Medical Office Assistant, Surgery

Position Summary

Provides administrative support and clinical assistance for Physicians, Nurse Practitioners and patients for the Department of Surgery.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Other duties may be assigned.

• Schedules patient appointments, tests and procedures using a computerized scheduling system; prepares appointment notices; provides patient instructions verbally or in writing in order for patient to prepare for appointment.
• Obtains, document and verifies patient demographic, financial and insurance information using a computerized scheduling system.
• Performs pre-registration activities to gather demographic information; determines medical insurance coverage; identifies patients with delinquent accounts; confirms appointments; and registers patients into a computerized system.
• Performs patient appointment maintenance activities, as necessary, to assure patient appointment history is accurate.
• Collects payment due at time of appointment as well as payments for unpaid balances; prepares receipts for all monies collected; provides copies for reception area, billing office and the patient.
• Receives callers and takes messages as necessary.
• Receives, sorts, opens and distributes mail.
• Arranges, coordinates and schedules procedures and surgeries, including pre-operative testing, pre surgical and post-operative appointments, obtains insurance pre-certifications and authorizations
• Mail out all clinical correspondence for physician(s)
• Other miscellaneous administrative duties
• Escort Responsible for clinic patient flow, informing physicians of patients' arrival and room assignment
• Rooming patients Accompanies and/or assists patients to the exam room in a professional manner Obtains patient vital signs, to include height, weight, blood pressure, temperature, pulse and respiration. Pulse oximetry if needed.
• Vital Signs Able to perform using manual equipment and Welch Allen spot vital sign machine and import results to electronic medical record in a timely fashion
• Assist physicians during examinations and procedures This includes setting up the exam room and preparing the patient
• May be required to take patient medical history if applicable per department
• May perform a variety of testing, diagnostic, and screening procedures
• Assists in explaining test procedures to patients • Current in basic CPR/AED
• Communicates laboratory and test results to physicians and/or nurses
• May assist with other support activities, to include packaging and sterilizing equipment and supplies
• Maintains patient areas clean and safe
• Maintains and improves knowledge and expertise through continuous training
• Knowledge and performance of sterile techniques required.
• Performs other duties as assigned

Other Related Duties

Touchworks/IDX/Touch Chart

1. Manage Call In/Rejected Rx task list

2. Reschedule bumped appointments

3. Scan information into charts and print information from electronic records when needed

4. Prioritize and complete all tasks with documentation if necessary reassign appropriately

5. Task or fax procedural reports, labs & reports to referring physicians

6. Check task list and process messages if necessary (Follow My Health etc.)

Minimum Qualifications

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education

High school graduation or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience is necessary. Certification as a Medical Assistant, plus six months of general patient care experience is necessary.

Experience

• Three years of administrative experience in a fast-paced healthcare setting.
• Experience working with patient records, billing and scheduling in a clinical setting is needed for this position.
• Typing skill of 30 WPM is necessary.
• Two years of customer service experience in a patient care environment, to include six months experience in patient scheduling, is preferred.
• Experience utilizing a computerized patient scheduling system or computer terminals is necessary.
• Familiarity with medical insurance and medical terminology is preferred along with referral and prescription intake experience.
• Knowledge of IDX patient scheduling/ registration systems is preferred. Bi-lingual preferred.
• Competencies Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Must be able to communicate providing verbal feedback in a professional manner.
• Must be able to follow and understand instructions, and react favorably in all work situations.
• Must have strong interpersonal skills and be mentally adaptable and flexible in dealing with a variety of people at various levels within and outside the MFA.
• Ability to do math calculations, input data into the computer, and analyze data as requested.

Supervision

Received Close supervision is received on a daily basis from the Administrative Supervisor and the Clinical Nurse Manager.

Supervision Exercised

None

About GW MFA

MFA physicians provide comprehensive patient care, offering one practice for the whole person with 52 medical and surgical specialties. As members of the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences faculty, MFA providers are teachers and mentors for medical students, residents, fellows, and researchers preserving the rich tradition of academics, research, and healing. In addition to maintaining a closely integrated alliance with The George Washington University and The George Washington University Hospital (GWUH) which is separately owned and operated by Universal Health Services (UHS), the GW MFA has active referring relationships with 12 area hospitals.

The GW MFA's leading healthcare presence in the DC metro region is complemented by a network of community-based practices in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Given its geographic location in central NW Washington, DC, and proximity to more than 175 resident embassies, the MFA continues to evolve its international clinical outreach.