Medical Assistant - TMCH Cancer Center

Medical Assistant

Provides clerical assistance and basic patient care under the direction of the Registered Nurse, and/or Program Director, and/or Medical Director. Or assist in the delivery of primary health care and patient care management under the direct guidance of a physician as well as the polices and protocols of Tucson Medical Center.

Formulates and implements accurate and timely care.

Takes vital signs, weighs patients, and collects routine urine specimens, cleans catch specimens, stool specimens, and sputum specimens; draws blood from patient and return test tubes to the laboratory.

Performs dressing changes and treatments using aseptic technique.

Discontinues IV lines and performs EKGs.

Routinely checks expiration dates and ensures all medications are properly stored and expired drugs properly disposed of.

Obtains prior authorizations, manages referrals, assists with the scheduling of procedures and performs other related tasks to assist physician and patient.

Calls patients regarding test results, follow-up appointment visits, and missed appointments. Schedules patient visits and assists with their medical needs.

Cleans and prepares rooms between procedures and discharges; monitors and restocks supplies.

Opens sterile supplies and sets up for procedures.

Charts observations and vital signs on assigned patients in legible, accurate and appropriate format following hospital and unit procedures

Applies restraints as directed by nurse, per hospital policy.

Promotes a safe therapeutic environment that allows for the delivery of high quality patient care.

Notifies appropriate personnel of equipment malfunctions and repairs needed.

Participates in the orientation of new program personnel and in the ongoing in-service education of the team; participates in ongoing staff education.

Receives, handles and transfers phone calls, and messages within the department promptly and courteously.

Escorts patients to and from the exam room, takes vital signs and notes reason for visit. Documents all clinical interactions with patients and signs documentation.

Posts information to records; maintains files and records; inputs and retrieves data utilizing knowledge of various computer software packages.

Transcribes orders; schedules appointments.

Operates a personal computer, calculator, FAX machine, copy machine or related office machinery in performing assigned duties.

Processes patient charges as required.

Takes care of the body after death.

For TMC Wound and Hyperbaric oxygen Clinic, TMC Integrative Pain Specialists, or TMC Infusion clinic: Under the supervision of a licensed independent practitioner (NP, PA, MD, DO):

• Administers injectable non-controlled substance medication (excluding intravenous administration) and the application of topical medications following TMC's medication administration policy.
• Witness the RN completing a patient pill count.
• Review discharge instructions and related discharge teaching with the patient and document this in the patient record.
• Transcribe and verify patient completed admission intake forms into the EMR: prior to arrival (PTA) medications, history, allergies, pain level, screening questions, OB gyn status, vitals, Opioid risk Tool/CAGE, blood, urine, saliva drug screen testing/transcribe results, and enter discharge instructions. Complete consent forms. For sedation procedures document: the pre-op checklist, physician led Time Out checklist, and vitals.
• Assist the physician during procedures that do not require sedation but may require fluoroscopy:
• Actively participate in a physician lead pre-procedure "time out" for all invasive procedures
• Under the direction of the physician, appropriately prep and hold medication vials while the provider draws up medication to administer to a patient during a sterile procedure.

For TMC Inpatient and Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation: Under the supervision and oversight of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Medical Director and/or Manager, and in compliance with Tucson Medical Center Policies and Procedures, AACVPR, and Medicare guidelines, the Medical Assistant provides the following in addition to the tasks mentioned above:

Performs new patient and daily patient intakes including: vital signs, weighing of patients and collecting patient's medical history and current medication regimen, completion of consent forms and patient data entry.

Provides oversight of patient care for Cardiac Rehabilitation Phase III and Phase IV programs including exercise sessions and EKG monitoring.

Monitors and performs Hand Hygiene, PPE and GG audits per TMC policies and regulations.

Develops and maintains necessary records and files for efficient operation and data retrieval.

Records meeting minutes through the use of shorthand or rapid long-hand to maintain accurate record of decisions.

Schedules and maintains departmental calendar of events and assists with management of employee schedule. Assumes responsibility for assigned areas of products to purchase and ensure timely delivery on requested items, for example office supplies and maintenance items.

For TMC Imaging Services: Under the supervision of department leadership, the Medical Assistant provides the following in addition to the tasks mentioned above:

Assists imaging and nursing staff in pre and post procedure room preparation by obtaining necessary supplies and assisting patients as necessary. Ensures procedure rooms are stocked appropriately. Adheres to all radiation safety policies. Escorts patients back to the patient exam rooms, takes patient history; may assist with patient treatment to include peripheral IV insertion, IV discontinuation, and Point of Care Testing ( POCT ) if necessary.

Adheres to TMC organizational and department-specific safety, confidentiality, values, policies and standards.

Performs related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

EDUCATION: High school diploma or general education degree (GED).

EXPERIENCE: Six (6) months of medical assistance experience.

LICENSURE OR CERTIFICATION: Written proof of completion of recognized Medical Assistant course. Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of patient care protocols and practices.

Knowledge of general patient care practice, methods and regulations.

Knowledge of patient privacy regulations.

Skill in attending to patients with care and attention to needs.

Skill in assisting with more complex patient care programs.

Ability to recognize a patient in distress and follow directions to get assistance.

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.

Ability to complete routine reports and correspondence.

Ability to listen and accurately interpret others' communication or instructions to take appropriate action.

Ability to speak effectively in front of doctors, nurses, staff and the general public.

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions.

Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.