School Based Medical Assistant

JOB TITLE: School Based Medical Assistant FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

DEPARTMENT: School Based Health

SUPERVISED BY: Health Programs Manager

I. POSITION FUNCTION SUMMARY

Under the general direction of the Director of School-Based Health, and direct supervision of the Health Programs Manager, the School-Based Medical Assistant (MA) provides patient care and other related clinical, laboratory, technical and support activities to physicians, midlevel practitioners, and nurses who provide direct patient care at Hawaiʻi Island Community Health Center (HICHC) School Based Health Centers (SBHC).

II. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

This position may have various work assignments within HICHC. This description is intended to be generic in nature, and as such it does not detail all duties and responsibilities of the particular job assignment. Various duties, responsibilities and accountabilities may be assigned to an incumbent in this position depending on the specific job assignment, and may include but not be limited to the following:

Clinical Duties

• Interviews and conducts preliminary assessment of patients to determine reasons for visit, obtains health history and checks pulse, temperature, blood pressure, weight, height, vision and hearing as needed and accurately records data on patient chart.

• Assists clinicians in therapeutic procedures such as exams and minor surgeries, wound care, and nebulizer treatments.

• Cleans and prepares equipment and examination rooms for patients. Cleans rooms after each encounter and as needed.

o Cleans, maintains and stocks nurse’s stations, exam rooms, pharmacy and laboratory.

o Sterilizes, cleans, wraps and labels instruments consistent with autoclave protocols.

• Maintains appropriate amount of office, medical supplies and other materials through timely and accurate inventory and requisition procedures; re-stocks and orders supplies in each exam room and treatment room; re-stocks and maintains par levels on the crash cart.

• Weighs and measures patients, takes vital signs including temperature, pulse, respiration and blood pressure, and records the readings on the patient's progress notes; reports any vital sign variations from the last clinic visit to the medical provider.

• Assists the provider with physical examinations, pelvic exams, pap smears, throat cultures, surgical procedures, and other specialty procedures.

• Assists with clinical tasks and procedures such as administering oral, injectable medications and immunizations; by performing audiograms, visual acuity testing, EKGs, and suture removals, spirometry testing, peak flow; and by monitoring patients for possible reactions to medications and treatments, responsiveness to treatment, and compliance with clinical regimens.

• Collects lab specimens as directed by the provider following departmental procedures for patient identification and labeling of specimens using OSHA guidelines. Performs CLIA-waived tests following specific methodology outlined per manufacturer of each test kit or equipment.

• Assists HICHC patient education efforts, making available and distributing patient information and literature related to family planning, pre-natal care, and health promotion/disease prevention for all patient age categories.

• Coordinates patient scheduling for providers, including regular and specialty appointments, in consultation with appropriate clinical and provider staff.

• Follows up on normal/abnormal patient testing done by outside facilities, reports findings in a timely manner to appropriate clinical staff, provides follow-up on diagnostic testing as indicated by provider.

• Maintains patient files in a timely and accurate manner by updating information pertaining to medication refills, laboratory reports/results, patient medical visits, and other patient data/information required by providers or protocols.

• Assists with conducting patient case management tasks and patient discharge plans to include patient referrals, x-ray requisitions, prescription refills, and specialty appointments; submits paperwork to the appropriate staff person.

Laboratory Duties

• Inventories, orders, and distributes laboratory supplies and equipment as needed.

• Monitors and records temperatures of lab environment and specimen fridge; reports abnormal temperatures to supervisor.

• Ensures that the physical plant and environmental conditions of the lab are appropriate for the tests performed and provide safe conditions for employees who are protected from physical, chemical, and biological hazards in accordance with recognized laboratory and OSHA standards.

• Ensures that the laboratory tests selected have the capability of providing quality results required for patient care.

• Performs routine maintenance and quality control testing on all lab equipment, as well as trouble shooting problems; contacts repair and maintenance services as appropriate.

• Performs lab procedures and records the results of laboratory tests in the patient record.

• Performs CLIA-waived laboratory testing including but not limited to urine dipstick, hemoccult, HCG, HgA1C, lipid panel, Strep A, PT/INR and urine drug test, and use of glucometers.

• Performs hematology and chemistry testing as directed by a provider.

• Collects and labels specimens as requested by the provider; completes requisition forms and packages specimens for pickup. Transports laboratory specimens to the clinic or laboratory as needed.

• Demonstrates knowledge in the proper use of CLIA-waived test kits and equipment through annual skills checks and training.

• Maintains accurate record-keeping of all patient and quality testing performed.

Vaccine Management Duties

• For HICHC School-Based Health Centers, in conjunction with the Health Programs Manager:

o Conducts regular vaccine inventory checks and monitors supply of vaccine.

o Places vaccine orders and receives vaccine shipments.

o Monitors and records daily temperatures of refrigerator, freezer, and room.

o Addresses temperature excursions.

o Maintains compliance with Vaccines for Children program through annual trainings and site visits.

Other Duties

• Performs a variety of activities to support the functions of the SBHC, including: answering phones, scheduling appointments, preparing provider schedules, registering new patients and updating patient information, verifying insurance status and eligibility, escorting students to and from their classrooms, and answering general inquiries from patients and visitors

III. POSITION SPECIFICATIONS

Requirements of Position

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience

• High School graduate or GED certificate required.

• Graduation from a technical school with appropriate degree and/or certification such as Nurse Assistant/Aide program preferred.

• One year of experience as a medical assistant is required; OR any equivalent combination of experience, training and/or education approved by Human Resources or Health Programs Manager.

• One year of experience working in a community health setting or Federally Qualified Health Center is preferred.

Licenses and Certifications

• Certification as a Medical Assistant preferred.

• Current BLS certification is required and must be maintained.

• Valid Hawaiʻi driver's license and current auto insurance required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• This position requires a basic knowledge of clinical intake procedures to prepare patients for their examination and complete laboratory tests for the provider.

• Ability to use a multi-line telephone, computer, or fax/copier machine.

• Ability to work on multiple tasks within established deadlines.

• Ability to work under the direction of a provider and follow instructions for work completion.

• Ability to take the initiative to resolve patient concerns and problems.

Language Skills

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as government regulations and guidelines, patient records, operating and maintenance instructions, procedure manuals, etc.

• Ability to write at a minimal level of competence, including internal reports and memoranda.

• Ability to communicate with diverse groups of people to include staff and providers and patients.

• Ability to communicate effectively with patients and their families to make their visit a pleasant experience.

• Sensitivity to the multicultural nature of the service area population and provide language translation services to patients as needed.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extensive periods of time.

• Manual and finger dexterity and eye-hand coordination to provide nursing care and operating equipment.

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.

• Ability to stoop, squat, or bend frequently.

• Corrected vision and hearing within normal range to observe and communicate with patients and

• professional staff.

• Exposure to patient elements including communicable disease and bloodborne pathogens.

• Exposure to toxic substances, ionizing radiation, medicinal preparations, and other common hazards of a healthcare clinic.

Personal Characteristics

Personal characteristics include: a team player, high integrity, multitasker, communication and customer relations skills, regular work attendance, courteous and friendly, able to work well with diverse groups of people, gain and maintain the respect of others, accept HICHC mission and values.

Confidential and Sensitive Information

Because the employee has access to personal and professional data regarding individual employees and their families, personal data regarding individual patients and the families, and/or sensitive company financial data, an essential job result is the maintenance of a high level of confidentiality of the information processed by the employee. Violation of this confidence may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

IV. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS/WORKING CONDITIONS

General Remarks: The work environment described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential tasks and functions.

Environment: The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate. There are no known environmental hazards on the premises. Work environment is often stressful. Work is mostly inside, and normal office worker safety precautions and practices are required. Incumbent may be exposed to patients' conditions and some-unpleasant sights, smells and contagious diseases including virus, disease and infection from patients and specimens in working environment. All employees are offered the opportunity to receive the Hepatitis B vaccination series.

Equipment Use: Frequent use of telephone system and office equipment including but not limited to computer, printer, facsimile machine, copier and general office supplies. Occasional use of wheelchair, gurney and other assisted devices for patient transfers in the clinic.

Work Hours: Forty-hour work weeks. Overtime may be required. Incumbent will be scheduled based on operational need (rotate shifts, standby, AA, on-call).

Mental Demands: Duties require attention to detail, alertness, problem solving, tolerance to stress and exercising sound judgment. Duties require high tolerance and adequate coping skills for dealing with loss, grief and bereavement. Good stress reduction and management skills are essential.

Travel: Frequent travel may be required to each HICHC SBHC and clinical sites. Frequency may vary, based on need, and as assigned.

V. REMARKS

The foregoing position description is not all-inclusive of the duties that may be assigned to the employee. To ensure maximum flexibility and efficiency and to encourage cross training, employees will be assigned additional duties as deemed necessary or desirable by HICHC.