Certified Medical Assistant - Patient Care Associate - BMS Middlesex

Baltimore Medical System (BMS) is an innovative, Federally Qualified Health Center dedicated to improving the health and wellness of medically underserved communities in the Greater Baltimore area. The largest FQHC in Maryland, our mission is to improve the health in the communities we serve by providing safe, high quality, accessible and affordable health care.

We offer a variety of comprehensive services including: adult medicine, family medicine, pediatrics, ob/gyn, behavioral health, and health education through 5 community health centers and 8 school based health centers. The system has approximately 40 primary care providers and nearly 60 total providers serving 45,000 active patients. To learn more about BMS, please visit our website at www.bmsi.org.

Baltimore Medical System is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Patient Care Associate (PCA) is a certified (or registered) medical assistant and is both clinical and administrative in nature with approximately 60% of time spent on administrative, analytical and/or clerical functions. The PCA is a valued member of the care team who assists medical providers with patient care activities in keeping with the duties of a medical assistant and is also responsible for maintaining records and interacting in a professional, friendly manner with patients, family members, physicians, clinicians, staff, and visitors. The PCA is responsible for training and mentoring new medical assistants and PCAs. This position is also responsible for clinical process improvement and acts as a coordinator and liaison between center leadership, and the care team. The PCA is an active participant on Performance Improvement Teams and works to document, record, monitor and present Performance Improvement efforts and progress. This position is responsible for proactively identifying flow and other center-based issues and making recommendations for resolution of the problem. In addition to the clinical duties, the PCA may be required to fill some Center Service Representative (front desk) responsibilities and may be cross trained to cover other positions when needed.

Frequent communication outside of the work group is required to resolve disagreements, reach agreements and clarify issues/processes. Responsibility exists to ensure that internal customers are satisfied with service. Communicates with external contacts frequently and is responsible to ensure ongoing service.

Carries out responsibilities in accordance with Baltimore Medical System Core Values, policies/ procedures and applicable civil laws. Is accountable for efficient use of resources and support of the BMS mission.

Essential functions :

• Escorts patients to rooms, takes history, takes vitals, obtains medication information and completes patient screening forms.
• Assists physicians with examinations, assists with procedures as requested. Prepares patients for procedures performed in the office.
• Cleans exam rooms and equipment, performing sterilization procedures as necessary.
• Ensure exam rooms are properly stocked with medical supplies, forms, and other materials needed.
• Contacts outside medical offices and testing facilities to obtain records for visits as necessary.
• Accesses patient charts prior to scheduled visits with the required forms and by gathering pertinent medical information. Contacts outside medical offices and testing facilities to obtain records for visit.
• Understand appropriate cleaning/sterilization procedures for equipment, surfaces and monitors the work areas for compliance.
• Conducts appropriate hand hygiene procedures according to policy and universal precautions and works with the center management team on Quality Assurance infection control processes (audits, reports, education).
• Answers phone calls, documents information from patients via telephone, relays information to physicians for response; places return calls as directed by physicians; documents phone calls and other patient correspondence in the electronic record promptly per policy.
• Conducts pre-visit planning by reviewing patient charts for visits and by gathering pertinent medical information. Discusses patient with provider via team huddles.
• Contacts outside medical offices and testing facilities to obtain records for visits as necessary. Prepares charts according to each physician’s individual preference.
• Schedules all tests and minor procedures and obtains pre-certification/pre-authorization for these tests and procedures as required by insurance carrier.
• Calls pharmacies to refill prescriptions under the direction of a physician and obtains authorizations for prescriptions and prescription refills as required by insurance.
• Completes all necessary documentation during visits.
• Assists in specimen collection. Labels specimens and accurately completes and submits paperwork to appropriate lab based on managed care contracts.
• Orders and maintains clinical supplies for department as needed.
• Administers testing and injections as ordered by the physician.
• Works with the center staff to coordinate patient flow and to assure that operations are working smoothly.
• Participates in tracking activities to support the Patient Centered approach to care like lab tracking or referral tracking.
• Accurately and thoroughly enters scheduling data. No shows/cancellations documented and communicated to the patient and the medical provider.
• Ensure demographics are accurate and entered properly and insurance verifications are completed for all patients.
• Functions in the role of a preceptor, providing training support and mentorship for newly hired Medical Assistants or Patient Care Associates.
• Teaches and demonstrates BMS standards for customer services and acts as a resource person for information on center functions and standard operating procedures.
• Acts as a patient advocate and work to exceed the expectations of the patient.
• Participates in the communication with the care team, patient, family, and external partners (payers, hospitals) regarding a patient’s with the treatment plan (following HIPAA guidelines).
• Responsible for proactively identifying flow and other center based issues and making recommendations for resolution of the problem.
• Participates in organizational Performance Improvement Teams, PCMH teams or Joint Commission teams.
• Has an intermediate knowledge of Joint Commission standards and PCMH standards and works to maintain team compliance with these standards.
• Abides by HIPAA with all patient communication and correspondence.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Education:

High school diploma or equivalent education and/or experience

Certificate of completion from an accredited medical assistant program or a higher level of medical education (i.e., accredited LPN program, RN program.)

Preferred Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Nursing

Required Certifications, Licenses, Registrations:

RMA administered by American Medical Technologists ( AMT)

CMA administered by American Association of Medication Assistants (AAMA)

CCMA administered by National Healthcare Association (NHA)

NCMA administered by National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)

Required Experience:

5 years experience as an Medical Assistant in primary or specialty care