Gap Year Medical Assistant

Job Description

Gap Year Medical Assistant at MASS LUNG & ALLERGY (MLA)

Are you a recent college graduate looking to gain invaluable hands-on experience in a dynamic medical environment before pursuing further education? MASS LUNG & ALLERGY (MLA) offers an exceptional opportunity for a Gap Year Medical Assistant to work in a physician office setting specializing in pulmonology. Our physicians and leadership hold faculty appointments at UMass Memorial and are committed to educating and mentoring future healthcare professionals.

In this role, you will be an integral part of our clinical team, performing a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with a strong emphasis on quality of care and outstanding customer service. We are looking for an individual who embodies flexibility and a “can-do” attitude, working collaboratively with all clinical services staff to support direct patient services. Patient comfort and trust are paramount, and you will serve as a key point of contact, fostering an environment that promotes these values. The successful candidate will consistently exemplify the core values and mission of MLA, exercising utmost discretion, diplomacy, and tact in all patient and staff interactions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Patient Appointment Preparation: Reviews and updates patient records prior to appointments, including checking for recent test results, lab results, compliance reports, and correspondence.
• Initial Medical Screening:
  • Greets patients and directs them to the appropriate exam room, confirming identity by name and date of birth.
  • Performs vital sign measurements: weight, height, temperature, blood pressure, respirations, and heart rate.
  • Verifies allergies and reconciles medication lists.
  • For new patients, ensures imaging was completed prior to the appointment and provides the physician with imaging discs if available.
  • Accurately documents the date of last flu and pneumonia vaccinations in the medical chart according to generally accepted medical standards.
  • Documents Epworth Scoring in the chart as needed.
• Patient Flow Management: Prepares patients for their visit and alerts the physician when they are ready. If the physician is unavailable, keeps the patient updated on their appointment status and assists with re-scheduling or follow-up as necessary. Instructs patients on general clinic policies, rights, and responsibilities as needed.
• Assistance During Examinations: Assists the physician or nurse upon request during patient examinations, adhering to generally accepted medical standards and practicing universal precautions and established safety protocols. Facilitates communication between the provider(s) and patient as needed.
• Clinical Duties Post-Evaluation: In addition to initial medical screening, performs duties as recommended by the provider, which include:
  • Teaching patients the proper use of inhalers, nebulizers, and other durable medical equipment.
  • Oximetry trending.
  • Alpha 1 testing.
  • Dispensing samples.
  • Administering immunizations.
  • Ordering labs and diagnostic imaging.
  • Administering nebulizer treatments.
  • Transporting patients.
  • Triaging sick calls and walk-in patients.
  • Performing office spirometry and FeNO (if available).
  • Administering PPD tests.
• Exam Room Maintenance: Cleans rooms between patient exams to ensure patient comfort and compliance with infection control standards. Ensures all necessary supplies are stocked.
• Clinical Administrative Support: Completes clinical administrative work as assigned by the clinical manager.
• General Clerical Duties: Performs general clerical duties in support of patient services as directed by the Clinical Supervisor, Office Manager, and provider(s). These may include answering phones, distributing fax logs, registering and scheduling new patients, and checking in patients as needed.
• Meetings: Attends staff and medical meetings as required.

Qualifications:

• Communication Skills: Excellent communication skills necessary for taking patient medical histories, understanding provider and supervisor instructions, and accurately documenting patient medical information.
• Interpersonal Skills: Ability to effectively communicate with diverse patient populations and staff, demonstrating a high degree of diplomacy and tact.
• Technical Skills: Beginner to intermediate computing and phone skills.
• Flexibility & Dedication: Willingness to work past the end of a shift to ensure patient care and safety; demonstrates flexibility in regard to job duties and assignments, with a willingness to travel to necessary office locations.
• Work Ethic: Ability to multi-task and work effectively in a high-stress and fast-moving environment.
• Cultural Competency: Culturally sensitive and demonstrated ability and effectiveness working with ethnically diverse populations.
• Professionalism: Working knowledge of “Universal Precautions” and consistently demonstrates professionalism.
• Confidentiality: Possesses a thorough understanding of the importance of confidentiality and non-disclosure according to HIPAA standards.
• Transportation: Valid Massachusetts Driver’s License, insurance, and ability to travel as required to perform duties.

Education And Experience:

• Education: College Graduates (graduating May 2026 or earlier) required.
• Local Knowledge: Familiarity with the community/service area.
• Prior Experience: Previous experience in a medical office setting is highly desirable.