Southern Immediate Care
Medical Assistant Occupational Medicine
Southern Immediate Care, Birmingham, Alabama, United States, 35275
A medical assistant in an occupational medicine clinic plays a critical role in supporting the delivery of healthcare services to workers, focusing on preventing and treating work-related illnesses and injuries. They perform a blend of administrative and clinical duties to ensure the smooth operation of the clinic and provide excellent patient care.
Key responsibilities
Patient intake and preparation: Greeting patients, taking and documenting vital signs (blood pressure, temperature, pulse, respiration rate, and blood oxygen levels), updating medical histories, and explaining procedures to patients.
Assisting with examinations and procedures: Preparing examination rooms, assisting providers during examinations and minor surgical procedures (such as wound care and stitches), and providing emotional support to patients.
Specimen collection and processing: Drawing blood and collecting urine, hair and saliva samples for laboratory testing and preparing them for analysis.
Administering medications: Giving injections (like vaccinations) and administering medications, as directed by the physician.
Wound care and maintenance: Cleaning and changing wound dressings, applying bandages, and assisting with basic wound care.
Maintaining accurate medical records: Updating and maintaining electronic health records (EHRs) with patient information, including medical histories, vital signs, test results, diagnoses, treatment instructions, and prescriptions.
Scheduling and administrative tasks: Scheduling patient appointments, managing patient check-in and check-out processes, handling phone calls, coordinating referrals, and assisting with insurance forms and billing.
Infection control and equipment maintenance: Cleaning and sterilizing medical instruments, restocking examination rooms, maintaining medical supplies, and following infection control protocols.
Essential skills
Clinical skills: Taking vital signs, phlebotomy, administering injections, and performing basic diagnostic tests.
Administrative skills: Scheduling, record keeping, medical billing and coding knowledge, and managing supplies.
Communication skills: Excellent written and verbal communication, active listening, and the ability to explain medical information clearly to patients.
Interpersonal skills: Compassion, empathy, respect, and the ability to build rapport with patients and work effectively within a healthcare team, according to Saint Paul's School of Nursing.
Organizational skills: Attention to detail, time management, and the ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
Critical thinking and problem-solving: Recognizing changes in patient conditions and escalating concerns to the physician, troubleshooting equipment issues, and prioritizing tasks efficiently.
Required qualifications
High school diploma or equivalent.
Completion of an accredited medical assistant program (or equivalent).
Current certification as a Medical Assistant (CMA, RMA, CCMA, or NCMA).
Current CPR/BLS certification.
Proficiency in using electronic health records (EHR) and medical software.
Knowledge of medical terminology and clinical procedures.
Key responsibilities
Patient intake and preparation: Greeting patients, taking and documenting vital signs (blood pressure, temperature, pulse, respiration rate, and blood oxygen levels), updating medical histories, and explaining procedures to patients.
Assisting with examinations and procedures: Preparing examination rooms, assisting providers during examinations and minor surgical procedures (such as wound care and stitches), and providing emotional support to patients.
Specimen collection and processing: Drawing blood and collecting urine, hair and saliva samples for laboratory testing and preparing them for analysis.
Administering medications: Giving injections (like vaccinations) and administering medications, as directed by the physician.
Wound care and maintenance: Cleaning and changing wound dressings, applying bandages, and assisting with basic wound care.
Maintaining accurate medical records: Updating and maintaining electronic health records (EHRs) with patient information, including medical histories, vital signs, test results, diagnoses, treatment instructions, and prescriptions.
Scheduling and administrative tasks: Scheduling patient appointments, managing patient check-in and check-out processes, handling phone calls, coordinating referrals, and assisting with insurance forms and billing.
Infection control and equipment maintenance: Cleaning and sterilizing medical instruments, restocking examination rooms, maintaining medical supplies, and following infection control protocols.
Essential skills
Clinical skills: Taking vital signs, phlebotomy, administering injections, and performing basic diagnostic tests.
Administrative skills: Scheduling, record keeping, medical billing and coding knowledge, and managing supplies.
Communication skills: Excellent written and verbal communication, active listening, and the ability to explain medical information clearly to patients.
Interpersonal skills: Compassion, empathy, respect, and the ability to build rapport with patients and work effectively within a healthcare team, according to Saint Paul's School of Nursing.
Organizational skills: Attention to detail, time management, and the ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
Critical thinking and problem-solving: Recognizing changes in patient conditions and escalating concerns to the physician, troubleshooting equipment issues, and prioritizing tasks efficiently.
Required qualifications
High school diploma or equivalent.
Completion of an accredited medical assistant program (or equivalent).
Current certification as a Medical Assistant (CMA, RMA, CCMA, or NCMA).
Current CPR/BLS certification.
Proficiency in using electronic health records (EHR) and medical software.
Knowledge of medical terminology and clinical procedures.