Medical Assistant II - Laboratory

Job Opportunity At Mercy Medical Center

This position supports Mercy's philosophy of patient centered care by providing timely and accurate specimen collection and other laboratory support functions. The Certified Medical Assistant exhibits compassion towards our patients, provides outstanding customer service, and demonstrates professional behavior. This includes all interactions with patients and their families; in person during the lab visit, telephonically and electronically.

Job Duties

Ensure that accurate and clinically relevant information is communicated with patients, their families, and co-workers at handoffs and other times as needed. Take all measures necessary to ensure that the appropriate and involved parties have communicated necessary information to allow for the best possible patient outcome

Prioritizes workload to ensure timely collection of patient samples

Properly identifies patients and samples during the pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical phases of testing

Perform specimen collection, including phlebotomy, respiratory swabs, urines, stools, and skin tests, with skill and compassion

Follows laboratory procedures for specimen collection, order entry and all other duties

Accesses lab information system (EPIC) to perform order entry, specimen collection and sample labeling

Open and/or close outpatient lab area as scheduled

Maintains a consistent patient flow and advises patients of delays

Monitors and maintains patient waiting area

Provides patient collection instructions

Answers incoming phone calls and places outgoing phone calls in a timely manner using proper phone etiquette

Acts as a resource for laboratory medicine information to providers and others

Reviews information in the laboratory information system (EPIC) for deficiencies and resolves discrepancies

Scan documents into the laboratory information system (EPIC) and maintain records appropriately

Communicates effectively and professionally with physicians, nurses, other medical personnel, patients, and families

Assists with education and training new staff and students as needed

Maintains laboratory and/or outpatient area with general cleaning, stocking, and upkeep

Maintains and improves skills by participating in at least one continuing education activity annually

Actively seeks and identifies opportunities for process improvement

Follows Mercy's safety guidelines, carries out job-specific safety duties and responsibilities, and promptly reports any unsafe conditions, situations, incidents and injuries.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of specimen collection procedures, including venipuncture, capillary collection, TB placement, and respiratory swabs

Knowledge of different patient populations and their needs, including neonatal, pediatric, geriatric, and trauma

General knowledge and understanding of the diagnosis process, lab values, and safe handling of sharps and blood products.

Ability to successfully perform venipunctures.

Ability to work quickly and efficiently under pressure without sacrificing quality

Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and work with interruptions

Strong computer knowledge and skills to navigate the laboratory information system (EPIC)

Ability to be detail-oriented

Ability to complete appropriate documentation and paperwork clearly and completely

Exhibits outstanding customer service to patients, families and colleagues.

Professional Experience

Medical office or laboratory experience is strongly preferred.

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent required.

Education sufficient to obtain required licensure.

Licensure, Certification, Registration

Medical Assistant Certification required.

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

Mercy is an independent, community-based organization supporting the Cedar Rapids area for over 120 years.

Mercy is an equal-opportunity employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion and therefore evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, civil union status, parental status, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.