in which the patient participates in the decision-making process.
- Actively participates in daily and PRN huddles, along with the provider and care team to prepare patients scheduled, review opportunities for same day access, and alert other disciplines for patients’ special needs.
- Performs duties within the scope of a Certified Medical Assistant as delegated by provider through the use of approved standing orders and or protocols.
- Ability to perform basic skills such as, but not limited to vital sign monitoring, EKG, ear lavage, injections.
- Assists as needed to draw blood and/or obtain laboratory specimens to include waive lab testing. Specimen labeled and prepared as per NHHC police and procedure.
- If not tested at NHHC, prepare specimen to be sent to reference lab following proper protocol.
- Acts as the NHHC Infection Control Nursing Department Designee as assigned, and tracks and coordinates all interactions with the Health Department when necessary.
- Acts as the NHHC Immunization Clinic Nursing Department Designee as assigned and will maintain adequate records as well as serve as the liaison between NHHC and all programs and entities involved with immunization and vaccine administration.
- Must follow job responsibilities within their scope of practice and in accordance with PCMH Standards of Patient Care, regulatory agencies and NHHC needs.
- Verifies that patients and their support person’s questions have been addressed and that appropriate educational materials are provided and are documented in the electronic medical records.
- Engages patient/support persons in understanding their care in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner.
- Works jointly with provider to maximize disease prevention and reinforce patient follow through with provider’s orders and instructions.
- Participates in mandatory Performance Improvement (PI) projects aimed at improving patient care, its outcomes, and efficiency.
- Will work closely with Supervisor, Providers, and Staff to effectively serve the patient, maximize patient care, and assure that patients receive the services needed.
- Assures continuity of care, including preventive care, by providing clinical medical services in accordance with requirements for clinical competence for CMA position. Has familiarity with referral processes and medications.
- Executes additional tasks and duties to support department and organization’s objectives and business needs.
JOB SPECIFICATIONS
Education/Experience:
- Certified Medical Assistant
- One to two years’ experience working in a medical setting, Pediatric, Adult Medicine OB/GYN or Family Medicine experience preferred.
- Current BLS/AED and hands-on experience.
Original diploma or transcripts from MA School or High School.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Ability to communicate and understand instructions from providers, patients and staff; medical terminology and concepts to maintain accurate records.
- Ability to establish and carry out specific courses of action.
- Ability to take corrective action in solving problems, to identify dimensions of a problem, determines potential causes and specifies alternative solutions.
- Ability to adapt and maintain helpful,andpleasant, customer friendly service to patients, fellow workers and the general public.
- Ability to conform to established NHHC Policies and Procedures.
- Ability to maintain a mature attitude when dealing with interpersonal conflicts, disruptions and time demands.
- Ability to function appropriately in emergency situations and relate to patients and their families.
Special Requirements:
- Current basic CPR certification through the American Heart Association (required).
