Clinical Assistant - Gap Year: Family Medicine

Position Summary:

Under the general supervision of practice leadership, in partnership with Physicians and Advanced Practice Providers (APPs), works as a part of the team to provides safe, therapeutic, and efficient care and services to patients. The pre-med gap year student, interested in pursuing a career in a medical/healthcare related field, will work as a member of the patient care delivery team and gain relevant work experience. Supports both clinical and operational staff per established policies and procedures while assuming responsibilities for direct and indirect patient care activities.

Essential Functions:

Clinical Duties: Assists physician or APP with exam preparation, during the exam, and post exam to ensure all phases of the patient’s care are addressed. Works as a collaborative member of the clinical team to ensure safe high-quality services. Independently perform history of patients, specific to Review of Systems and Personal ,Family, Surgical histories.

• Obtains and documents reason for visit, patient vital signs, including temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respirations, pulse oximetry, height, and weight.
• Prepares patient for visit and/or procedure by assuring the patient is undressed and appropriately gowned. Assists providers with examinations; can serve as a chaperone for exams of a personal nature.
• With completion and documentation of education and competencies, performs Point-of-Care (POC) testing which may include EKG, blood glucose, hemoccult, and specific gravity testing. Performs quality control and maintains related records. Communicates all results to the provider.
• Collects specimens and labels as directed using appropriate or specified equipment for collecting and handling specimens such as fingerstick blood glucose, urine dipstick and culture, urine pregnancy test, and hemoccult testing. Performs data entry of POC lab results into the patient’s chart.
• Ensures all patient care areas are adequately stocked with unexpired supplies. Notifies supervisor when reorder points are reached.

Quality Outcomes: Assists physician and/or APP to achieve desired health outcomes for patients by providing safe, effective, timely, efficient, equitable, and patient centered care.

• Improve patient outcomes by assisting in the achievement of quality measures for value-based programs. Ensures accurate documentation of patient specific clinical care that contributes to quality measures. Works quality of care gap closure lists as assigned.
• Practices fiscal responsibility through improvement and innovation. Attends practice meetings as assigned. Looks for opportunities to improve practice quality, safety, and patient experience.
• Possess a thorough understanding of the importance of confidentiality and non-disclosure according to the general standards set forth by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996.
• When physician is unavailable, keeps the patient updated on the status of their appointment and when necessary, assists the patient in re-scheduling or scheduling follow-up.
• Culturally sensitive and demonstrated ability and effectiveness working with ethnically diverse populations

Safety and Quality Control: Demonstrates a commitment to patients, family, and staff by complying as applicable to all safety regulations as required by The Maryland Department of Health (MDOH), The Joint Commission (TJC), and The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

• Adheres to and maintains established policies and procedures, objectives, quality measures, safety, environmental, and infection control standards. Supports all agency standards such as the Maryland Department of Health, The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) or the Joint Commission as they relate to an assigned area.
• Immediately reports errors including clinical, clerical, and near misses to practice leadership. Understands the impact of medical errors and methodology that will lead to reduction of errors. 
• Adheres to all infection control policies and standards. Maintains exam rooms according to protocols and cleans rooms between patient exams to ensure patients' comfort and compliance with infection control standards.
• Assists with undressing, gowning, and dressing patients as needed. Safely assists with transporting patients via wheelchair when necessary. Possess the knowledge to keep patients safe in all areas of the patient care setting.

Teamwork/Professionalism: Embraces LifeBridge Health’s SPIRIT Values to ensure a positive patient and family experience every visit, every time. Fosters teamwork with coworkers and providers while practicing fiscal responsibility.

• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the lifespan of the assigned patient population.
• Demonstrates a commitment to patient, visitor, and staff by complying with all applicable safety regulations.
• Maintains established policies and procedures, objectives, quality assessment, safety, environmental and infection control standards.
• Maintains cleanliness of work areas as required.
• Provides outstanding service to all customers; fosters teamwork; and practices fiscal responsibility through improvement and innovation.

Communication: Consistently provides effective and structured communication that results in timely, accurate, and appropriate transfer of information to the clinical team.

• Demonstrates appropriate phone etiquette by identifying self and department. Places calls on hold with the caller’s permission and keeps callers informed when there is a wait.
• Demonstrates professional written communication, through email, portal, letters, and or texting to patients, family, and providers. 
• Identifies patient, records date and time, and records message accurately. Determines nature of call and provides general information as directed by the provider. Refers complex questions, or calls requiring triage, to appropriate licensed staff. 
• Routes messages in a timely manner to intended party per LBHMG policy. Utilizes the EHR for documentation of communication.
• Retrieves and responds to voicemail messages timely according to departmental guidelines. Reads and responds timely to email within departmental guidelines.

Operational Support: Performs general office duties necessary to support physician practice. Works in conjunction with other staff members to ensure efficient and effective operation of the office.

• Assists patients by arranging for diagnostic and therapeutic services. Completes necessary paperwork and scheduling of patient appointments.
• Under the direct supervision of the physician or APP, tracks, reviews, and monitors test results EXCEPT for abnormal results, prescription renewals, and clinical advice.
• Performs office duties including but not limited to patient registration, scheduling, maintaining medical records, filing patient charts, and composing general correspondence. Monitors and assists with processing forms, faxes, and paperwork of the clinical care team.
• Answers phones as needed. Obtains comprehensive health information to assist providers in determining urgency of care, alternate venues for care, or same day access when possible. Returns all patient calls within a timely manner. 
• Attends meetings and trainings as required. Performs other duties as assigned. Maintains a visible presence in the clinical area in between tasks.

Level of Supervision:

Required: Work is reviewed daily

Contacts:

Frequent contacts, within or outside of the Company. Requires tact, discretion, and working knowledge of Company procedures and policies. 

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Does this position regularly supervise others? No

Type of Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Qualifications/Requirements:

Education/Knowledge Required Experience Required: Basic professional knowledge; equivalent to a Bachelor's degree; working knowledge of theory and practice within a specialized field

Education Discipline: Successful completion of premedical coursework or a post-baccalaureate premedical program

Intention to matriculate into medical/PA school

Technical/Clinical Skills Required:

• Microsoft Office Suite
• Basic computer skills
• Cerner
• Healthstream
• Standard Office Equipment
• Medical terminology
• Critical thinking skills
• Medical equipment
• Motivational interviewing
• Time Management
• Care coordination 

Certifications, Licenses, Registrations Required: American Heart Association CPR Certification (Red Cross/Heartsaver is not accepted)

Communication Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrates the ability to follow verbal instructions.
• Demonstrates the ability to communicate effectively verbally.
• Demonstrates the ability to communicate effectively in writing.

Physical Demands and Working Enviroment:

Physical Demands: Medium - Exerts up to 50 lbs. of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 lbs. of force frequently to move objects.

Work Environment:

• Exposure to Weather - Exposure to hot, cold, wet, humid, or windy conditions caused by the weather.
• Blood-Borne Pathogen Exposure
• Contact Job - Potential exposure to patient blood and/or body fluid or air-borne contaminants.
• Normal Environment- Normal light, air, and space in work environment. 

Additional Comments:

• Have an understanding and agree to work to the LifeBridge Health SPIRIT Values which include Service, Performance, Innovation, Respect, Integrity, and Teamwork.
• Scribing as needed for physician.
• Specialty practices will have additional clinical requirements including protocols and training competencies.
• The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.