Medical Assistant - Respite/Bridge

Overview

The Medical Assistant - Respite/Bridge will be part of a collaborative, multidisciplinary team that will support the clients in the Medical Respite Program, ambulatory clinic, or in various locations throughout the community to improve healthcare outcomes for patients experiencing homelessness. The Medical Respite program allows individuals who are experiencing homelessness a safe place to rest and recuperative from a medical condition. While participants focus on improving their health, they can also work on addressing other needs like housing and benefits. The Bridge Program provides access to healthcare in a clinic setting and focuses on reaching people outside the clinic meeting people where they are delivering needed health care in areas in our community. Under direction of licensed medical and/or licensed nursing personnel, the MA – Respite/Bridge takes a central role in the delivery of health care for the Medical Respite program. This position collaborates with other professional disciplines to ensure effective and efficient client care delivery and the achievement of desired client outcomes.

Our Medical Assistants model a commitment to the organization's vision/mission/values to support an unparalleled client experience and positive clinical outcomes.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions:

• Delivers care to patients in our diverse care environments and ensures all needs of the client are met, in conformance with established policies and procedures.
• In the respite environment, with client intake process: helps client process admission paperwork, orienting client to facility, explaining program policies and procedures/ rules / expectations, assists multidisciplinary team and respite clients as needed with case management duties. Accompanies clients to critical medical care appointments and serves as their advocate during health care encounter. Assists with client discharge planning.
• When working in a clinic setting, performs clinical duties as assigned and competency validated in accordance with Standing Delegation Orders including, but not limited to: administering medications, immunizations, setting up exam or procedure rooms, preparing patients for examinations and /or treatments, assisting provider with exams or procedures, cleaning and disinfection of equipment, exam rooms and storage, stocking exam rooms, perform quality control checks on equipment as per manufacturer guidelines. Adheres to approved workflows for pre-visit planning, rooming and wrap up, utilizing AIDET during each patient interaction to enhance the patient experience. As required and competency validated, performs appropriate EKG, spirometry, point of care testing, specimen collection, staple and suture removal, wound care, toenail cutting, phlebotomy, equipment cleaning/reprocessing and other requested procedures.
• As part of community-based Bridge services, in addition to clinical functions described above performs appointment registration duties including verifying and entering patient demographic and insurance information in the electronic medical system, collects co‐payments/deductibles, complete closing and/or end of day processes. May be required to operate a company vehicle to community-based locations for the provision of health care services. 
• Enhances the patient experience by performing in-basket management, addressing MyChart messages, assisting with pre-certifications, referrals, authorizations, and scheduling of patients for clinic, hospital and other ancillary medical treatments and tests.
• Collaborates with the client’s care team including, primary care team, specialists, home care, hospital team, and any others involved with the client’s care to optimize clinical outcomes.
• Assist clients with MAP eligibility process if needed and ensure all eligibility processes for submitting an application are followed to ensure successful completion.
• Documents all client encounters and contacts made with clients utilizing enterprise electronic health record.
• Assists clients with accessing health related services, including but not limited to obtaining a medical home, providing instruction and appropriate use of the medical home,  overcoming barriers to obtaining needed medical care and/ or social services.
• Participates in client care huddles.
• Respects patient confidentiality at all times and treats patients with courtesy and respect.
• Collaborates, communicates respectfully and professionally with all members of the care team in providing patient-centered care and regarding processes and clinical issues.
• Develops and maintains favorable internal relationships, partnerships with co-workers, including managers, clinical support staff, providers.
• Participates in patient care huddles and interdisciplinary case conferences.
• Participates in continuous quality improvement projects in order to better serve the patient, family and health care system to improve the quality of service provided.
• Attends staff meetings and education offerings both in person and via teleconference/online as required.
• Supports organizational initiatives to promote and maintain a strong positive workplace culture.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated knowledge of activities associated with the delivery of quality Medical Assistant duties.
• High level of skill at building relationships and providing excellent customer service.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to utilize computers for data entry and information retrieval.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Medical Assistant Diploma and/or National Medical Assistant Certification verifying graduation from a Medical Assistant Program or equivalent military healthcare experience.

Experience: 

• Completion of a Medical Assistant externship.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Current Texas Drivers License in good standing
• Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers obtained through approved American Heart Association

Travel Requirements:

• Estimated Amount: Thirty Percent (30%) 
• As part of Bridge community-based services, may travel to designated locations throughout the community to provide healthcare services. May also travel to off-site meetings and trainings.