General Summary/ Overview Statement

The Medical Assistant (MA) is an integral member of the mobile health team that is dedicated to increasing access to quality healthcare for vulnerable communities in the greater Boston area.

Mobile health services are specialized by "clinic" and include COVID-19 testing and vaccination, hypertension screening/treatment, and substance use disorder screening/treatment.

Under the direction of the Clinical Lead (NP) or other provider, the Medical Assistant is responsible for assisting physicians, nurse practitioners, and/or nurses with evaluation, management, and treatment of patients who seek care at one of the mobile clinics. His/her primary roles are to register patients in the electronic medical record system; to assure efficient patient flow; to assist providers within the scope of the MA skill set; to maintain neat, clean, and safe patient care areas, and to promote patient satisfaction by interacting with patients in a professional, friendly manner consistent with their needs.

This is a hybrid role and she/he will be required to work both in-person and remotely. Some mobile clinics are scheduled during the evening and on weekends to provide greater access for community members who work during the day.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Assists mobile team with the set-up and take-down of the mobile clinic site

2. Assists Operations Manager with patient flow; greets arriving patients and directs to appropriate location as needed

3. Welcomes patient and registers/updates registration in EPIC

4. Prepares patient for examination:

• Checks patient's identification using two identifiers

• Documents chief complaint and symptom(s) in the medical record

• Documents interval medical and family history in the medical record

• Reviews current medication list and prescriptions that need to be renewed

• Documents all drugs and other allergies

• Reviews record for immunization and other health monitoring needs

• Obtains age-appropriate vital signs and other measurements appropriate to visit

• Instructs patient in how to prepare for the physician or nurse practitioner (assisting as necessary)

• Anticipates / sets up special equipment and/or supplies needed for the visit

• Alerts the physician or nurse practitioner when patient is ready and communicates pertinent clinical information

5. Assists patient through check-out process when visit is complete

6. Cleans and prepares area for next patient

7. Responds to needs to expedite visits and keep on schedule

8. Assists the Provider and/or Nursing staff with patient care during the visit:

• Adheres to hand hygiene and standard precaution guidelines, employing additional precautions as appropriate

• Collects specimens and performs CLIA-waived tests during according to protocol, including:

• Blood (phlebotomy)

• Sputum

• Finger sticks

• Rapid strep or COVID-19 testing

• Throat cultures

9. Assists provider and/or nursing staff with patient examination, procedures, and treatments as directed

10. Performs other tests, procedures, and treatments as directed including:

• Visual acuity

• Simple dry, sterile dressing

• Electrocardiograms, office spirometry, peak flow, administration of nebulizer treatment

• Immunizations and administration of other medications as ordered by the provider

• Patient education

11. Documents testing / results per protocols; uses appropriate flow sheets and screening forms for chronic disease management

12. Assists the Provider and Nursing staff with work outside the visit

• Performs designated tasks related to tracking test results; may communicate normal test results to patients as directed by a provider or nurse

• Performs initial response telephone screening following protocols provided by the practice

13. Faxes, mails, or telephones in prescription renewals as directed by the prescribing provider and under the supervision of the prescriber or a nurse

14. Maintains neat, clean, and safe exam rooms and treatment areas

• Assures patient care areas are neat, clean, professional-looking

• Assures exam and treatment areas are properly stocked, equipped, and secured

• Assures all equipment is in good working order

• Cleans exam rooms and equipment after each patient use per protocol

15. Adheres to Human Resource policies with respect to attendance and dress code

16. Promotes customer satisfaction by interacting with patients in a professional, friendly manner consistent with their needs

• Recognizes and respects cultural diversity

• Adapts communication to the patient's understanding

• Employs professional telephone and interpersonal techniques

17. Functions as an integral part of the mobile health care team

• Interacts in a professional, cooperative way with other staff

• Accepts and delegates responsibilities in a positive manner

• Is a team player and offers help to others in the practice when not busy

• Before taking breaks / lunch makes sure adequate coverage is available and gives hand-off communication to covering personnel

• Engages in constructive problem solving with others in the practice as problems arise

• Attends and participates in practice staff meetings

• Performs other tasks (when not "in the field") as delegated by Operations Manager

Working Conditions

This position entails a significant amount of time in a mobile/community environment. While much of the work may take place on the mobile clinic (van) there are duties performed outside and adjacent to the mobile clinic. It will be necessary to dress for varying weather conditions as needed. The position requires the ability to commute to and from site locations and also work remotely as required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required. Some college or Associate's Degree preferred. Bachelor's Degree preferred
• Certificate preferred
• Graduate of an accredited Medical Assistant Certificate Program preferred
• Experience in healthcare preferred
• Bilingual Haitian Creole or Spanish Preferred

Skills/ Abilities/ Competencies Required

Technical Skills/Competencies Required:

• Clinical Skills: Knowledge of practice operations and standards. Beginning to intermediate 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 EHR and other appropriate applications. Ability to utilize hand-held technology and download related data to the electronic health record.
• Ability to document all patient communications and clinical treatments accurately
• Educates the patient within the scope of practice and as directed by supervising provider in health maintenance, disease prevention, disease management and compliance with treatment plan.

Hospital Wide Responsibilities

Works within legal, regulatory, accreditation and ethical practice standards relevant to the position and as established by BWH/Partners: follow safe practices required for the position; complies with appropriate BWH and Partners policies and procedures; fulfills any training required by BWH and/or Partners; as appropriate; brings potential matters of non-compliance to the attention of the supervisor or other appropriate hospital staff.

Brigham and Women's Hospital is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, or on the basis of disability.