Principal Duties and Responsibilities

1. Ensures equipment in exam rooms is working each morning, e.g., otoscopes, blood pressure cuffs, etc. Maintains general appearance and cleanliness of examination rooms as well as keeping the rooms well stocked.

2. Sterilizes instruments and maintains diagnostic equipment in appropriate working order. Follows established OSHA guidelines for cleaning and disposing of hazardous materials.

3. Provides direct patient care within MAPS' protocols for clinical assistants.

4. Assists nurses and providers in doing procedures per protocols. a. Triages phone calls relating to patient care from patients, nursing home nurse practitioners, hospitals, other physician offices, labs, and pharmacies as requested by clinical coordinator. b. Administers injection per protocols. c. Performs EKG, PFT, suture removal, throat culture, urine culture, and cerumen removal and any other procedures as directed. d. Performs phlebotomy as necessary. Acts as back-up to phlebotomist when required. e. Ensures that all lab requisitions have diagnoses noted according to protocol.

5. Prepares and replenishes supplies. Maintains specific inventories and informs office practice coordinator when inventory needs to be ordered.

6. Greets patients, determines their medical needs, and responds accordingly.

7. Prepares new patient charts and records basic statistical data. Records patient complaints and vital signs in an accurate manner at all times.

8. Prepares and drapes patient as appropriate for examination and assists with examination as requested by the physician.

9. Dispenses or administers medications and injections as directed by the physician and under supervision of the physician. Accurately records all medication stock used and informs office practice coordinator when stocks need to be replenished.

10. Assists in the collection of specimens. Instructs patient regarding preparation for various tests when necessary.

11. Records and maintains laboratory, x-ray, and EKG data in patient records as necessary.

12. Schedules patients for special procedures as directed or ordered by the physician. Notifies clerical staff when referrals are necessary and informs patients when special preparations are needed.

13. Triages phone calls for the physician. Phones in prescriptions under the direction of the physician. Informs patients via phone or in person of test results, physician messages, etc.

14. Counsels patients on various health maintenance and health-related issues, as directed by the physician (i.e., cholesterol, diet changes, medication changes, inhalers, etc.).

15. Attends all staff meetings.

16. Assists clerical support in the completion of encounter forms coding and research. Provides clerical support as staffing needs dictate.

17. Maintains patient care logs to ensure that all laboratory tests (Pap smears, blood work, radiology, special procedures, etc.) scheduled have been completed. Researches those results not returned and reschedules patients as indicated.

18. Reviews daily cancellations and no shows with physicians. Reschedules patients as clinically indicated.

19. May be required to float to other practices as staffing needs dictate.

20. Works under direction of the Group Practice Manager or designate.

21. Maintains computerized or manual patient appointment schedule. Schedules meetings, communicates with other hospital/practice departments, nursing homes and various community services as necessary.

22. Schedules patient tests and examinations at various sites. Informs patients of schedules and preparations necessary. Educates patients when testing requires special preparations.

23. Maintains patient medical records in an accurate manner. Responds to requests for medical information when necessary.

24. Answers all incoming calls for the professional staff, takes messages, and routes appropriately. Notifies physicians or takes steps to locate covering physicians for patient emergencies. Uses sound judgment in triaging patients in other areas when necessary. Assists physicians and other professional staff in returning telephone calls, calling in prescriptions, and informing patients of results.

25. Prepares correspondence for patients and physicians when required.

26. Maintains office supplies and stock and communicates all stocking needs to office practice supervisor.

27. Rotates through the check in and check out positions. Greets all patients and family members in a professional and courteous manner. Verifies all demographic and insurance information and changes as necessary. Collects co-payments when required and maintains an accurate cash log of all dollars collected.

28. Schedules all specialty appointments as indicated at the direction of the physician. Processes all necessary referrals and follows up on all insurance questions and inquiries as needed.

29. Opens, sorts, and processes all incoming and outgoing mail. Assists physicians with responding to information inquiries, patient requests, and medical record copies.

30. Coordinates patient visits with other off-site practices to ensure that patients are seen in a timely manner. Communicates with primary care physician when necessary to schedule urgent care visits.

31. Depending on the location and specialty of the physician and practice, the secretary is responsible for scheduling hospital admissions and surgical procedures. Communicates with Operating Room scheduling, Pre-admission Review, and Admitting all diagnosis and insurance information. Informs patients of arrangements.

32. Reviews all encounter forms for accuracy of information. Provides CPT and ICD9 coding on all forms. Enters appropriate charges in the IDX system and verifies data on a weekly and monthly basis. Assists patients with billing questions. Acts as a liaison between the billing service and patients.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

1. High school graduate. Minimum of one year's experience as a medical assistant in a medical practice environment desirable. Certification as a medical assistant desirable.

2. Graduate of accredited secretarial training school preferred. Knowledge of medical terminology, word processing equipment, and personal computers.

3. Two years of experience in a busy medical practice setting. Ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously. Knowledge of pre-admission and pretesting requirements helpful.

4. Working knowledge of insurance regulations and form completion. Ability to be trained in CPT and ICD9 coding. Knowledge of billing system helpful.

5. Must be certified or willing to be certified in CPR.

6. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to work independently and follow directions.

7. Effective telephone manner and ability to communicate with patients, physicians, and other professional staff.

8. Word processing skills required.

9. Experience in Infectious Disease preferred.