Department Overview

The Department of Neurological Surgery provides care to patients of all ages who have experienced neurological symptoms, neuro-trauma, or disorders of the nervous system requiring medical or surgical intervention. Diagnostic groups commonly cared for include: brain tumor, spinal tumor, brain injury, spinal cord injury, vertebral and/or spinal cord abnormalities, hydrocephalus, intracranial hemorrhage, craniovertebral junction abnormalities (CVJ), transient ischemic attack (TIA) or ischemic stroke, autoimmune disorders, Parkinson disease, seizures, headaches, episodic disorders, mental status changes, meningitis, encephalopathy, congenital disorders of the skull/spine/nervous system, and neurological problems involving respiratory compromise.

The Medical Assistant provides a wide range of clinical and non-clinical support duties as part of the medical care team. The team includes various providers, residents, fellows, technicians, as well as additional learners and professionals within in the practice. The person in this position functions within the Medical Assistant Scope of Practice and adheres to the MA Standard Work expectations as defined by OHSU. Primary duties of this position are; rooming of patients, collecting patient vital signs, point of care testing, documentation in IHR, maintaining clinic flow, cleaning and stocking exam rooms, assisting with procedures and treatments. Work may take place in-person in clinic or using telecommunications or telehealth equipment. Requires strong written and verbal communication with efficiency and diplomacy. Service excellence, kindness, and compassion to all customers, including patients and other OHSU team members is an absolute requirement. Participates in ongoing professional development and competency assessment, and participates in ongoing quality assurance and quality improvement initiatives. The Medical Assistant must have a commitment to continuous, ongoing improvement of processes and clinical operations. This includes participating in OHSU Performance Excellence (OPEx) training, sharing knowledge and learnings with others, participating in regular and ongoing process improvement reporting mechanisms (huddles, improvement rounds, abnormality trackers), as well as completing process improvement projects as assigned and appropriate for scope of work and classification. Performs requirements for staff members as outlined in OHSU Core Competencies, policies, and procedures. The Medical Assistant works under the clinical direction of the physician, and has a direct reporting relationship to Practice Management.

Function/Duties of Position

Patient Care

• Assists in admission process by recording patient’s name, address, phone number, age, and other personal information; takes and records vital signs such as blood pressure, pulse rate, respiration rate, and temperature; makes appointment for patient or refers patient to medical staff for immediate examination or treatment; transports patient to examination or treatment room with use of wheelchair or gurney or assists patient to walk; assists patient in undressing; assists physician with treatment or examination by passing instruments, applying or removing bandages and dressings, holding patient in proper position for x-rays or electrocardiograph, or collecting specimens; gives enemas, administers oral or injectable medication under close supervision of physician; observes and reports changes in patient’s conditions; assists physician in emergency procedures such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation; assists physician in office surgeries. May assist in workflow coordination of daily operations between front desk and back office to ensure patient and provider flow is efficient, such as by continuous monitoring of providers schedules to assure timeliness, identifying barriers to patient flow; communicating with front and back office throughout the day regarding patient and provider continuous flow, participating with patient scheduling, room turnover, and other clinical tasks as required to maintain patient and provider flow.

Facility Maintenance

• Removes used and un-sterile supplies and instruments from examination or treatment rooms; stocks rooms with sterile supplies and instruments; washes and sterilizes instruments or sends to central supply for sterilization; takes inventory of supplies, equipment, and instruments; orders supplies or requisitions them through unit superior.

Miscellaneous

• Answers phones, and responds to non-medical questions; files and retrieves patient’s records; runs errands such as delivering specimens to labs, picking up x-rays or lab reports, or picking up medication at pharmacy; transports equipment such as oxygen tanks to other locations within facility.

Quality Improvement

• Training
  • Complete various trainings including training on the OHSU Performance Excellence (OPEx) system
• Ongoing Quality Improvement
• Support ongoing improvement efforts, such as abnormality tracking, scheduled improvement rounds, improvement meetings, and timely completion of assigned of improvement projects.

Required Qualifications

• One of the following three:
• 1. Completion of a nationally recognized accredited medical assistant training program, including a practicum (externship) of at least 160 hours, OR
• 2. Successful completion of a formal medical services training program of the United States Armed Forces, OR
• 3. Current Oregon Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) license (basic or advance) and national EMT registration with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT.)

AND

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Intermediate computer proficiency
• Ability to successfully serve a variety of diverse customers in difficult situations
• Ability to provide service excellence, kindness, and compassion to all
• customers, including patients and other OHSU team members
• Skill in developing and maintaining professional relationships
• Ability to prioritize work demands
• Ability to interpret and follow policies, procedures, and protocols
• Basic applied math skills, including calculations and conversions
• Proven record of reliable attendance, punctuality, and successful performance with past and present employers
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without accommodation
• For those completing medical assistant training or formal military medical services training as referenced above in #1 and #2, the following is also required (Those qualifying under the EMT qualification are exempt from this requirement.)
• Medical Assistant (MA) certification received from a nationally recognized and accredited certifying body, upon hire or by the completion of the probationary period or internal job change evaluation period, as appropriate. Must be maintained for the duration of employment.
• Currently, these include:
  • The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), awarding the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)
  • The American Medical Technologists (AMT), awarding the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)
  • The National Center for Competency Testing, awarding the National Certified MA (NCMA)
  • The National Health Career Association, awarding the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)
  • The American Registry of Medical Assistants,awarding the Registered Medical Assistant (R.M.A.) - for those qualifying through #2 above only.
  • Current BLS certification at hire and must be issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) or Military Training Network branch of AHA

Preferred Qualifications

• Associates Degree
• One year of work experience in a medical office setting, including high volume direct patient contact in both front and back office.
• Experience working with an electronic medical record system, preferably Epic
• Formal customer service training, conflict management training, and/or communication training
• Clinical experience within the past 6 to 9 months
• Previous experience in a surgical clinic

All are welcome

Oregon Health & Science University values a diverse and culturally competent workforce. We are proud of our commitment to being an equal opportunity, affirmative action organization that does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of any protected class status, including disability status and protected veteran status. Individuals with diverse backgrounds and those who promote diversity and a culture of inclusion are encouraged to apply. To request reasonable accommodation contact the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Department at 503-494-5148 or aaeo@ohsu.edu.