Medical Assistant Specialist

Job Number: 172

Location: Midland

Supervises: N

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Division: MH

Salary: $14.67 per hour. Sign on bonus may be available.

Shift: M-Th 7:30am - 5:30pm F 8am -12pm; Assigned work hours may change as the needs of the agency and clients change

Driving required: Y

Travel required: Y

Settings: office

POSITION SUMMARY/JOB PURPOSE:

The Medical Assistant Specialist is responsible for performing clerical and administrative duties for both the Primary Care and Bridges Behavioral Health clinics. This position will answer phones, schedule medical appointments, take messages, data enter notes, contact clients to notify of pending appointments, pull records for staff, screen charts for deficiencies, file/scan forms to charts, perform benefits eligibility determination, obtain authorizations, post payments/charges, and accurately process third party billing activity. The Medical Assistant Specialist will coordinate basic medical and non-medical aspects of a patient's treatment by triaging, preparing and sanitizing patient rooms for use, performing basic laboratory procedures/tests, conducting comprehensive medical history interviews with individuals with mental illness, and educating and managing medications with provider instructions.

This position works independently, under limited supervision, reporting major activities through periodic meetings.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, OTHER QUALIFICATIONS:

Education Required: High School Diploma or GED. CNA or CMA certification.

Experience Required: At least 6 months experience in a healthcare setting.

Registration, Certification, Licensure or other Qualifications Required:

• Must maintain a valid Texas Driver's license, auto liability insurance and a driving record acceptable to PermiaCare's insurance requirements.
• Required to pass criminal history and background checks as well as pre-employment drug screen.
• Valid and current Texas Certified Nursing Aide (CNA) or Certified Medication Aide (CMA) certification.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform benefits eligibility determinations by calling insurance company or reviewing website.
• Ensure all patient charges, including labs are entered into the billing system and reconciled on a daily basis.
• Follow up on denied claims.
• Collect blood, urine, fecal cultures and other lab specimens, log the specimens, and prepare them for testing.
• Investigate and resolve differences revealed from reports.
• Screen charts for deficiencies.
• Collect vital signs and accurately document data entry.
• Perform general office duties, such as answering telephones, taking messages and greeting patients.
• Schedule and confirm appointments.
• Prepare vaccines and other equipment used for routine diagnostic tests (EKG, breathing treatments) as directed by provider orders.
• Administer vaccines as directed by provider orders.
• Follow up on patient calls, lab results, patient questions, and authorizing drug refills, while providing prescription information to pharmacies weekly.
• Meet unit performance measures or targets.
• Enter accurate and appropriate documentation of services within timeframe required.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive records and treatment information, client files and protected health information in compliance with HIPAA, laws, rules and regulations, and established procedures.
• Maintain regular and reliable physical on-site attendance. Regular attendance, dependability, and promptness are required for the scheduled work day 100% of the time, to ensure consistency and completeness of program's processes.
• Comply with the Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation policy and reporting requirements.
• Adhere to the Code of Conduct and Standards of Behavior policy requirements.
• Establish and maintain effective work relationships with individuals served and their families, supervisors, co-workers and visitors by demonstrating cooperative, courteous and respectful behavior at all times.
• Communicate regularly with supervisor.
• Open and process mail/email in a timely manner.
• Answer phone, collect phone messages and respond to requests timely and accurately.
• Maintain safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules and regulations.
• Perform all work functions and interactions using a trauma informed approach.
• Display professionalism when representing PermiaCare and the program in the community.
• Maintain compliance with legal requirements and company policies and procedures.
• Maintain valid and current driver's license, auto insurance, acceptable driving record and reliable transportation at all times. Driving may be required for this position.
• Complete all training as assigned prior to due date.
• Other duties as assigned.

MARGINAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (these duties are not designated as essential for the purposes of ADA; they are still required duties):

• Fill in for other nursing or Bridges staff as needed.
• Attend staff meetings as needed.
• Inventory and order medical, lab or office supplies or equipment.
• Provide translation, if applicable.
• Participate in team meeting or staffings.
• Participate in community activities and/or attends community meetings as needed.
• Participate in workgroups and committees as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND COMPETENCIES:

• Knowledge of mental illness and treatment.
• General knowledge of nursing.
• Ability to operate telephone system and basic office equipment.
• Ability to operate calculator.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws as they pertain to physician's prescriptions and side effects of medications.
• Knowledge of HIPAA and ability to protect confidentiality.
• Effective multi-tasking skills.
• Good organizational skills.
• Welcoming, positive behavior.
• Ability to express self clearly and effectively, orally and in writing.
• Effective time management skills.
• Exceptional customer service skills, including positive attitude.
• Cultural sensitivity.
• Dependable attendance and punctuality.
• Knowledge of trauma informed theories, principles and practices.
• Flexibility and adaptability to different work environments.
• Excellent computer skills, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Electronic Health Records (EHR).
• Reading and comprehending.
• Reasoning and analyzing.
• Ability to coordinate with various inter-agency personnel.
• Ability to fulfill PMAB and CPR/First Aid requirements.
• Ability to work independently.
• Good interpersonal skills, including ability to build rapport with individuals including co-workers.
• Ability to display comfort in interacting with individuals of diverse cultural, ethnic and economic backgrounds and with social service, healthcare, educational and criminal justice organizations, as needed.
• Ability to acquire and utilize new skills as the job requires.
• Ability to work cooperatively and productively with supervisor, individuals, co-workers, and groups of persons at all levels of activity, contributing to a spirit of teamwork.
• Ability to maintain highly confidential information.
• Ability to remain calm in stressful situations.
• Ability to plan and schedule work and implement directives without constant supervision.
• Model professionalism by appropriate dress, language, ethics and work habits.
• Ability to drive personal and/or company vehicle. This position may require travel to agency program sites, community and residential sites, and/or locations outside the PermiaCare catchment area. This position may require transport of agency individuals and/or individuals served.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Abilities Required:

• Light Lifting, under 15 lbs
• Light Carrying, under 15 lbs
• Walking
• Standing
• Sitting
• Operating mechanical equipment
• Operating office equipment
• Operating motor vehicle
• Ability to see
• Hearing (with aid)
• Ability to write
• Ability to count
• Ability to read
• Ability to tell time

Other (specify): driving required. May require some travel after hours and overnight.

WORKSITE CONDITIONS:

• Travel
• Inside
• Working closely with others
• Working alone

ADA Statement: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

EEO Statement: PermiaCare is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of duties, activities or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, activities and responsibilities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice. This job description does not constitute an employment contract with PermiaCare. Employment is at-will.

PM22