Medical Assistant - Lowell General Hospital

Job Profile Summary

This role focuses on providing medical and clinical support services to patients. In addition, this role focuses performing the following duties: Prepares patient rooms, escorts patients to rooms, takes vitals and documents patient information; assists physicians with procedures and educates patients on specimen collection. Performs clerical or administrative duties in support of clinical operations. A clinical technologist role that has specialized knowledge or skills gained through a combination of vocational education, training, and experience. This role will be most commonly applied to patient care and/or scientific/laboratory jobs. An entry-level role typically requiring little to no prior knowledge or experience and requiring vocational or technical education.  Work is routine or follows standard procedures, is closely supervised, and communicates information that requires little explanation or interpretation.

Job Overview

Under general supervision of licensed personnel, this position is responsible for continuous, efficient and smooth patient flow in the outpatient/ambulatory setting.  The position is a patient liaison through both clinical and administrative responsibilities.  Plays an important role in the revenue cycle process, clinical operations, and patient experience. Responds to hourly variations in patient volume, clinician and room availability to continually maximize efficient use of space and resources in the clinic; identifies and provides necessary clinical and administrative preparation pertaining to patient care according to protocols; assists with patient care as warranted and within their scope of practice.

Job Description

Minimum Qualifications:

1. High School Diploma or equivalent.

2. Completion of Clinical Program OR Six (6) months of clinical experience in a healthcare setting.

3. Basic Life Support Certification OR Obtain within three (3) months.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Two (2) years of medical office experience.

3. Bi-Lingual.

4. Experience with electronic medical record systems.

Duties and Responsibilities: The duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature of work and are not intended to be an all-inclusive list.  Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned.

1. Controls and monitors patient flow to maximize efficient use of providers and exam rooms. Communicates delays to patients and providers. Responds to variations in patient volume, provider ability, and resources (e.g. early arrivals, no shows, providers who are absent, etc.) by making continual adjustments in room utilization and assignment.

2. Prepares medical record for patient visit, confirming accuracy with patient identifiers, entering chief complaint and social history. This may require interviewing the patient to obtain data.

3. Exercises a high degree of customer service in all interactions with patients, internal and external customers.

4. Provides a safe, comfortable, and clean environment for patients and families.

5. Escorts patient to exam room and prepares patient for provider visit.  This may include pediatric, adult, or geriatric patients.  Checks to ensure patient comfort, privacy, and safety.

6. Ensures patient and personal safety.  Completes a fall risk assessment.  May sit with a patient who needs monitoring.

7. Prepares exam room for each patient in accordance with needs of patient’s visit.

8. Assists and/or chaperones providers/nursing with physical exams, treatments and procedures as necessary.

9. Performs and records vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, temperature, oxygen saturation, height and weight), records patient’s stated level of pain, and reviews list of medications with patient.

10. Performs collection of specimens and/or ensures the necessary supplies and equipment are ready for the provider to use during the visit.

11. Performs Point of Care Testing (POC) as ordered including but not limited to Urine dips, HCG testing, Strep A, HGB A1C, and glucose testing.

12. Performs quality control checks on equipment.

13. Assists in arranging for diagnostic testing and surgical procedures under direction of the nurse or physician.

14. Assists with patient billing by ensuring CPT codes, diagnosis codes and all supplies and procedures are indicated on charting.

15. Ensures outside paperwork is scanned into patient’s electronic medical record.

16. Processes and tracks referrals and prior authorizations as requested/ordered by provider. Notifies provider of patient requests for referrals and prescription renewals.

17. Stocks, maintains and rotates medical supplies in clinic rooms daily according to clinic demands.  Monitors expiration dates. Monitors medical supply inventory for clinic and orders medical supplies as needed.

18. Participates in unit specific quality improvement projects i.e. hand washing audits, time-outs, refrigerator/medication logs, daily/monthly code cart checks.

19. Provides administrative support which may include coordinating interpreter services, answering telephone calls, taking accurate messages, forwarding messages, and faxing.

20. May be asked to cover satellite locations.

Physical Requirements:

1. Occasional lifting of 30-35 pounds and turning of patients.

2. Prolonged standing and walking.

3. Occasional twisting, bending, reaching, pushing/pulling, sitting, kneeling, and squatting.

4. Exposure to infectious disease and possible carcinogenic chemicals.

5. Exposure of blood-borne pathogens.

6. Requires fine manual dexterity to lift and maneuver patients.

7. Requires visual and aural acuity necessary to monitor patient care.

Skills & Abilities:

1. Demonstrates organizational skills and attention to detail. Ability to prioritize work and complete tasks in a timely manner.

2. Works independently and accurately with excellent follow-through.

3. Basic to moderate computer skills including documents, spreadsheets, e-mail and automated scheduling software and the ability to navigate through electronic medical record systems.

4. Ability to read, write and spell in English to ensure accurate message taking and documentation.

5. Good interpersonal skills.

6. Knowledge and ability to use universal precautions and knowledge of patient handling.

7. Knowledge of Epic.

8. Skills and knowledge necessary to provide care to patients throughout the life span, with consideration of aging processes, human development stages and cultural patterns in each step of the care process. This includes: Knowledge of growth and development; Ability to interpret age specific data and response to care; and Provide age specific communication.

9. Maintains sensitive and confidential patient information according to HIPAA.

Tufts Medicine is a leading integrated health system bringing together the best of academic and community healthcare to deliver exceptional, connected and accessible care experiences to consumers across Massachusetts. Comprised of Tufts Medical Center, Lowell General Hospital, MelroseWakefield Hospital, Lawrence Memorial Hospital of Medford, Care at Home - an expansive home care network, and large integrated physician network. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity and inclusion at Tufts Medicine. Tufts Medicine does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, national origin, gender identity and/or expression, marital status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation by emailing us at