Clinical Procedures

• Performs diagnostic tests, therapies, and procedures within the scope of authorized duties competently and with maintenance of proficiency according to:
  • Specific department standards on core clinical tasks (see departments list of core skills).
  • Application of knowledge and skills appropriate to developmental age of patient.
  • Established policies such as and not limited to patient safety, aseptic and sterile techniques, and infection control.
• Examples of categories of clinical tasks are as follows:
  • Screening tests - e.g., vital signs, vision, hearing, developmental, LOPS, pain, etc.
  • Diagnostic tests - e.g., urine dips, spirometry/peak flow, bladder scan, finger sticks for glucose, O2 saturation rate, etc.
  • Medication administration via oral, topical, otic, rectal, vaginal, IM, SubQ, intradermal, ophthalmic, inhalation, and nasal routes.
  • Wound care - e.g., routine dressing changes, staple/suture removal, cleansing/flushing of wounds.
  • Application and/or removal of orthopedic appliances and other devices - e.g., splints, slings, orthotics, cast, crutch management, anti-embolic stockings measurement, procedural safety restraints, etc.
  • Minor surgical procedures assist - e.g., biopsies, excisions, insertion of devices, D & C, etc.
  • Medical procedures assist - e.g., PAP, colonoscopies, sigmoidoscopies, colposcopies, joint aspirations, etc.
  • Lab specimens collection and labeling - e.g., nose, throat, wound, application of U-bag, etc.
  • Irrigations - e.g., eye, ear.
  • Instrument/equipment set-up, cleaning, and processing (sterile and non-sterile) - e.g., scopes, cryogun, O2 tank, procedural trays, etc.
  • Ambulate/transfer of patient using lift equipment.
  • Other procedures outlined in the core skills checklist as attached.

Practice Management Activities

• These job tasks are primarily indirect patient care (i.e., non face-to-face) to be performed competently, accurately, and consistently according to established regional/departmental clinical protocols, policies, and procedures and standards. They are:
  • Maintains and adjusts clinician's patient schedule for efficient patient flow that facilitates appointed visits and overbooks.
  • Answers and responds to incoming messages/requests via telephone, mail, or kp.org from patient or other department(s) by collecting and communicating pertinent data requiring clinician's review and input.
  • Act as the clinician's agent to communicate back to patient or department his/her response/instructions in a timely manner.
  • Facilitates and completes follow-up duties on patient's plan of care as directed by clinician to include but not limited to:
    • Processing of prescriptions and forms.
    • Reminder of screening/diagnostic tests that are due.
    • Scheduling/staging of procedures, tests, referrals, and/or return appointments.
    • Obtaining and inputting patient data to monitor progress into the electronic medical record.
  • Sorts and prioritizes mail containing patient and/or clinical information requiring clinician's review and attention.
  • Provides population-based care outreach activities to include health maintenance screening as directed by clinician.

Teamwork, Leadership, and Professional Development Activities

• Performs appropriate daily activities to start workflow in work area per team agreements and procedures.
• Demonstrates flexibility and ability to reprioritize workflow to handle urgent/emergent demands of the team effectively.
• Assists with on-boarding of new hires/transfers and/or validating peers' clinical skills.
• Reports errors, near misses, or other hazards in a timely manner per established procedures.
• Seeks assistance with duties when unable to perform safely, lacks training, or outside scope of authorized duties.
• Completes annual competency assessments and trainings by meeting organizational standards and expectations.
• Demonstrates and maintains clinical knowledge and skills related to department's clinical area and contributes new ideas to assist team in achieving departmental/regional quality and service goals/initiatives.

Other duties as assigned consistent with job description.

Basic Qualifications

Experience

• Employees must be able to successfully obtain Kaiser Permanente's Medication Administration Competency Certification within ninety (90) days of employment as a Medical Assistant.

Education

• Graduate of accredited Medical Assistant program approved by the State.

License, Certification, Registration

• Medical Assistant Certificate (Washington)
• Basic Life Support within 1 month of hire

Additional Requirements

• Demonstrated interpersonal and customer service skills (Assessment required for external candidates).
• Demonstrated communication (written and oral) skills.
• Demonstrated literacy in using computers and keyboarding.
• Skills in problem-solving, setting priorities, and using good judgment for decisions.
• Ability to work independently and efficiently under pressure.

Preferred Qualifications

• One (1) - two (2) + years in a medical assistant position to assigned departments clinical area (e.g., Pediatrics, FP/IM, OB/Gyn, Surgery, Dermatology, Neurology, Cardiology, etc.) within an ambulatory care setting.
• Current National Medical Assistant Certification.
• Demonstrated clinical knowledge and procedural skills and/or documented trainings in assigned departments clinical area within the last one (1) - three (3) years.
• Familiarity in documenting in an electronic medical record system.

Notes

• LVK building float.