Medical Assistant I

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS: The Medical Assistant I function as a member of the clinical team to ensure smooth clinic flow and assists healthcare clinicians in providing patient centered medical care.

Demonstrates commitment to Neighborhood Health’s mission of improving health and advancing health equity in Alexandria, Arlington, and Fairfax by providing access to high quality primary care regardless of ability to pay.

DUTIES/ RESPONSIBILITIES: (Essential Functions: Duties and responsibilities noted with bullets are considered to be the essential functions of the job).

• Acts as member of clinical team to support co-workers and ensure patient needs are met.
• Accurately obtains and records vital signs, chief complaints, patient medication, health and social history, and other pertinent information. Notifies nursing or providers of any significant changes or abnormalities in these measures.
• Prepares room for use during exams or procedures; maintains well-stocked rooms and cleans all medical equipment, exam tables, and scales according to OSHA and Joint Commission standards.
• Functions as chaperone for patients during medical exams and assists providers in obtaining informed consent for necessary procedures.
• Completes medication reconciliation and pre-visit chart reviews and ensures patient health records are up to date for quality measures.
• Demonstrates clear understanding or Patient Centered Medical Home model by documenting required elements including health literacy and health goals.
• Performs health screenings, procedures and diagnostic tests as directed including vision and hearing screenings, nebulizer administration, EKG testing, and other procedures.
• Administers immunizations and other injections under the supervision of the provider or nurse.
• Collects blood samples via finger sticks, heel sticks, and venipuncture for various blood analyses.
• Completes point-of-care testing and quality controls for Urinalysis, Hemoccult, Urine Pregnancy Test, Rapid Influenza Test, Rapid Strep Test, A1C, hemoglobin, and PT/INR.
• Records results of all laboratory tests and notifies nursing staff or provider of any abnormal values.
• Processes specimens in accordance with policies and procedures for analysis by off-site lab.
• Ensures patients are appropriately checked out by verifying immunizations and other medications are administered, prescriptions and labs given, and patient education provided as directed by provider or nurse.
• Assists with vaccine and supply inventories by communicating with clinical team when they will soon expire.
• Completes weekly environment of care checklists and assists in monthly and quarterly walk-throughs; checks emergency boxes and refrigerator temperatures.
• Utilizes administrative time productively by addressing telephone encounters and patient documents in a timely manner, completing nurse visits, transmitting labs, scanning, and other duties as assigned.
• Consistently interacts with patients and staff in a manner that reflects favorably on the organization and promotes teamwork.
• Actively participates in team huddles and assists in process improvement.
• Conducts daily, weekly, and monthly autoclave maintenance and sterilizes all necessary equipment according to CDC guidelines if assigned.
• Performs other duties as necessary and may rotate to other sites as determined by nurse coordinator.

QUALIFICATION/EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• At least one year of experience as a medical assistant preferred.
• Good oral and written communication skills. Bilingual in Spanish preferred.
• Familiar with electronic medical records.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Certification as medical assistant preferred.
• American Heart Association Basic Life Support. Must be obtained within 30 days of hire if not currently certified.