"Medical Assistant - Hepatology"

Medical Assistant - Hepatology

Under the supervision of the Practice Manager and guided by the policies and procedures of Ambulatory Services, the Hospital Assistant III assists in the delivery of care to patients seen in the practice. The incumbent performs assigned patient care procedures in support of care services and adheres to Medical Center Telephone and House Standards.

This role supports both front and back office responsibilities, including scheduling, pre-registering, verifying insurance, obtaining referrals and authorizations, and coordinating required medical and financial information. The Medical Assistant works as a team member with other staff, projects a professional and courteous demeanor, supports efficient patient flow, and provides assistance to multiple physicians. The role communicates with referring physicians' offices, serves as a liaison to outside providers, and manages insurance authorizations, pharmacy refills, complex treatment authorizations, and hospital admission arrangements.

Key Responsibilities:

Clinical Support

• Maintain exam rooms in accordance with Medical Center standards.
• Perform routine clinical functions and document in the patient chart, including vital signs, height, weight, pain screening, and chief complaints.
• Document interpreter use and coordinate interpreter services (in person, phone, or video).
• Assist nurses, providers, and patients in preparation for exams and procedures.
• Provide patient education in collaboration with physicians.
• Participate in orientation and training of new staff.
• Serve as a chaperone during examinations as needed.
• Float within the department as requested.
• Monitor patient flow throughout the clinic.
• Obtain specimens and perform simple point-of-care testing, including QA/QC.
• Update mandatory logs (e.g., temperature log, disaster cabinet log, crash cart log).
• Facilitate referrals as ordered by physicians.
• Obtain insurance authorizations for medications, visits, and procedures.
• Assist physicians with written patient communications.
• Ensure medication cabinets remain locked.
• Utilize the Electronic Health Record (APEX) within scope of practice, including:
  • Documenting vital signs and patient history information
  • Entering medications and allergies
  • Ordering and documenting point-of-care testing
  • Entering and pending scripted provider orders
  • Opening medication refill and telephone encounters
  • Scheduling laboratory, radiology, and other tests with provider orders
  • Managing staff messages
• Comply with Ambulatory Services and Medical Center policies related to infection control, safety, administrative and clinical practice, and regulatory requirements.

Communication

• Maintain professional telephone communication consistent with Medical Center standards.
• Uphold House Standards to support a professional and helpful work environment.
• Notify providers of delays and service issues; communicate delays to patients and staff as appropriate.
• Share pertinent information with health team members.
• Identify and communicate issues to nursing staff or supervisors.
• Offer suggestions for operational improvement.
• Assist patients with concerns using conflict management skills.

Operations and Maintenance

• Maintain clean and well-stocked exam rooms, hub rooms, and lab areas.
• Order and maintain supplies and lab equipment.
• Review lab logs and print results for providers as requested.
• Obtain authorizations for medications, procedures, and film/slide reviews.
• Schedule complex procedures and coordinate patient services.
• Coordinate meal and rest periods to ensure clinic coverage.
• Adhere to infection control and equipment cleaning procedures.
• Participate in quality improvement and customer service initiatives.

Registration and Clerical Services

• Collect and update patient demographic, insurance, and billing information; verify insurance eligibility.
• Open and update patient accounts.
• Collect co-payments and other applicable payments.
• Prioritize timely patient registration and support clinic flow.
• Schedule new and established patient appointments in APEX according to provider productivity standards.
• Maintain confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA and UCSF policies.
• Triage telephone calls, route messages, and manage same-day appointment and refill requests.
• Cover in-baskets and phone messages when team members are absent.
• Assist with filing and scanning documentation.

Service Excellence and Professional Standards

• Demonstrate service excellence consistent with UCSF Medical Center standards, including Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Diversity, and Excellence.
• Use effective communication skills with patients, families, and staff.
• Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and teamwork.
• Adhere to privacy, confidentiality, safety, and infection control policies.
• Support departmental quality metrics and organizational targets.
• Maintain a clean and orderly work environment and report unsafe conditions.

The final salary and offer components are subject to additional approvals based on UC policy.

To see the salary range for this position (we recommend that you make a note of the job code and use that to look up): TCS Non-Academic Titles Search

Please note: An offer will take into consideration the experience of the final candidate AND the current salary level of individuals working at UCSF in a similar role.

For roles covered by a bargaining unit agreement, there will be specific rules about where a new hire would be placed on the range.

To learn more about the benefits of working at UCSF, including total compensation, please visit: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html