Medical Assistant- Occupational Medicine

Job Description

Job Description

A medical assistant in an occupational medicine clinic plays a critical role in supporting the delivery of healthcare services to workers, focusing on preventing and treating work-related illnesses and injuries. They perform a blend of administrative and clinical duties to ensure the smooth operation of the clinic and provide excellent patient care.
Key responsibilities

• Patient intake and preparation: Greeting patients, taking and documenting vital signs (blood pressure, temperature, pulse, respiration rate, and blood oxygen levels), updating medical histories, and explaining procedures to patients.
• Assisting with examinations and procedures: Preparing examination rooms, assisting providers during examinations and minor surgical procedures (such as wound care and stitches), and providing emotional support to patients.
• Specimen collection and processing: Drawing blood and collecting urine, hair and saliva samples for laboratory testing and preparing them for analysis.
• Administering medications: Giving injections (like vaccinations) and administering medications, as directed by the physician.
• Wound care and maintenance: Cleaning and changing wound dressings, applying bandages, and assisting with basic wound care.
• Maintaining accurate medical records: Updating and maintaining electronic health records (EHRs) with patient information, including medical histories, vital signs, test results, diagnoses, treatment instructions, and prescriptions.
• Scheduling and administrative tasks: Scheduling patient appointments, managing patient check-in and check-out processes, handling phone calls, coordinating referrals, and assisting with insurance forms and billing.
• Infection control and equipment maintenance: Cleaning and sterilizing medical instruments, restocking examination rooms, maintaining medical supplies, and following infection control protocols.

• Clinical skills: Taking vital signs, phlebotomy, administering injections, and performing basic diagnostic tests.
• Administrative skills: Scheduling, record keeping, medical billing and coding knowledge, and managing supplies.
• Communication skills: Excellent written and verbal communication, active listening, and the ability to explain medical information clearly to patients.
• Interpersonal skills: Compassion, empathy, respect, and the ability to build rapport with patients and work effectively within a healthcare team, according to Saint Paul's School of Nursing.
• Organizational skills: Attention to detail, time management, and the ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving: Recognizing changes in patient conditions and escalating concerns to the physician, troubleshooting equipment issues, and prioritizing tasks efficiently.

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Completion of an accredited medical assistant program (or equivalent).
• Current certification as a Medical Assistant (CMA, RMA, CCMA, or NCMA).
• Current CPR/BLS certification.
• Proficiency in using electronic health records (EHR) and medical software.
• Knowledge of medical terminology and clinical procedures.