Certified Medical Assistant

Responsibilities

• Assist with the initial admission of patients to the clinic, go over medical records request with patient and assist provider by gathering health information (personal history, personal social history, family history, medications and allergies) for the provider.
• Take routine vital signs of patients, including temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure and pulse oximetry.
• Facilitate medication refills (phoning prescriptions or by electronic submission) to pharmacies after provider has reviewed and approved them.
• Assist with paperwork related to prior authorizations or referrals.
• Perform routine lab tests in clinic setting consistent with training and clinical policies (i.e., urine dipstick, urine pregnancy, finger-stick blood glucose, rapid step, rapid influenza A, B swab collection) and document results if test completed within the clinic.
• Perform skin tests (tuberculin) but may NOT interpret results.
• Administer injections, immunizations, and oral medications as ordered by the provider and document appropriately in the patient chart.
• Perform visual acuity tests, hearing screening (whisper test), and nebulizer treatments as directed by a provider.
• Prepare patients for examination or procedures including positioning, draping, shaving, and disinfecting treatment sites.
• Collect and label specimens brought to the laboratory.
• Set up appropriate procedure trays for providers.
• Obtain consents for procedures including patient sign consent forms.
• Assist provider with procedures, minor excisions/biopsies, sutures, pap smears, pelvic exams and ear lavage.
• Assist in removing sutures or staples from superficial wounds directed by provider.
• Assist in removing casts, splints, and other external devices as directed by a provider and within scope of practice.
• Apply and change basic dressings (basic or simple dressings only include the application of ointment, telfa, 4x4s and cotton wrap to minor wounds and changing old dressing only after the provider has made an assessment).
• Coordinate and schedule appointments for patient flow and follow‑up as well as monitor daily schedule for potential facilitation of urgent and walk‑in care, as needed.
• Review provider instructions with patients regarding home care and return visits.
• Take and document messages or document patient complaints only – NOT triaging. (Triaging is the screening and classification of ill or injured patients to determine their medical needs).
• Document and maintain the inventory/outdates and patient logs for medication (samples), Private and VFC vaccines. Perform monthly checks for outdates stocking and reconciliation of inventory. POC testing for Quality (glucose monitor) and document in log.
• Check biohazard waste/sharps containers as needed for disposal.
• Administer oxygen therapies per mask or nasal cannula as prescribed/directed by a provider.
• Administer prescribed drops to nose, eye, and ear as directed by a provider.
• Apply antibiotic ointment to the inside of the lower eyelid as directed by a provider.
• Safely perform all duties and follow required protective protocols to ensure personal safety as well as the safety of others.
• Ensure that all duties, responsibilities, and operations are performed with the utmost regard for safety and health of all personnel involved.
• Uphold the mission of Mountrail County Health Center.
• Other duties as assigned by Supervisor.