Outpatient Medical Assistant

Job Summary

The role of the Outpatient Medical Assistant is to support the outpatient providers to ensure exemplary care is delivered to the patients being admitted for treatment of their substance use and/or eating disorders. The medical assistant will evaluate incoming patients to determine their immediate needs, provides communication to the admissions nurse, and provides ongoing support to patients continuing treatment through the outpatient clinic.

Role and Responsibilities

• Ensures clients remain medically stable and continuously assesses appropriate level of care using level of care guidelines.
• Communicates client concerns to the provider, including acute withdrawal symptoms, medication effectiveness, side effects, and/or abnormal vital signs.
• Provides follow-up information to primary care providers (PCP’s) for patients, if needed.
• Takes patient vitals as part of their outpatient office visit or admission for inpatient treatment.
• Maintains the prior authorization process for medication administration (initiates, follows up, renews, etc.)
• Checks voicemail and returns phone calls on a timely basis.
• Documents and transmits prescriptions for patients electronically or by calling them into the appropriate pharmacy for them promptly.
• Supports the supportive living patients by responding timely to Teams threads, administering medications as needed, and inventorying patient medications regularly.
• Works closely with interdisciplinary treatment team to ensure client safety and comfort. This includes clinicians, safety officers, recovery technicians, resident support specialists, and administration.
• Provides effective communication by directing clients in a clear, concise, and informative manner.
• De-escalates clients and therapeutically responds to clinical signs/symptoms of withdrawal including increased anxiety, irritability, agitation, and aggression while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Utilizes an electronic medical record (EMR) system for all documentation.
• Obtains appropriate orders from the provider and submits e-prescriptions as needed for all clients.
• Protects patients’ rights by maintaining confidentiality of medical, personal, and financial information.
• Ensures all orders from providers are carried out and any information about clients and their wellbeing is promptly and clearly communicated to providers as well as during treatment team meetings.
• Assists in other units/departments when there are changes in census, staffing or a need for a higher level of care than what current staffing can provide, as needed.
• Performs blood draws, ordered by the provider.
• Collects samples for urinalysis and urine drug screens.
• Attends and stays up to date on trainings and policies, like Handle With Care, Basic Life Support (BLS), and HIPAA.
• Adheres to the established Code of Ethics, Standards of Practice, and employee handbook.
• Educates clients on the neuroscience and process of addiction and withdrawal, including leading groups.
• Assists with the care of patients for the Spravato clinic.
• Assists with prior authorization requests for the Spravato patients.
• Orders medications for the Spravato clinic, as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Certified or Registered Medical Assistant, required.
• Prior experience with substance uses disorder or eating disorders, preferred.
• Current CPR/BLS Certification, required.

Knowledge / Skills / abilities

• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality on all client records and business-related records, as required under HIPAA guidelines.
• Knowledge of substance use disorders, eating disorders, mental health illnesses and associated treatments.
• Ability to demonstrate attention to detail and efficient time management.
• Ability to adhere to and knowledge of all HIPAA guidelines.
• Ability to demonstrate communication skills, self-motivation, organization skills, critical thinking, and good decision-making abilities.
• Knowledge of electronic medical records (EMR).
• Ability to identify own strengths and areas of improvement and communicate needs to supervisor.
• Demonstrates professional behavior reflective of Sanford’s Mission Statement, Philosophy, and Values.
• Must be able to relate well to all kinds of people both inside and outside the organization; build appropriate rapport; build constructive and effective relationships; uses diplomacy and tact; can diffuse even high-tension situations comfortably.
• Must possess positive attitude to enhance a cooperative and energetic work environment.
• Ability to be accountable and ability to take/give constructive feedback.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of standing and walking is required (4-8 hours).
• Must be able to sit at a desk for various durations while working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift prone patients with assistance or use of equipment.
• Must be able to use laboratory equipment, i.e., centrifuge, phlebotomy tools, basic medical equipment, etc.
• Must be able to adapt to the physical demands of lifting clients, bending, stooping, and stretching with or without assistance.
• Must be able to safely handle biohazardous materials, i.e., blood and urine, etc.
• Must be able to perform repetitive tasks such as typing for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to clearly express and exchange ideas by means of spoken word to impart oral information to employees or others accurately or quickly, engaging in sometimes lengthy conversations or presentations.
• Must be able to ascend and descend stairs daily.
• Must be able to seize, hold, grasp, turn or otherwise work with your hand or hands.
• Must be able to perceive sound by ear to interpret oral information from employees or others accurately or quickly.
• Must be able to lift and carry medical supplies, medications, etc. weighing up to 45 pounds, as required.
• May occasionally carry or lift items in excess of 35 pounds, with or without assistance.
• May occasionally push/pull medical equipment of varying weights, with or without assistance.
• Work will be performed in an office environment with fluctuating temperatures.

ADA Disclaimer

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position adequately.  If requested, reasonable accommodations will be provided to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship. All requests must be made to the Human Resource Department in writing.

Please note, this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.  Duties, responsibilities, and activities my change at any time with or without notice and employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions or assignments.  All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements which are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.  I understand that my signature below indicates my understanding of the requirements, essential functions, and the duties of this position.

Sanford Behavioral Health is an equal opportunity employer, drug-free workplace, and complies with ADA regulations as applicable.