MEDICAL ASSISTANT Correctional Facility

 

SUMMARY

Provides medical assistant services to incarcerated individuals, assists physicians and mid-level practitioners (providers) with patient care.

To perform all clinical functions in a physician’s office. To include but not limited to: Assisting the physician with treatments, obtain specimens from patients and process properly, maintaining medical information and filing/scanning, maintain sample supplies, ordering and maintaining clinical supplies as needed, patient education, obtaining histories and vitals from patients, triage patient calls, prescription refills, call backs for normal or abnormal results as per physician direction, prior authorizations as needed, telephone answering and appointment scheduling as needed.

JOB DUTIES

Prepares patients for provider visits according to approved policies and procedures i.e. reason for visit, history (past medical, family and social), symptoms, problems, weight, height, vital signs, medications, allergies.

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Administers medications to patients as ordered by a physician i.e. vaccinations.

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Assists physicians with procedures as requested.

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Notifies providers of lab and test results.

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Collects specimens as ordered by a physician and performs limited lab tests on site as ordered by the physician.

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Performs tests as ordered by physician.

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Maintains equipment and controls including refrigerator temperatures if applicable.

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Responsible for patient and equipment safety.

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Communicates and interacts effectively with patients and families, physicians, peers and other health team members to maximize successful patient outcomes.

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Assists in the facilitation of smooth patient flow. Greets patients and families courteously.

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Maintains good communication with physician and coworkers.

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Assures adequate amounts of medical supplies and medications are available and stocked appropriately.

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Sterilizes instruments and instrument packs if applicable.

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Maintains inventory of drug samples and inventory and rotates stock to make sure oldest is used first. Also, checks expiration dates monthly.

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Receives prescription refills calls and are appropriately sent to the pharmacy under a physician’s direct supervision and are thoroughly documented in the patient record by the end of the business day the prescriptions were taken care of.

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Assures documentation in the medical records is complete including lot numbers for vaccines and samples.

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Performs administrative duties as requested. To include but not limited to: Appointment scheduling and follow up appointment scheduling as needed, telephone etiquette including message taking and recalling patients, Picking up, opening and distributing mail, Obtain authorizations as needed, Obtaining co-payments and self payment amounts from patients.

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Maintains exam rooms/infirmary and workstation and ensures cleanliness.

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Triage patient clinical calls.

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Performs venipuncture as ordered by the provider if applicable.

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Schedule tests or procedures for patients as appropriate.

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Administering various vaccinations to patients as directed by physician.

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Maintains medical information and filing and or scanning.

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Use of Meditech, Medisoft, Medisoft Clinical EMR or other EMR.

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Follows appropriate chain of command for reporting issues such as grievances, patient complaints and staff issues.

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Demonstrates knowledge of emergency procedures.

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Demonstrates professionalism at all times. Treats others with respect.

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Offers assistance to other staff when able.

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Other duties as assigned.

CORRECTIONAL FACILITY SECURITY AND SAFETY

• Comply with all correctional facility security policies, including staff identification, access control, movement restrictions, and contraband prevention.
• Coordinate with correctional officers regarding patient movement, clinic access, escorts, and other security-related needs.
• Maintain awareness of the secure environment and promptly report suspicious activity, threats, contraband, or safety concerns.
• Follow established procedures for handling sharps, medical equipment, laboratory specimens, and other potentially hazardous materials.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with incarcerated individuals and avoid unauthorized communication, personal relationships, or preferential treatment.
• Follow facility protocols for patient identification, observation, and access to clinical areas.
• Report injuries, workplace incidents, security breaches, and suspected abuse or neglect through established reporting channels.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND PATIENT SAFETY

• Recognize and promptly report signs of medical distress or changes in a patient's condition.
• Activate the facility's emergency response process and summon licensed clinical staff and correctional personnel when necessary.
• Provide basic first aid or CPR within the employee's current training and certification.
• Maintain required emergency response certifications as applicable to the position.
• Follow established protocols for infection control, personal protective equipment, exposure incidents, and hazardous materials.
• Assist clinical personnel during emergencies as directed and within the employee's training and assigned responsibilities.
• Participate in required safety training, emergency drills, and infection prevention education.

 

 SPECIFIC JOB DEMANDS

Strength: Light Work - Lifting, Carrying, Pushing, Pulling 20 Lbs. occasionally, frequently up to 10 Lbs., or negligible amount constantly. Can include walking and or standing frequently even though weight is negligible. Can include pushing and or pulling of arm and or leg controls.

Reaching: Frequently - Extending hand(s) or arm(s) in any direction.

Handling: Frequently - Seizing, holding, grasping, turning, or otherwise working with hand or hands. Fingers are involved only to the extent that they are an extension of the hand, such as to turn a switch or shift automobile gears.

Fingering: Frequently - Picking, pinching, or otherwise working primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand or arm as in handling.

Talking: Frequently - Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word to impart oral information to clients or to the public and to convey detailed spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.

Hearing: Frequently - Perceiving the nature of sounds by ear.

Near Acuity: Frequently - Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less.

Accommodation: Frequently - Adjustment of lens of eye to bring an object into sharp focus. This factor is required when doing near point work at varying distances from the eye.

Color Vision: Frequently - Ability to identify and distinguish colors.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

Preferred graduate of a medical assistant program.

Sufficient experience may be substituted for the educational requirement.

Must possess great attention to detail.

Must be able to accurately type and be efficient with data entry equipment. Must have the ability to apply appropriate rules of grammar, spelling and punctuation. Knowledge of computers is a necessity.

Must possess the ability to prioritize activities, organize work and problem solve.

Communications skills both verbal and written must be above average to excellent. Must be able to communicate with public sector by telephone use and in person. Must be able to deal with anxious and angry people. Must be able to communication with Administrative Staff, Managers, Attorneys, Physicians and all hospital staff with due respect and tact.

Understanding of confidentiality rules is a must without exception.

Current BLS Healthcare Provider card.

 WORKING CONDITIONS

Clear speaking voice, seeing with or without mechanical devices, hearing, sitting, walking, reaching, typing, computer usage, standing and lifting.

Use of computers, printers, fax machines, copiers, telephone and paper shredders.

Must have ability to exhibit independent judgment skills and show initiative.

Ability to use tact and poise in representing MMC.

Work with minimal direction and assistance and frequent interruptions. Must be able to multitask.

Must be able to work first shift but there maybe times that there will be additional hours that will be needed on short notice.

May come in contact with blood or body fluids so knowledge of aseptic technique and infection prevention i.e. PPE and hand washing imperative.

DISCLOSURE

MMC commits to review, under the intent of this standard, and in coordination with medical professional opinion’s and physical demands job analysis performed by certified professionals, an individual’s ability to be reasonably accommodated within the role they are responsible and qualified to perform.

MMC is committed to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) and providing equal opportunity employment for qualified persons with disabilities. All employment practices and activities are conducted on a nondiscriminatory basis. Meadville Medical Center will follow any state or local law that provides individuals with disabilities greater protection that the ADA.

Every effort has been made to make your job description as complete as possible. However, this in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific tasks does not exclude them from the position if the task is similar, related, or is a logical assignment to the position, or is imperative for patient care and to meet emergency situations.