Clinical Assistant: Surgery

Position Summary:

Under the general supervision of practice leadership, in partnership with Physicians and Advanced Practice Providers (APPs), works as a part of the team to provide safe, therapeutic, and efficient care and services to patients.

The pre-med gap year student, interested in pursuing a career in a medical/healthcare related field, will work as a member of the patient care delivery team and gain relevant work experience.

Supports both clinical and operational staff per established policies and procedures while assuming responsibilities for direct and indirect patient care activities.

Clinical Duties: Assists physician or APP with exam preparation, during the exam, and post exam to ensure all phases of the patient’s care are addressed.

Works as a collaborative member of the clinical team to ensure safe high-quality services. Independently perform history of patients, specific to Review of Systems and Personal ,Family, Surgical histories.

• Obtains and documents reason for visit, patient vital signs, including temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respirations, pulse oximetry, height, and weight.
• Prepares patient for visit and/or procedure by assuring the patient is undressed and appropriately gowned.
  
  Assists providers with examinations; can serve as a chaperone for exams of a personal nature.
• With completion and documentation of education and competencies, performs Point-of-Care (POC) testing which may include EKG, blood glucose, hemoccult, and specific gravity testing.
  
  Performs quality control and maintains related records.
  
  Communicates all results to the provider.
• Collects specimens and labels as directed using appropriate or specified equipment for collecting and handling specimens such as fingerstick blood glucose, urine dipstick and culture, urine pregnancy test, and hemoccult testing.
  
  Performs data entry of POC lab results into the patient’s chart.
• Ensures all patient care areas are adequately stocked with unexpired supplies. Notifies supervisor when reorder points are reached.

Quality Outcomes: Assists physician and/or APP to achieve desired health outcomes for patients by providing safe, effective, timely, efficient, equitable, and patient centered care.

• Improve patient outcomes by assisting in the achievement of quality measures for value-based programs.
  
  Ensures accurate documentation of patient specific clinical care that contributes to quality measures.
  
  Works quality of care gap closure lists as assigned.
• Practices fiscal responsibility through improvement and innovation.
  
  Attends practice meetings as assigned.
  
  Looks for opportunities to improve practice quality, safety, and patient experience.
• Possess a thorough understanding of the importance of confidentiality and non-disclosure according to the general standards set forth by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996.
• When physician is unavailable, keeps the patient updated on the status of their appointment and when necessary, assists the patient in re-scheduling or scheduling follow-up.
• Culturally sensitive and demonstrated ability and effectiveness working with ethnically diverse populations

Safety and Quality Control: Demonstrates a commitment to patients, family, and staff by complying as applicable to all safety regulations as required by The Maryland Department of Health (MDOH), The Joint Commission (TJC), and The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

• Adheres to and maintains established policies and procedures, objectives, quality measures, safety, environmental, and infection control standards.
  
  Supports all agency standards such as the Maryland Department of Health, The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) or the Joint Commission as they relate to an assigned area.
• Immediately reports errors including clinical, clerical, and near misses to practice leadership. Understands the impact of medical errors and methodology that will lead to reduction of errors.
• Adheres to all infection control policies and standards.
  
  Maintains exam rooms according to protocols and cleans rooms between patient exams to ensure patients' comfort and compliance with infection control…