Description

Under the supervision of a Community Health Center Manager, assists health care providers with examinations and procedures to ensure an expeditious flow of patients through the clinic. Upon direction of the provider conducts various tests to identify health problems in patients. May determine eligibility for center services. Tasks include perform chart preparation, conducting initial interviews, preparing patients for examinations, administering medications, injections and standardized tests, and recording results. Check patient insurance eligibility and refer patients to healthcare enrollment assistance sites. Ability to provide clerical services and clinical services as required to maintain an effective practice flow. Cross trained to work both clerically and clinically. May assist in training new employees and medical students to health center operations.

Essential Functions

1. Receives patients and their families at a health center or screening site. Coordinates initial interview, gathers background information, and assists in the completion of various forms and applications. Answers routine questions regarding operations and related services.
2. Prepares patients for examination by escorting them to examination rooms, documenting complaints and symptoms. Taking vital signs including temperature, blood pressure, pulse and pulse oximetry. Measures height, weight and pediatric head circumference. Records vital statistics and relevant visit information in patient electronic health record (EHR).
3. Arranges for specialized testing, which may include communicating with patients and case managers regarding issues related to authorizations and benefits, as well as medical procedures and specialist referrals and diagnostic tests. Completes necessary paperwork and EHR documentation, contacts specialist's offices, hospitals, labs or other facilities to make appointments as needed. Contacts patients or caregivers to inform them of appointments. Completes paperwork, notifies patients or caregivers and assists in tracking of referrals to ensure necessary care is completed. Forwards to proper personnel to complete referral authorizations as needed.
4. Administers standardized tests or performs procedures ordered by providers such as developmental screening, EKGs, peak flow meter testing, ear irrigations and vision/hearing tests. Assist health care professionals who are conducting medical examinations as required.
5. May perform clerical tasks such as answering phones, assisting patients in completing paperwork, screen for insurance coverage, update client information, verify appointments, collect payments, perform bookkeeping tasks and schedule appointments.
6. Collects specimens such as blood, urine and throat swabs per provider and/or standing order upon proof of competency. Perform CLIA duties and functions as Safety Monitor as needed. Collects or receives samples and conducts CLIA Waived tests per Ingham Community Health Center (ICHC) quality assurance training and documents within EHR. May prepare specimens to be sent to outside laboratories.
7. Administers medications and injections safely following established standards, policies and procedures.

Other Functions:

• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Must adhere to departmental standards in regard to HIPAA and other privacy issues.
• During a public health emergency, the employee may be required to perform duties similar to, but not limited, to those in his/her job description.

(An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the above tasks. These examples do not include all of the tasks which the employee may be expected to perform.)

Education:  Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent.  Graduation from a recognized Medical Assistant pro