Medical Office Assistant, Dermatology

The GW Medical Faculty Associates (MFA) was incorporated in July 2000 as a not-for-profit, physician-led practice group. The organization functioned as an independent organization in support of The George Washington University School of Medicine and Sciences as a multi-specialty physician practice group. The GW MFA has grown to become the largest independent academic physician practice in the Washington, DC metro region with 375 physicians and 100 APP providers. In 2018, the MFA bylaws were revised to allow The George Washington University to serve as the sole corporate member while the MFA retained independent 501c3 status. The purpose of the change was to ensure alignment between the MFA and The George Washington University.

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.

Position Summary

Provides administrative support and clinical assistance for Physicians, other staff, and patients for the Department of Neurology.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Other duties may be assigned.

Administrative

• Schedule patient appointments, tests, and procedures using a computerized scheduling system; prepare appointment notices; provide patient instructions verbally or in writing for patients to prepare for the appointment.
• Obtain, document, and verify patient demographic, financial, and insurance information using a computerized scheduling system.
• Perform pre-registration activities to gather demographic information; determine medical insurance coverage; identify patients with delinquent accounts; confirm appointments; and register patients into a computerized system.
• Perform patient appointment maintenance activities, as necessary, to ensure patient appointment history is accurate.
• Collect payment due at the time of appointment as well as payments for unpaid balances; prepare receipts for all monies collected; provide copies for the reception area, billing office, and the patient.
• Receive callers and take messages as necessary.
• Receive, sort, open, and distribute mail.
• Arrange, coordinate, and schedule procedures and surgeries, including pre-operative testing, pre-surgical and post-operative appointments, and obtain insurance pre-certifications and authorizations.
• Mail out all clinical correspondence for physician(s).
• Other miscellaneous administrative duties
• Task or fax procedural reports, labs & reports to referring physicians
• Check task list and process messages if necessary (Follow My Health etc.)

Clinical

• Escort
  • Responsible for clinic patient flow, informing physicians of patients’ arrival and room assignment
• Room patients
  • Accompany and/or assist patients to the exam room in a professional manner.
  • Obtain patient vital signs, including 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 in electronic medical records in a timely fashion.
• Assist physicians during examinations and procedures
  • Set up the exam room and prepare the patient.
  • May require taking patient medical history if applicable per department.
  • May perform a variety of testing, diagnostic, and screening procedures.
  • Assist in explaining test procedures to patients.
• Medications
  • Able to calculate dosages (may be required to demonstrate via passing yearly written medication
    exam).
  • Administer medications (oral, intramuscular, subcutaneous, intradermal, inhalation, rectal, topical)
    using proper technique (only after yearly competency to clinic RN, if applicable, has been demonstrated).
• Communicate laboratory and test results to physicians and/or nurses.
• Assist with other support activities, including packaging and sterilizing equipment and supplies, if necessary.
  • Maintains patient areas clean and safe
  • Maintain and improve knowledge and expertise through continuous training.

• Passes yearly Competency-Based Objectives (CBO), if required by the department.
  • Must pass all tests in a maximum of two attempts, if required by the department.
  • Knowledge and performance of sterile techniques required.
• Performs other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications
Education

• High school diploma or higher, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Licensure

• Current and valid certification in basic CPR/AED
• Current and valid certification as a Medical Assistant.

Experience

• A minimum of 2 years of administrative experience in a fast-paced healthcare setting.
• Prior professional experience working with patient records, billing, and scheduling in a clinical setting is needed for this position.
• Typing skills of 30 WPM or faster.
• Prior professional experience utilizing a computerized patient scheduling system or computer terminals.

Physical Requirements

• Walk, bend, twist, and reach above the shoulder frequently in a clinical setting.
• Must be able to occasionally lift or carry and frequently push or pull up to 20 lbs. as part of the role
• Regularly exposed to healthcare settings that may require personal protective equipment
• Requires manual dexterity to operate a computer keyboard, calculator, copier machine, and other equipment.