Certified Medical Assistant

Certification in Medical Assisting and certification in CPR is required.
Must maintain current certification from the Certifying Board.

Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT), or registration from the American Medical Technologies (AMT),
or certification from the National Healthcareer Association.

The Medical Health Technician provides direct patient care, performs simple nursing procedures, and provides assistance to the professional staff in the evaluation and treatment of patients. Ensures that each clinic is well organized, fully prepared, and efficiently operated so that every patient and physician encounter occurs with a high level of safety and satisfaction. Assists faculty and staff to ensure that the necessary medical record, x-rays, reports, and pathology slides are available at the time of the encounter. Coordinates tumor study group meetings. Supports the research mission and participates in performance improvement activities in order to improve the quality, consistency, and efficiency of services provided. Position requires interaction and competency in providing care to patients in all age categories from neonates through geriatrics and all populations with an emphasis on patients with cancer.

1. Works collaboratively with faculty and staff to maintain a timely and organized flow of patients and families through the Cancer Institute of New Jersey clinical areas.
2. Assists faculty and staff to ensure necessary medical records, reports, x-rays, and pathology slides are available at the time of the patient encounter or as required for orders and referrals. Calls appropriate department or facility to expedite delivery of missing or anticipated records or x-rays. Retrieves information as directed and places in the patient medical records prior to the clinic visit. Advises physician or nurses promptly if problems arise.
3. Coordinates meetings for assigned study groups. Contacts appropriate collaborators (e.g. Pathology, Radiology) in a timely manner to ensure that all information is available for review at the time of the conference. Maintains a list of all patients reviewed at the meeting. Keeps a log of TSG meeting attendance records and notes taken by the medical/nursing team. Maintains accountability for all materials going into and coming out of the TSG meeting. Follows up on all medical information (slides, records, films) to ensure the timely return to the point of origin.
4. Tracks pathology slides. Ensures that any slides sent to the Cancer Institute of New Jersey for evaluation are accounted for and sent in a timely manner to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH). Uses appropriate databases as needed to provide efficient tracking.
5. Assists clinicians with completing laboratory requisitions as needed. Familiarizes self with managed care insurance guidelines and demonstrates knowledge of what laboratory specimens must be sent.
6. Reminds the providers to complete billing charge slips, as needed. Ensures charge slips are in the appropriate folder by the end of each clinic session.

Specific Clinical Functions:

1. Obtains vital signs, height, and weight on all patients entering the Cancer Institute of New Jersey to receive clinical services. This includes orthostatic vital signs when required, as well as other relevant patient information assigned by the Nurse Manager ( e.g. social history, medications), etc.
2. Documents level of pain and fatigue at the first point of entry to Cancer Institute of New Jersey clinical areas as required by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Notifies practitioners (Staff Nurse, Advanced Practice Nurse, or Physician) of abnormal vital signs and unacceptable levels of pain.
3. Documents all pertinent information including vital signs on the flow sheet of the Cancer Institute of New Jersey medical record and in the electronic medical record.
4. Assists patients in preparation for medical exams/and procedures. Keeps patients comfortable during waiting time.
5. Assists practitioners (Staff Nurses, Advanced Practice Nurses or Physicians) with minor surgical procedures such as bone marrow biopsies, paracentesis, thoracentesis, lumbar punctures, skin biopsies, breast biopsies, and colposcopy biopsies.
6. Under the direction of a nurse or physician, performs and documents pulse oximetry and blood glucose on patients as needed.
7. Under the direction of a nurse or physician performs urine dipstick and documents in the medical record.
8. Under the direction of a nurse or physician performs EKGs as needed and transmits via modem to Robert Wood Johnson
9. University Hospital for interpretation.
10. Assists with patient care (feeding, ambulation, transfer,) as directed.
11. Monitors and documents intake and output as directed by the nursing staff.
12. Retrieves blood and blood products as needed from Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Blood Bank.
13. Performs phlebotomy, demonstrating appropriate techniques, and obtaining required specimens as directed by physician or nurse.

JOB REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed must be representative of the knowledge, skills, minimum education, training, licensure, experience, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Completion of an accredited program in medical assisting or its equivalent (certified to perform the scope of practice in the position) plus one (1) year of related healthcare experience required. Certification in Medical Assisting (or equivalent) and certification in CPR is required. Must maintain current certification from the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT), or registration from the American Medical Technologies (AMT),
or certification by NHA. Applicants must be able to take temperatures, pulse, blood pressures, and other simple procedures where indicated. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of the position. Experience in computer applications preferred. Must be computer literate with proficiency and working knowledge of database and reporting tools such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint. Demonstrated commitment to work with people with cancer. Demonstrated interpersonal skills working in a service environment. Demonstrated understanding of the principles of guest relations and demonstrated the ability to maintain a professional demeanor and customer service orientation under busy and stressful situations. Demonstrated ability to respond to common inquiries from patients. Demonstrated effective oral and written communication skills.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Position requires standing, sitting, walking, use of hands to finger, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel or crouch, talk or hear, lifting up to 10 pounds over 2/3 of the time, lifting up to 25 pounds over 2/3 of the time, lifting up to 50 pounds up to 1/3 of the time, lifting up to 100 and more than 100 pounds up to 1/3 of the time, close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Fast-paced, high-pressure office/clinic/hospital environment with stringent deadlines and possible exposure to bloodborne pathogens, anti-neoplastic drugs, infections, and communicable diseases that require the use of personal protective equipment. Requires the ability to work and cooperate with faculty, students, managers, employees, and the public at all levels in order to exchange ideas and information. Requires the ability to work with all patient populations with a primary focus on cancer.