Medical Assistant (Patient Access Representative II) at Cambridge Health Alliance

Location: CHA Cambridge Hospital

Work Days: M-F, Some Weekends

Category: Medical Assistant

Department: Pediatric Office Practice Cambridge

Job Type: Full time

Work Shift: Various Shifts

Hours/Week: 40.00

Union: Yes

Union Name: CH Laborers 380

DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION:

Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) is a leader in Primary Care, supporting a highly diverse population across the Boston metro-north region. Today, CHA serves more than 120,000 primary care patients during more than 300,000 annual visits. Services are available at 13 primary care centers, 3 teen health centers, via telehealth, and through some very special programs, right in patient homes. As a member of CHA Primary Care, you will be part of a dynamic team that values creativity and innovation. You will help deliver care across the entire spectrum of primary care – with internal medicine, family medicine, pediatrics, geriatrics and women’s health services. You will be in a team-based setting, where primary care works hand-in-hand with behavioral health, pharmacy, complex care and multilingual interpreter services. CHA is also a teaching hospital, with several primary care centers hosting CHA’s Harvard Internal Medicine residency and Tufts Family Medicine residency.

Job Purpose: The Patient Access Representative II (PAR II) position consists of both administrative/clerical functions in addition to the clinical responsibilities of the medical assistant. PAR IIs are essential members of the ambulatory team. They provide the ambulatory site the flexibility of meeting both clinical and administrative needs, while contributing to the smooth operation of the clinic by facilitating patient flow.

Administrative Responsibilities: 1) Greeting patients courteously. 2) Answering the telephone professionally and taking accurate detailed electronic messages. 3) Scheduling patient appointments electronically (using Epic), according to scheduling guidelines. 4) Execute daily insurance verifications by means of the Passport system. 5) Complete patient appointment registrations efficiently with the result of successful claim submissions. 6) Maintain detailed accurate records of the department's daily co-payments collected and deposited. 7) Obtains consent for treatment and other necessary patient signatures. 8) Perform administrative duties necessary to ensure appropriate billing and reimbursement for services provided. 9) Assist with the processing of prescription refill requests. 10) Scan documents into appropriate medical records. 11) Receive and distribute incoming and outgoing mail and faxes. 12) Assist with processing of referrals and coordinating specialty appointments. 13) Troubleshoot office equipment failures. 14) Generate necessary maintenance request for repairs.

Clinical Responsibilities: 1. Actively and efficiently manage the flow of patients through the clinic: a. Pre-visit chart medical record preparation and information gathering to optimize the visit. b. Participate in team huddles and team meetings. c. Room patients: • Assist providers with medical histories • Appropriate documentation in the electronic health record • Check routine vital signs and point of care testing (based on patient's reason for visit, age and diagnosis • Perform screening questionnaires and pain score, as needed d. Actively communicates with patients to set expectations, e.g., wait times, what to expect during visit. e. Provides clear and timely observations to providers regarding patient issues. f. Manages room cleaning, stocking, set-up, and turnover. 2. Assists providers with clinical procedures. 3. Participate in process improvement initiatives. 4. Participate in staff meetings, MA meetings and continuing education sessions. 5. Assist co-workers in their duties within the limitations of training and scope of practice 6. Update computerized reminders and snapshot. 7. Review and update overdue health maintenance and open orders. 8. Book screening tests as part of the outreach process and occasionally books follow up appointments (e.g., well child visits, vaccine booster visits). 9. Participates in proactive population management of chronic diseases by generating MyCHArt messages, sending templated letters, and calling patients by telephone. 10. Tracks completion of certain patient tests. 11. Participate in shared medical appointments, including recording history and findings into the electronic health record. 12. Ensuring that instruments and ultrasound are present for start of clinic session. 13. Performing urine pregnancy tests. 14. Setting up sterile instrument trays for procedures. 15. Packaging specimens (paps, GC/CT, products of conception). 15. Cleaning instruments and bringing them up to central processing after session. 16. Other duties as required.

Qualifications/Requirements:
Education: High school diploma or equivalent. Graduation from an accredited medical assistant program.

Certifications: Maintains current AHA Basic Life Support Certification

Linguistic Capabilities: Ability to write and verbally communicate in English. Knowledge of a second language preferred.

Work Experience: Current experience as a Medical Assistant. Experience with administrative duties in a clinical setting preferred.

In keeping with federal, state and local laws, Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) policy forbids employees and associates to discriminate against anyone based on race, religion, color, gender, age, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by law. We are committed to establishing and maintaining a workplace free of discrimination. We are fully committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not tolerate unlawful discrimination in the recruitment, hiring, termination, promotion, salary treatment or any other condition of employment or career development. Furthermore, we will not tolerate the use of discriminatory slurs, or other remarks, jokes or conduct, that in the judgment of CHA, encourage or permit an offensive or hostile work environment.

Cambridge Health Alliance brings Care to the People - including your neighbors, friends and family. Our local hospitals and care centers serve our vibrant, diverse communities, and play an integral role in improving health. As passionate advocates for the underserved, we actively partner with our communities to take on challenging public health issues, and conduct important research to help reduce barriers to care. We believe that everyone deserves access to high quality, convenient health care. This is why our employees believe in where they work and why many build long, rewarding careers at CHA.

Healthcare is changing rapidly. CHA has a strategic plan that charts a proactive course for our future. It is built on a vision of equity and excellence for everyone, every time. It also recognizes that our workforce is our most valuable asset and prioritizes competitive salaries, benefits and professional development opportunities for employees. The strategic plan is changing the way we provide care and improving the health and experience of our patients; we are looking for smart, committed, compassionate people who want to be part of making our vision of better health and equity a reality.

At CHA, you can believe in where you work and go home every day knowing you made a difference. Join our team and help us bring Care to the People.