Medical Assistant Position Description

FLSA Status: Non-exempt
Job Type: Full-time
Position Reports to: Nurse Manager
Employee Level: I

About Multi-Cultural Health Evaluation Delivery System (MHEDS)

MHEDS was established 50 years ago as a joint project of the Erie Diocesan Mission Office and the Erie Council of Churches to meet the health needs of African-American and Hispanic Farm Workers and other low-income individuals and their families. Refugee and immigrant health were added in the late 1990s. On January 1, 2019, MHEDS entered the Federally Qualified Health Center system as a Look-Alike.

Our service area is the City of Erie. Our mission is to enable all who wish to achieve complete mental, physical and social well-being by providing equitable, culturally sensitive, patient-centered health care, regardless of their ability to pay. MHEDS has a very diverse panel of patients: 35% are Asian, 29% Black/African American, 29% White, and the remainder mixed race. 6% are Latino/a. As an FQHC Look-Alike, MHEDS must comply with standards that ensure all patients have access to comprehensive health care services. We also offer health insurance enrollment, interpretation, and translation.

MHEDS expanded by opening a second site at the JFK Center in 2020. The second site allowed us to begin to offer women’s health and accommodation to serve more new arrivals. In late 2021, MHEDS began receiving Afghan refugees along with its anticipated arrivals. In early 2022 we began receiving Ukrainian refugees. Our anticipated 549 new patients became 1,010. This Federal Fiscal Year, we have been told to expect 750 refugees plus additional Afghans and an unknown number of Ukrainians. Eighty percent of MHEDS’ staff are hired from within the New American group, allowing us to be more aligned both linguistically and culturally with those we serve.

Company Values

Here at MHEDS, we are Flexible, Ethical, Positive Communicators, Culturally Competent, Productive, and Team Players. (See Attachment A).

Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical Duties

• Accurately records chief complaint and medical history in the medical record.
• Completes and documents a thorough medication assessment, including over-the counter medications, alternative medications, intolerances and allergies.
• Maintains an accurate list of all current medications by reviewing at each visit and assessing adherence.
• Takes accurate vital signs and records them properly in the medical record.
• Completes vision and hearing screenings (as needed) accurately and records them in the medical record.
• Conducts and records additional screenings (including, but not limited to depression, tobacco use, exposure to domestic violence, food insecurity, PRAPARE) as required per protocol. Collects any additional information that is needed for the visit.
• Conducts pre-visit planning prior to patient arrival to prepare for the workday; participates in morning huddles to share information with the team. 
• Reviews missing screenings in the alerts section of the medical record; completes base on standing order; if Medical Assistant is unable to complete the missing screening, they alert the provider for completion.
• Rooms the patient in preparation for the provider and alerts provider of patient readiness for examination.
• Prepares and clean rooms and instruments according to infection control policy.
• Assesses the immunization status of all patients and ensures immunizations are current; administers vaccinations in accordance with current guidelines.
• Accurately records the vaccine administrations in the electronic health record and in the PA-SIIS reporting system.
• Accurately performs CLIA waived lab tests when ordered by the clinician, or with a standing order, per MHEDS policy.
• Collects and labels blood/urine/stool specimens as ordered and prepares for pick up by lab.
• Administers in-clinic therapies as prescribed.
• Prints summary of visit and educational materials as directed, explaining content to the patient and instructing them in the checkout process. 
• Checks and maintains clinical supplies inventory.
• Participates with other clinical staff in quality improvement activities.
• Assists clinicians with procedures (including, but not limited to suture removal, pap smears) as needed.
• Assists with in-clinic interpretation if multilingual.

Administrative Duties

• Assists the front desk staff as needed with scheduling appointments, answering the phone, taking messages and faxes, taking copays, verifying insurance and other clerical work. 
• Answers incoming phone calls to assist with durable medical equipment requests, form completion, medication refills, and scheduling requests. 

Safety

• Adheres to safety, infection control, patient confidentiality, and related policies and procedures.

Company Values

• Ensures the six domains of healthcare quality are met during each patient visit: patient safety, effectiveness, patient-centered, timeliness, efficiency, and equity. 
• Consistent with MHEDS’ values, treats all supervisors, co-workers, direct reports, patients, and any other internal or external person with respect and dignity. 
• All other duties as assigned by supervisor and/or based on the needs of the health center. 

Supervisory Capacity

This position does not supervise any position. (See Attachment B for position identification on the Organization Chart).

Education and/or Experience

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Graduation from an accredited Medical Assistant program(Please note, if not already certified, MHEDS will fund the certification exam following one year of employment.)
• Current Basic Life Support certification.
• Experience working with an Electronic Health Record required.
• At least two years of Medical Assistant experience preferred.

Language Skills

Must be able to speak and write in English. Additional language capabilities are a plus.

Physical Demands

Normal medical/administrative office setting demands include lifting and carrying or delivering supplies that usually weigh less than 10 pounds, but may occasionally weigh 20-30 pounds, within the building. Must possess a valid driver’s license and have the ability to drive a private vehicle.

Work Environment

The office and clinical areas are well illuminated, climate controlled, indoor areas. Work involves some exposure to hazards typical to a medical office environment, including potential exposure to infectious diseases and blood borne pathogens, chemical exposures, fire, mechanical and electrical hazards. Protective clothing and equipment are provided and required to be worn in potential exposure situations.