Lead Medical Assistant

Description

• External

Dermatology experience required

The Lead Medical Assistant (MA) is an integral member of the healthcare team and is accountable for patient care as assigned by a licensed independent provider (LIP: MD, NP, PA), a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or a Registered Nurse (RN). The Lead MA participates in the direct and indirect care of patients, health maintenance, patient instruction, collaborative planning and rehabilitation as within scope of practice and consistent with his/her education and training. The Lead Medical Assistant may be present in secure medication storage areas and are allowed incidental access to medications. Developing relationships with patients, families and colleagues, the Lead MA functions as an interdisciplinary team member who provides quality patient care and contributes toward the attainment of important goals for the patient, the practice and the organization. The Lead. MA will also serve as a resource and mentor to the other Medical Assistants in the practice.

In addition to the General Summary Statement and Principal Duties and Responsibilities, this job description includes:

Clinical Duties and Responsibilities:

• Demonstrates true engagement and enthusiasm to contribute toward the care delivery needs for patients and families.

• Promotes an inclusive environment supportive of patient and family centered care for a diverse community.

• Accepts assignments for patient care within the scope of his/her preparation and within current standards of practice. In conjunction with a Licensed Independent Provider (LIP) , LPN or RN, participates in the gathering of data that contributes to the assessment, planning, and evaluation of care delivered.

• Collaborates as a member of the health care team, contributing toward a supportive and therapeutic environment that promotes the attainment of patient goals that are specific, measurable, action-oriented, realistic and timely.

• Accurately obtains vital signs, elicits information about the patient's basic health status, administers relevant care within scope of practice and as directed by the LIP/LPN/RN, and documents as appropriate in the electronic health record.

• Performs routine tests that may include but is not limited to: electrocardiograms, vision and hearing screening, and the collection of specimens for laboratory testing and point of care.

• Participates in team-based care and patient education initiatives to support the health and wellness of patients in conjunction with the LIP/LPN/RN. Reinforces patient instruction as directed by LIP/LPN/RN.

• Participates in organizational and unit-based quality improvement initiatives and compliance readiness

• Participates in telephone screening of patients; may provide instruction to patient when as directed by the LIP/LPN/RN.

• Participates in prescription management tasks including pending of new prescriptions and renewals requiring LIP approval, prior authorizations and medication reconciliation.

• Administrative Duties and Responsibilities:

• In conjunction with the Practice Manager, oversees the daily activities of the MA's; assigns tasks; oversees flow; responsible for the judgment of room rotations.

• May monitor vacation and sick time; arrange coverage as appropriate.

• May assist manager with interviewing candidates, orienting and training of new or current staff.

• Provides functional guidance to other MA's.

• May provide feedback and input for evaluating performance.

• Follows approved clinical practice guidelines (CPG's) and workflows, sends appropriate orders for radiology, laboratory testing and other care needs requiring LIP authorization.

• Performs a variety of tasks, including those that may be facilitated by administrative staff, which have an effect on the overall operations of the unit. These include flow, stocking of rooms, scheduling tasks and all other duties as assigned.

• Appropriately utilizes organizational resources including management of time, supplies, equipment and other assets.

• Other duties as assigned.

Addendum

• Dermatology specific

Behavioral Competencies:

• A strong leader who acts as a role model by daily setting a positive tone for all clinical activities. Provides clear direction in order to organize, inspire and motivate team members, fostering strong teamwork and a productive environment. Establishes daily communication huddles to organize and set the clinical pace for each day.

• Demonstrates the ability to manage stressful situations, conflicts, and quickly adapts to and champions changes.

• Bases decisions and actions on understanding the prospective of others; is a role model to others in service standards.

• Maintains ongoing good communication with nurse manager, and reports problems. Able to safeguard sensitive and confidential information.

• Responds to requests for change positively and openly that will improve practice conditions for physicians either by implementing such changes or by discussing them with the nurse manager.

• Participates in special projects as assigned by nurse manager, maintains flexibility regarding workload and the needs of the department. In partnership with nurse manager, identifies and implements ways to continuously improve efficiency and effectiveness of processes.

• Bases decisions and actions on understanding the perspective of others; is a role model to others in service standards.

• Willingness to receive and provide constructive feedback in order to enhance clinic efficiencies and work processes

Primary Duties/Responsibilities:

• Actively monitors and maintains the day-to-day flow of patients through the dermatology practice, expected to cover as needed. Answers call lights as needed. Ensures adequate coverage and pairing at the beginning and end of day. Consistently communicates any changes with Nurse Manager, physicians, staff and patients as needed.

• Checks daily schedule board and Epic physician schedule, this includes accuracy of daily staff assignments, setting priorities and ensuring that necessary tasks are completed. Proactive around continually adjusting staffing to the physician needs.

• Oversees and participates in opening and closing responsibilities of the clinic. Prioritizes and ensures all arrived patients get roomed at least 10 minutes before start of morning and afternoon session. Ensures all physician clinics are covered until assigned staff member arrives.

• Ensures adequate coverage for lunch time and that staff goes to lunch on time (should take lunch at a different time than staff, as the team lead may need to be available to cover at lunch). Assigns lunch coverage daily.

• Makes necessary schedule changes if co-worker needs to leave due to illness or emergency.

o Staff will continue to need to speak with nurse manager for approval prior to leaving. If nurse manager not available, needs to be approved by a manger/supervisor.

• Through constant monitoring ensures that all exam rooms are properly stocked and maintained.

• Oversees and organizes process for routine instrument sharpening.

• Ensures appropriate inventory of linen and blue scrubs, oversees weekly orders and makes adjustments. Oversees and participates in putting laundry away.

• Keeps all patient care and procedure equipment clean and in good working order and proactively manages equipment maintenance/problems. Calls engineering or Biomed for broken equipment. Inform nurse manager if unable to be repaired or needs to be replaced.

• Ensures that all nurses stations and physician touchdown stations are neat and clean.

• Acts as the primary contact for computer and printer issues in clinical exam areas. Works with BWH IS or Dept Technical Operations Manager to resolve.

• Performs all duties and tasks as requested by the nurse manager to ensure the efficient overall performance of the facility.

• Daily meets with nurse manager for update and overview of clinical day

• Direct oversight of the specimen collection workflow, ensuring specimens are collected and documented accurately

• Monitors biopsy book compliance ensuring documentation is up to date and patients are notified of pathology results in expected timeframe.

• Serves as a backup for multispecialty lead medical assistance

• Will act as the subject matter expert responsible for ensure yearly competencies are compliant.

• In the absence of appropriate staffing levels, lead medical assistant will be expected to cover other specialty clinics.

Qualifications

• External

• Clinical Skills:

• Knowledge of practice operations and standards.

• Intermediate to advanced knowledge and use of medical terminology.

• Ability to accurately perform vital signs and obtain pertinent health information including but not limited to; temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, height, and weight.

• Ability to participate in the medication reconciliation processes and related prescription management tasks, including prior authorizations.

• Knowledge and ability to perform specific procedures and tests as appropriate to the clinical setting.

• Communication skills: Demonstrates effective oral and written communication skills in English. Communicates in a professional, courteous, clear and concise manner. Facilitates therapeutic relationships between patients, families and other members of the health care team.

• Writing Skills: Ability to correspond and communicate with others clearly and effectively in writing (via e-mail, memo or interoffice note, documentation of patient information) and to take complete and accurate messages.

• Phone skills: Ability to telephonically support the practice by answering and screening calls, offering information within scope of practice to facilitate communication.

• Organization Skills: Ability to manage work processes in a neat and systematic way. Ability to manage multiple tasks effectively, appropriately prioritize clinical work, follow established policies, procedures and clinical practice guidelines, workflows.

• Technology Skills: Demonstrates ability to utilize technology in the clinical setting. Includes basic computer skills as well as the utilization of electronic medical equipment. Ability to type accurately and enter data at an intermediate level. Ability to become proficient in using the EHRand other appropriate applications. Ability to utilize hand-held technology and download related data to the electronic health record.