At Houston Methodist, the Medical Assistant Certified (MA) position is responsible for assisting in the examination and treatment of patients under the direct supervision of the clinical or administrative leadership. This position is responsible for assisting providers in the administration of patient care in assigned clinical areas. The MA position assists with patient examinations, procedures, diagnostic studies, treatment, and dressing changes. This position also performs general administrative duties in accordance with CLIA, HIPAA, NCQA and government standards, as well as company policies and procedures. The MA position participates in patient care which is under the direction of a physician and within the scope of a medical assistant. This position may also be required to schedule patient appointments, ensure medical necessity compliance, and verify eligibility for care.

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVED
Refer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience.

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Displays cultural humility, diversity, equity and inclusion principles

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Promotes a positive work environment with the interprofessional care team. Participates in teamwork by responding positively to requests for assistance. Works well with others to make contributions to the work effort as a whole and facilitates problem resolution.

• Interacts with peers, staff and physicians in a supportive and respectful manner. Encourages open communication to achieve mutual understanding. Communication to promote both work efforts and problem resolution is clear and professional. Collaborates with all members of the interprofessional team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information in a clear and timely manner. Takes messages via telephone/email to forward to the provider/registered nurse.

• Contributes towards improvement of department scores for employee engagement, i.e. peer-to-peer accountability.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides care to patients visiting the clinic under the direct supervision of a Physician, Registered Nurse, or clinic leadership procedures, using cultural diversity and inclusion principles. In collaboration with the provider team, anticipates the needs of the specific patient population.

• Communicates with patient, obtains and documents vital signs (i.e., pulse rate, temperature, blood pressure, weight, and height), chief complaint(s), preforms medication(s) review, discusses/reviews medical and social history (as appropriate). Documents, in patient's electronic medical record (EMR), care administered, all diagnostic measurements, treatments and procedures in accordance with established policies and procedures.

• Follow-up with patient as appropriate to ensure compliance with recommendations, medications, lab/x-ray results, special visits, PCP visits, dieticians, diabetes educators, etc. Ensures patient utilization and activation of MyChart.

• Contributes towards improving department scores for patient satisfaction through peer-to-peer accountability.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Prepares treatment rooms for examination of patients. Assists with maintaining equipment and supplies.

• Reports observations, conditions and problems of patients to the physician or nurse to achieve desired patient outcomes. Provides for the privacy of patients and families, keeping the safety of the patient in mind.

• Sterilizes instruments and equipment under the supervision of Sr. Medical Assistant or Registered Nurse.

• Contributes to identification of improvement activities, impacting quality and safety targets, through peer-to-peer accountability, reporting near misses, and collaborating with the interprofessional team.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Responsible for stocking exam rooms and taking inventory.

• Uses resources efficiently; does not waste supplies. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks, minimizing incidental overtime. Utilizes time between heavy workloads efficiently and helps other team members.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Offers innovative solutions through participation in performance improvement projects and professional development activities.

• Seeks guidance and validation of knowledge base, skill level and decision making as necessary, especially in areas of question, from preceptor and assigned licensed personnel.

• Completes and updates My Development plan (MDP) on an on-going basis.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Two years of Medical Assistant experience in a clinic/outpatient setting or one year in the Novice-II position

*Experience in a Medical Assistant Call Center Setting 

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• RMA - Registered Medical Assistant (AMT) -- through an approved credentialing certification agency, i.e. American Association of Medical Assistant or American Medical Technologists OR
• CMA - National Certified Medical Assistant (NAHP) OR
• CMA - National Certified Medical Assistant (NCCT) OR
• CMA - National Certified Medical Assistant (NHA) OR
• CAAMA - Credentialed member, American Academy of Medical Administrators (AAMA) OR
• CCMA - National Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (NHA) OR
• EMT - Emergency Medical Technician - State Certification AND
• BLS - Basic Life Support (AHA)

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - PREFERRED

• CPT - Phlebotomy Technician Certification

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• Knowledge of medical practice and care of patients and ability to assist with examinations, diagnostic and treatment procedures, knowledge of medical equipment and instruments

• Skill in developing and maintaining clinical quality assurance to maintain accurate medical records

• Demonstrate a learning attitude toward solving problems, using good reasoning and judgment

• Provide safe patient-centered, compassionate and competent care

• Proficient in computer skills for documentation and work-related purposes

• Completes required continuous training and education, including department-specific requirements. Maintain current certifications

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform Yes
• Scrubs Yes
• Business professional No
• Other (department approved) No

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Houston Methodist Specialty Physician Group - As one of the nation’s leading hospitals and academic medical centers Houston Methodist has brought together some of the nation’s leading experts in multiple specialties to serve our patients.  As part of Houston Methodist Specialty Physician Group (HMSPG), these specialists not only provide excellent clinical care, but are on the forefront of research, developing leading-edge technologies and treatments, and teaching the medical pioneers of tomorrow.  This combination of clinical service, research and academics ensures patients have access to the latest in treatments and technologies while providing the best in comprehensive patient care.  Established as a non-profit corporation and certified by the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners, HMSPG enables physicians to maintain autonomy with respect to their clinical practice while growing their practice within an academic environment.