Job Title: Medical Assistant
Reports to: Clinical Manager
Direct Reports: NoneClassification: Non-Exempt, Hourly, Full-Time
Hourly Pay: $20 per hour
Location: Carbondale, IL

Job Summary
The Medical Assistant works with medical and administrative personnel to provide the best possible patient experience. Medical Assistants provide direct patient care and phlebotomy services, enter medical data into EHR, provide medication education, answer patient phone calls, sterilize surgical instruments, and assist during medical procedures, including abortion. Under general direction and according to established policies and procedures, Medical Assistants perform waived diagnostic testing in chemistry, hematology, and immune hematology as needed, along with other designated laboratory support functions.

Duties and Responsibilities

Assists medical providers during abortion procedures, OB-GYN exams, Nexplanon and IUD insertions and removals, and other services as required.
Proactively fulfills patient care responsibilities, identifies, and participates in process improvement initiatives that improve customer experience, enhance workflow, and improve the work environment.
Assists with initiation of patient history, physical assessment, and patient vitals.
Provides patients with an opportunity to discuss abortion care.
Courteously answers patient calls, makes follow up calls, schedules appointments, and answers patient questions.
Performs sterilization of surgical instruments, cleans equipment and examination rooms ensuring strict adherence to universal precautions as established by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Monitors and maintains inventories and stocks supplies.
Performs accurate documentation of patient records.
Arranges patient referrals and prescriptions as requested by provider.
Completes insurance pre-authorizations as required.
Performs point of care testing, specimen collection, administers injections, and perform phlebotomy to obtain lab samples ordered by provider maintaining sterile environment and infection control practices.
Maintains lab instrumentation, performs controls, properly processes specimens according to established policies and procedures.
Adheres to strict standards regarding patient confidentiality, informed consent and disclosure as required by HIPAA, Illinois law and organizational policy.
May be trained to provide a limited ultrasound examination with proper supervision.

Other Duties

Please note this position description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position.

Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Qualifications

Degree: High school diploma or equivalent required.
Licensure, Certification, and /or Registration: Successful completion of a Medical Assisting program or equivalent experience required.
At least 1-2 years of overall professional experience; ideally at least one year of experience in a healthcare setting.
Spanish language fluency strongly preferred.
Experience performing phlebotomy strongly preferred.
Knowledge of medical terminology preferred.
BLS certification required.
Knowledge of OSHA Standards and HIPAA Privacy Rules.
Completion of applicable internal competency assessments and skills checklist for Medical Assistant; demonstrating proficiency in all measured areas.
The ideal candidate is detail oriented, organized, empathetic, and punctual and possesses strong verbal communication skills.
Ability to stay calm when patients and/or staff are stressed or upset.
Technology savvy, experience using electronic health record system.
A successful track record in setting priorities; keen analytic, organization and problem-solving skills which support and enable sound decision making.
Excellent communication and relationship building skills with an ability to prioritize, negotiate, and work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
A multi-tasker with the ability to wear many hats in a fast-paced environment.
Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and dedication to the mission of CHOICES.

Working Conditions

This job operates in a professional office, birthing center, health clinic and hospital environment. This role requires contact with patients.
This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets.
OSHA Blood borne Pathogen Exposure Determination: Based on the OSHA guidelines for protection against occupational exposure to hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), this position includes tasks that involve exposure to blood, body fluids, and tissues.
Some night and weekend shifts may be required. (Clinic operations hours are Tuesday to Saturday)

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. Visual acuity including color, depth perception, and field of vision to perform an activity, such as assessing patients, preparing, and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; or extensive reading. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; climb; pushing; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms; grasping; kneeling; stooping, and repetitive motion.
This position requires the ability to occasionally lift, push, and pull up to 50-100 lbs.
This role requires frequent standing.

Travel

Up to 5% travel may be required for this position.

Additional InformationAs part of the application process, candidates will be required to complete a 4-hour shadow session to assess compatibility with the role and environment.