Medical Assistant I

GENERAL SUMMARY / OVERVIEW STATEMENT:

The Medical Assistant I, under the direction of the Medical Assistant Manager, works with a multidisciplinary team in providing a wide variety of clinical and technical functions on a daily basis. The MA's primary role is to assure efficient patient care and patient flow through a high-volume clinic, to maintain a neat, clean, and safe patient care environment, and to promote patient satisfaction by interacting with patients in a professional, friendly manner consistent with their needs.

Medical Assistants are responsible for, but not limited to:

• Assisting Physicians, Fellows, Nurse Practitioners, and Practice Nurses
• Acuity Triage on Yawkey 7 and Yawkey 9 with all visit types consistent with his/her training, annual competencies, and skills pass off
• Assisting with urgent visits; escorting patients for admissions or to other areas of the hospital.

PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Greets patient and family in waiting room and escorts to exam room
• Assists patient to exam room for visit. Identifies patients with 2 identifiers-checking wrist band
• Obtains accurate vital signs, height, weight, pain level, fatigue, fall history, smoking history, and allergies. Documents results of vitals, height, and weight, in EPIC in real time, before patient leaves clinic
• Promptly informs MD, NP, FELLOW, RN, Palliative Care, and any other health team member of any significant change in vital signs or acute symptoms
• Conducts a brief focused assessment of the patient, including interval changes
• Instructs patient how to prepare for the physician or nurse practitioner for any procedures
• Anticipates/sets up special equipment or supplies needed for visit
• Alert provider when the patient is ready and communicates all pertinent clinical information
• Assists patient through check-out process when visit is complete
• Cleans and prepares exam room for next patient
• Responds to the needs to expedite visits, keep on schedule, and maintain flow of patients.
• Communicates directly with provider on a daily basis about schedule.

Assists the provider with patient care during the visit:

• Adheres to hand hygiene and standard precaution guidelines
• Provides culturally competent and age specific care to patients in practice setting.
• Performs a variety of practice specific treatments and procedures according to standard policies and procedures. These may include but are not limited to:

• 12 lead EKG
• 02 saturation monitoring
• Prepares for area specific procedures.
• Phlebotomy
• Full set of Vital Signs (using portable and manual equipment)
• POC testing

Maintains neat, clean and safe exam rooms and treatment areas:

• Assures patient care areas are neat, clean, and professional-looking
• Assures exam and treatment rooms are properly stocked, equipped, and secured as applicable
• Assures all equipment is in good working order
• Cleans equipment after patient use per office protocols

Participates in daily operational activities necessary for a safe patient and staff environment. Maintains JCAHO standards on the unit:

• Checks unit emergency equipment for lock integrity and biomedical safety checks
• Assumes responsibility for the maintenance of neat, organized and well stocked rooms
• Assures all stock is within expiration date
• Cares for medical equipment and supplies and monitors sterilization of appropriate equipment
• Maintains the prescription line by gathering information and forwarding promptly to the appropriate provider
• Maintains yearly mandatory competencies which include fire/disaster safety, infection control, unit POCT, and practice specific competencies.

Promotes patient/customer satisfaction by interacting with patients in a professional, friendly manner consistent with their needs:

• Adheres to Human Resources policies with respect to attendance and dress code
• Adheres to MGH customer service philosophy in all patient interactions
• Communicates appropriately and effectively with patients
• Maintain professionalism to the highest standard
• Fully understand hospital policy and standards of care
• Fully understand HIPAA regulations and guidelines
• Fully understands Standards of behavior guidelines

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Medical Assistant Certification
• Basic Life Support Certification recommended
• Other academic preparation (such as current nursing student) may be considered in lieu of certification
• Graduate of an MGH approved Medical Assistant Program or equivalent

Minimum Required:

• High school diploma, GED or equivalent
• Certificate: Medical Assistant or Nursing Assistant

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

• Proficient in English language (read, speak, and write fluently and accurately)
• Proficient in standard arithmetic
• Ability to lift and transport patients using the appropriate physical technique in a safe manner for the patient and self
• Good communication skills and team player
• Sound judgment and problem-solving ability
• Ability to prioritize
• Ability to handle multiple tasks in a busy environment and able to organize
• Accuracy and attention to detail
• Able to work independently and as an active part of the multidisciplinary team

Massachusetts General Hospital is an Affirmative Action Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.