Medical Support Assistant

About the Role

The Medical Support Assistant, under direct supervision of the provider and/or nursing leadership, performs administrative and clinical tasks to assist in providing quality and compassionate care to patients.

Key Responsibilities

Patient Care

• Escort patients to rooms and prepare them for examinations, procedures, and treatments.
• Obtain and record vital signs in the electronic health record (EHR).
• Obtain and record patient history using critical thinking skills.
• Prepare for, set up, and assist with examinations, procedures, and treatments per protocols, policies, and procedures.
• Prepare, administer, and document oral, parenteral medications, and immunizations as ordered by the supervising provider, adhering to the six rights of medication administration.
• Maintain accurate immunization and medication administration records.
• Document care provided during patient visits in the EHR.
• Recognize and respond to emergencies.
• Actively monitor and respond timely to patient requests via telephone encounter, In Basket message, and/or My Chart, documenting responses in the EHR.
• Enter medication, radiology, and lab orders in the EHR for provider sign-off.
• Discharge patients, providing after-visit instructions to the patient and/or caregiver as directed by the provider.
• Prepare medication refill/request for provider review and signature in the EHR.

Diagnostic

• Collect and transport specimens.
• Perform CLIA-waived tests.
• Perform electrocardiography, respiratory, and other testing based on department needs.
• Perform phlebotomy, including venipuncture and capillary puncture.

Consultation

• Serve as a liaison between patients and medical staff for problems or complaints.
• Schedule, coordinate, and monitor appointments.
• Schedule outpatient procedures.
• Apply third-party and managed care policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Obtain insurance pre-authorizations.
• Enter referrals for provider sign-off.

Quality Assurance

• Participate in departmental/divisional Quality Assessment and Quality Improvement Programs.
• Practice Standard Precautions, including hand washing and disposal of biohazardous materials.
• Apply principles of aseptic and sterile technique.
• Clean instruments and equipment per policies and procedures.
• Comply with all HFHS and departmental-specific safety standards.
• Maintain compliance with regulatory standards regarding practice, environment, and documentation.

Instruction

• Function as a health care advocate to meet individual needs.
• Inform individuals of office policies and procedures.
• Inform patients about health maintenance, disease prevention, and compliance with treatment plans, within the scope of practice and as directed by the supervising physician.
• Identify community resources for health maintenance and disease prevention to meet individual patient needs.

Other

• Uphold goals, policies, procedures, and expectations of Henry Ford Health.
• Support the mission, vision, and values of Henry Ford Health.
• Perform basic clerical duties including answering the phone, maintaining records, and filing.
• Perform basic materials management functions, including ordering and stocking of supplies.
• Assist with maintaining a clean and orderly environment.
• Maintain examination/treatment rooms, including inventory of supplies and equipment.
• Maintain core and applicable specialty competencies as defined by Henry Ford Health.
• Perform other duties as assigned within the scope of practice.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• High school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent.
• Basic computer knowledge and keyboarding skills preferred.
• Ability to perform a wide variety of clinical skills related to ambulatory patient care preferred.
• Ability to problem-solve preferred.
• Possess effective interpersonal and communication skills preferred.
• EPIC (Electronic Medical Record) experience preferred.

Qualifications

• Graduate of a Medical Assistant program with completion of a formal clinical externship (160-hour minimum).
• OR Graduate from a Medical Assistant program without completion of a clinical externship but with a minimum one-year experience in clinical medical assisting within the past five (5) years.
• OR Current Professionally Recognized Medical Assistant Certification with a minimum of one year of experience in clinical medical assisting.
• OR Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).
• OR Licensed Paramedic/Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) with at least one year of clinical experience in a clinical medical setting within the past five (5) years.
• OR Military trained medical personnel with at least one year of clinical experience in a clinical medical setting within the past five (5) years.
• AND Must successfully complete all components of Ambulatory orientation as defined by Henry Ford Health.

Certifications/Licensures Required

• Current BLS-C upon hire or successful completion by end of orientation.

Personal Qualities

• Must meet or exceed core customer service responsibilities, standards, and behaviors.
• Must possess the following personal qualities:
• Be self-directed.
• Be flexible and committed to the team concept.
• Demonstrate teamwork, initiative, and willingness to learn.
• Be open to new learning experiences.
• Accepts and respects diversity without judgment.
• Demonstrates customer service values.