Patient Service Coordinator/Medical Assistant

The Department of Neurology is seeking a Patient Service Coordinator/ Medical Assistant (PSC/MA) for the Johns Hopkins Sleep Center at Howard County General Hospital. The PSC/MA will offer friendly, courteous, and confidential assistance to every patient to ensure that the patient has a positive experience while at Johns Hopkins Sleep Center at Howard County General Hospital. Maintain accurate information on each patient to facilitate the patient encounter. Use automated systems to expedite patient scheduling, pre-registration, check-in, and check-out. Work with others in a team environment.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

Patient Service Coordinator responsibilities 50%

• Schedule patients for laboratory tests and consultations.
• Relay information to patients regarding preparation for laboratory tests and examinations.
• Coordinate visits either within the department or between several departments. Telephone and interview patients and/or family members to obtain accurate pre-registration information and to confirm appointments.
• Verify and enter pre-registration and insurance information into the computer system and prepare daily printed schedules for designated areas.
• Obtain and/or verify patient's demographic data by phone or in person.
• Confirm appointments by telephone and/or mail.
• Fill vacancies due to cancellations.
• Obtain pre-certifications as required by patients' health care insurers or managed care providers.
• Register patients for clinical appointments using computerized database.
• Inform patients of costs of care being provided, and guide them to appropriate resources for further information, guidance, or assistance.
• Answer phones and provide routine information to callers.
• If a patient has to be admitted to the hospital, take care of administrative tasks of admission so that the patient may go directly to the floor.
• Collect time of service payments, issues receipts, and prepare cash settlement records.
• Discuss patient charges, if appropriate, with patients and/or patients' families.
• Mail lab and patient result letters, file, create and maintain paper and electronic patient charts, provide accurate and timely messages to MDs, fulfill HIPAA compliant ingoing and outgoing medical records requests, manage incoming and outgoing faxes, provide accurate appointment entry/check in/ check out.

Medical Assistant Responsibilities 50%

• The Certified Medical Assistant (MA) has duties and responsibilities related to patient care in the ambulatory clinic environment.
• The individual displays responsible behaviors, communicates effectively to others and functions as a member of the healthcare team.
• The CMA functions under the direct supervision and authority of the physician when performing clinical tasks during patient care.
• The CMA reports to the clinic operations manager, who is responsible for administrative supervision, staff development, and orientation of the MA to the areas policies and procedures.
• The CMA must demonstrate competency in all skills related to the performance of patient care.
• The CMA maintains an inventory of examination/procedure room supplies, assists in the organization of efficient patient flow, and organizes the clinic environment to assure patient safety.
• The CMA demonstrates problem-solving skills as they relate to patient care activities, provides guidance for and acts as a role model for Medical Assistants in the clinical area.

Clinical

• Participates in the care of the patient, under the direct supervision of the Physician and in collaboration with the healthcare team.
• Collects patient information and assessment data.
• Obtains and records patients vital signs: temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, weight and height.
• Reports assessment findings to practitioner, and records on appropriate documentation forms in a timely manner.
• Obtains additional data from patient and significant other based on initial data collection.
• Performs chart review prior to clinic visit to obtain historical data.
• Monitors patient status recognizing and reporting abnormal findings or changes in condition.
• Organizes patient care activities based on assessment findings.
• Confirms and clarifies written orders prior to implementation of delegated tasks.
• Maintains and uses principles of aseptic techniques and infection control when performing clinical duties and tasks.
• Assists practitioner in identified patient procedures/treatments/examinations, (preparation, positioning, supplies, equipment).
• Proactively problem-solves and identifies solutions to barriers to safety.
• Appropriately obtains and manages specimens, including labeling, form completion, transport to laboratories, and log maintenance.
• Performs quality control for waived testing. Acts as a trainer for new employee and extern orientation, and coordinates activities related to proficiency for these employees.
• Recognizes emergency situations and implements emergency procedures according to clinic guidelines.
• Administers first aid, CPR, and maintains emergency equipment and supplies.
• Provides appropriate patient education, health information materials and community resource lists as directed, and maintains educational supplies. Identifies patients need for additional information and refers to appropriate healthcare resources.
• Administers breath tests and capsules.
• Take pre-visit vitals, including but not limited to, weight, blood pressure, temperature.
• Obtain lab results, and under MD guidance, does routine patient notification of results.

Unit Operations

• In close partnership with health care team, assures smooth and efficient patient flow and clinical operation.
• Assists patients to exam room and prepares patients for examination.
• Assists patients in wheelchairs and stretchers with transfers to and from exam tables, procedure tables, and scales utilizing proper body mechanics and safety measures.
• Identifies patients with special needs.
• Directs patients with medical complaints who call or arrive to the clinic to the patients physician and/or emergency room for assistance.
• Orders, stocks, and maintains exam rooms and clinic areas with standard levels of supplies, medications, linens, nourishments, forms and equipment.
• Recognizes patient care trends affecting unit supplies and notifies clinic manager.
• Operates clinical equipment according to equipment procedures including safety and quality control checks.
• Checks clinic area and rooms for malfunctioning equipment and general maintenance problems on a regular basis.
• Reports findings to appropriate person or arranges for repairs as required.
• Ensures that soiled linen, needle containers and potentially infectious waste are appropriately disposed and removed from the clinic and exam area according to the infection control guidelines.
• Performs related and delegated tasks, which includes requests for prescription refills, taking and relaying messages, directing patient flow and running errands.
• Works with healthcare team to assure smooth and efficient patient flow and clinical operation.
• Problem solves obstacles to throughput process and notifies manager and patients of wait time.
• Assist with front desk duties, including but not limited to filing, scanning, purging records, clearing the fax machine and distributing documents appropriately, printing AVS.

• High School Diploma/GED and certification/registration as a MedicalAssistant (e.g. CMA, AAMA, RMA, AMT, NAHP) required.
• If not currently certified/registered, must become certified/registered within 180 days (6 months) of date of hire.
  

• One year of work experience in customer service.
• Current CPR certification required.
  

• Must maintain MA and CPR certification/registration during employment.
  

• Additional education may be substituted for required experience, to theextent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.
  

Classified Title: Patient Service Coordinator/Medical Assi
Job Posting Title (Working Title):Patient Service Coordinator/Medical Assistant
Role/Level/Range: ATO 40/E/02/OD
Starting Salary Range: $16.20 - $28.80 HRLY (Commensurate with experience)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: M-F 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Exempt Status:Non-Exempt
Location:JH at Howard County Hospital
Department name: SOM Neuro Sleep
Personnel area: School of Medicine