Medical Assistant Apprenticeship

PROGRAM SUMMARY:

Catholic Medical Center in partnership with the Community College System of New Hampshire has developed a medical assistant apprenticeship program. The Medical Assistant Trainee will receive 40 hours/week of base pay and eligible benefits from the start of the program. Students of this program are eligible for additional grant funding toward tuition, supplies and exam fees. Students will make a two-year employment commitment to Catholic Medical Center.

Program consists of:

• A ten-week Medical Assistant Certificate program of 320 hours of classroom instruction at Manchester Community College, hands-on lab experiences and a 4-week, 160-hour practicum within CMC's Primary Care or specialty medical office practices

• Preparation and eligibility to sit for the National Health career Association (NHA) Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) national examination

• Placement into a full time open Medical Assistant position in either a CMC Primary Care or specialty care medical offices. (*availability of open positions at the time of completion of program will vary)

• Completion of 3,600 hours of on the job training experience in CMC primary care and specialty practices with a designated mentor

• A progressive pay wage as milestones are met throughout the program

• At completion of the 3,600 hours of on the job training, the employee will receive a National Occupational Credential through the Department of Labor

Requirements:

• Ability to attend class Monday - Friday 8 hours/day at Manchester Community College for 10 weeks and 4 weeks at designated CMC medical offices to complete practicum hours (160).

• Ability to complete homework and meet class deadlines as assigned during the classroom portion of the program

• Ability to pay for supplies/textbooks, if not eligible for federal funding.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Assists provider in the administration of patient care in assigned clinical areas by assisting with patient examinations, procedures, diagnostic studies, treatment, and dressing changes and performs general administrative duties all in accordance with the DNV, CLIA, NCQA and government standards, as well as company policies and procedures. * Employees are expected to become certified within 6 months under this program.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the direct supervision of the Practice Manager and the clinical guidance of the providers, and within established policies and procedures, the incumbent performs the following essential functions:

1. Reviews charts prior to patients' scheduled appointment to assure that all requested lab work and diagnostic procedures have been completed and that reports have been returned and are accessible to the provider.

2. Reviews charts for current medications, immunizations, treatments, height, weight and problem list.

3. Obtains and records patient vital signs, height, weight and reason for visit. Reviews risk assessment questions as appropriate. Updates preventative care flow sheet, allergies and medications. Verifies patient pharmacy, preferred lab and advance directives.

4. Directs patients to examination rooms; assists in preparing patients for examination; assists patients in undressing, dressing and getting on and off of the examination table. Notifies provider of patient's arrival and readiness for their examination.

5. Assists provider with patient examinations and procedures, including (but not limited to) surgical procedures, GYN exams, diagnostic studies and treatments. Operates and monitors functioning of equipment; hands instruments to the provider; assists with suctioning and holds patients; comforts patients.

6. Monitors patient during and following procedures; looks for reactions and other visible complications; reacts to emergency situations; notifies the appropriate person in the event of a medical emergency.

7. Applies and removes dressings under the direction of the provider.

8. Conducts hearing, vision, breathing and EKG testing; records results in chart using calculations to determine medication dosage.

9. Administers medications orally, rectally, topically and by injection under the direction of the provider and within definition of scope of practice. Administers vaccines according to the immunization schedule and under the direction of the provider.

10. Performs all Point of Care Testing in accordance with the CMC laboratory guidelines. Handles all specimens using Universal Precautions.

11. Completes laboratory forms. Processes laboratory samples and ships to reference labs.

12. Interacts with patients regarding clinical complaints for effective and immediate response and resolution. Refers to Practice Manager as appropriate.

13. Participates in quality assurance activities and all training seminars (OSHA and others).

14. Interacts and communicates professionally with co-workers.

15. Takes messages and assists provider with return phone calls to patients and pharmacies.

16. Processes prescriptions with provider approval.

17. Schedules and carries out appointments for patients requiring blood pressure checks, throat cultures, individualized teaching, etc. as prescribed by the provider.

18. Secures patient signature on consent forms for immunizations and invasive procedures.

19. Acts as liaison between provider and other departments, agencies and pharmaceutical representatives.

20. Maintains patient confidentiality at all times, in accordance with HIPAA.

21. Sets up instrument trays for procedures, including sterile procedures.

22. Cleans, wraps and sterilizes instruments after procedures as appropriate to the specific procedure. Takes wrapped instruments to sterile processing, as appropriate within the practice.

23. Assists with admission of patients to the hospital, as needed.

24. Orders all medical supplies, places service calls for and performs maintenance on all medical equipment.

25. Coordinates information with external laboratory.

26. Maintains quality control for all medications and supplies.

27. Keeps nursing area and exam rooms stocked, clean and orderly.

28. Maintains stock of health information pamphlets; provides pamphlets to patients. Directs patients to proper sources of information.

29. Adheres to all policies and procedures.

30. Performs all similar or related duties as assigned or requested.

Education:

• High school diploma or equivalent

Licensure/Certification:

• BLS must be obtained prior to beginning your practicum hours at the designated practice.

• CMA (Certified Medical Assistant) - should be obtained during your practicum hours, however, employee can obtain while they are completing their 3600 hours to complete the apprenticeship program.

• Must successfully complete DOT Hazardous Materials training within 90 days of start date. Recertification is to be completed every 3 years