Medical Assistant

Position Title:                   Medical Assistant (Telehealth)

Classification:                   Part-Time (25 hrs/week), Non-Benefited, Non-Exempt

Clinical Supervisor:          Clinical Director

Position Supervised:        None

Supervision Received:     Minimum of 1 hour of individual/group supervision weekly.

Position summary:

Provide medical assistance to offsite prescriber providing services via telehealth to the medication management patients of Fremont Counseling Service by participating in medication management appointments with the prescriber and patients.  Collect vital signs (blood pressure, weight, height, pulse, oxygen saturation,  etc).  Maintain and record information in electronic health record.  Schedules appointments.  Works with patient’s primary medical care provider (as necessary), the FCS primary behavioral healthcare provider and FCS treatment team to meet patient treatment goals and needs.  May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or assist case management.  

Essential Job Functions:

The following will be provided and/or completed in accordance with the procedures and needs of Fremont Counseling Service and at the direction of management:

1. Medical assistant services –
   1. Observes, monitors, records, and reports symptoms and changes in client conditions; records client medication information and vital signs in the electronic health record.
   2. Monitors the progress and impact of medications on the individual and informs the prescriber and other treatment team members of changes, progress, or problems.
   3. Consults and coordinates with treatment team to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate clients’ medication plans.
   4. Initiates a patient education plan according to the needs of the client, as directed by the prescriber, including patient and family education and instruction.
   5. Prepares for and assists prescriber during all medication management appointments. 
   6. Medication management services are provided via telehealth.  This requires the use, management, and troubleshooting of telehealth equipment/software and ensuring that patients can clearly see and hear the prescriber during appointments.
   7. Manages and assists with Prescription Assistant Program (PAP) applications and PAP medications in accordance with best practices.
   8. Assists with accessing prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) information as directed by prescriber.
   9. Assists with refill requests and acts as communication link to prescriber.
   10. Monitors electronic submission of prescriptions by prescriber.
   11. Adheres to FCS operations, policies, and procedures, which include medication management operations, policies, and procedures.
       
   12. Adheres to strict ethical and confidentiality standards, including the FCS Code of Conduct/Ethics, HIPAA, and 42CFR Part 2.
2. Documentation - Performs timely and thorough professional documentation that accurately reflects observations made and services provided. Completes clinical/progress notes in a timely manner, tying all aspects of the chart together in accordance with Medicaid and Fremont Counseling Service standards/policies. Completes documentation with minimal errors and meets all established Fremont Counseling Service deadlines for charting / paperwork. 
3. Productivity - Provides billable/creditable services at a level deemed appropriate by management.
4. Community/Customer Relations - Consults, collaborates, and works with other agencies and providers to ensure comprehensive services; treats all external and internal customers with dignity and respect.
5. Team Membership - Provides and seeks consultation/supervision when appropriate. Advises supervisor of potential high-risk situations immediately. Is punctual in attending assigned meetings.  Offers solutions to problems proactively.
6. Professional Conduct and Appearance - Adheres to ethics and conduct codes; models appropriate behaviors; treats others with dignity and respect; appearance is reflective of professional position.
7. Other Duties as Assigned - Demonstrate willingness to accept and carry out other duties as assigned by management or the Executive Director.

Tasks:

• Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records. Enter documentation into Electronic Health Record.
• Record patients' medical information and vital signs.
• Monitor, record and report symptoms and changes in patients' conditions.
• Consult and coordinate with treatment team members to assess, plan, implement and evaluate patient care plans.
• Prepare patients for, and assist with, appointments via telehealth: set up equipment, connect to meeting, make sure patient can see and hear prescriber, adjust equipment set up as necessary, sanitize equipment and appointment space after each appointment.
• Provide patients with information about medications and side effects.
• Assist patients in obtaining medications through patient assistant programs (PAP) when appropriate.
• Act as interface between FCS medical staff and the patient’s primary care provider.
• If licensed/certified to do so, provide injections as ordered by medical staff.
• Oversee medications inventory and disposal of expired medications.
• Maintain confidentiality of records relating to clients' treatment.
• Prepare and maintain all required documentation and reports for each appointment (medication information, PDMP reports, etc).
• Monitor patients' use of, and response to, medications.
• Participate in case reviews and staff meetings.

Skills:

• Able to work independently and without supervision.   
• Able to work within your scope of practice and understand the limits of your position.
• Able to effectively and efficiently use compute/laptop, software, hardware, internet, telephone to complete duties of position.
• Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively on the phone. over the computer, and in person.
• Time Management - Managing one's own time.
• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Judgment and Decision Making - Willing to make decisions; exhibits sound and accurate judgment; can support and explain reasoning for decisions; includes appropriate people in decision-making process.
• Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; reacts well under pressure; treats others with dignity, respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; accepts responsibility for own actions; follows through on commitments.
• Health and Safety - Observes safety and security operations; determines appropriate actions beyond guidelines; reports potentially unsafe conditions; uses materials and equipment properly and when indicated.
• Attendance/Punctuality - Is consistently at work on time; ensure work responsibilities are covered when absent; arrives at meetings and appointments on time.
• Dependability - Follows instructions; responds to management direction; takes responsibility for own actions; keeps commitments; commits to amount of work necessary to reach goals; completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.
• Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; looks for ways to improve and promote quality; applies feedback to improve performance; monitors own work to ensure quality.
• Quantity - Meets productivity standards; completes work in a timely manner; strives to increase productivity; works quickly and efficiently.

Qualifications:

Associate degree in accredited nursing program.  Registration in Wyoming as a Licensed Practical Nurse (In Good Standing) and ability to maintain registration.

Physical Requirements:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform requirements of the position.

Regularly required to sit, talk, hear, and see. Specific vision abilities required include close vision and ability to adjust focus.  Regularly required to use hands/fingers on keyboard for data entry.  Occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; bend; and lift and/or move up to ten (10) pounds.   The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

Travel to an alternate office/location to perform duties of the position may be required, as assigned or as necessary.

Right to Review and Change:

Fremont Counseling Service reserves the right to review and change job descriptions as the need arises.

Employee Acknowledgement: 

Through the course of executing the duties of their position, all Fremont Counseling Service employees will:

1. Create and maintain a healthcare and business environment that is committed to Quality, Service, Progress and Recovery as directed by the mission statement of FCS:
   1. We provide the highest QUALITY mental health and substance abuse SERVICEs to enhance people’s lives (PROGRESS) and enrich our communities (RECOVERY).
2. Create and maintain a healthcare and business environment that is committed to honesty, integrity and ethical conduct;
3. Follow all applicable laws and regulations – including FCS policies, procedures and operations;
4. Adhere to ethical standards of his/her profession, the FCS Code of Ethics/Conduct and all confidentiality standards;
5. Meet or exceed established standards as set forth by FCS and/or any accrediting/certifying body, funding source, or other agency/entity providing program/services oversight;
6. Abide by, support, and uphold the mission, vision, and strategic planning of FCS.