University of Washington Human Resources

Medical Assistant

UW CODE AND REPRESENTATIVE GROUP

BASIC FUNCTION

Perform duties required to assist health care professionals in the examination and treatment of ambulatory patients such as preparation of patient and environment for treatment, conducting basic laboratory and electrocardiogram tests, care of the patient post-treatments, patient education, and clerical reception functions.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Under general supervision, assist health care professionals in the delivery of direct patient care in an ambulatory patient care setting.

TYPICAL WORK

Schedule routine and special procedures such as sigmoidoscopy, joint aspiration, surgical biopsy, amniocentesis, and lumbar puncture; prepare patients for and assist health care professionals with the procedures;

Monitor patient’s condition following procedures;

Recognize emergent/urgent problems and provide basic telephone screening;

Observe and document in the medical record the patient’s physical and emotional condition and vital signs; recognize and report symptomology of common medical illnesses to physician or nurse;

Perform procedures including ear irrigation, urethral catheterization, sterile dressing changes;

Perform basic laboratory examinations, venipuncture, and 12-lead electrocardiogram including rhythm strips, pregnancy testing, and throat cultures;

Recognize and report abnormal laboratory values and radiology reports to physician or nurse;

Present portions of the pre- and post-procedure patient education sessions;

Prepare and assist during patient examinations;

If clinical competency is demonstrated and documented, may perform any duty allowed under Washington State RCW 18.360.050, such as, but not limited to, give oral and injectable medications as needed.

Monitor patient flow in clinic to assure efficient clinic operations;

Schedule new and return appointment; use computer system to check patients in and out of clinics;

Prepare medical record for clinic visit and document information to complete patient check-in process (or note patient cancellation/failure);

Complete billing documents verifying the correctness of charges and that diagnoses have been obtained; respond to patient billing questions referring as necessary to appropriate source;

Verify presence of medical records and x-rays prior to scheduled appointments; request existing records and x-rays as necessary;

Transport patients and lab specimens;

Order medical and clerical supplies; stock examination rooms;

Perform related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Completion of a Medical Assistant course accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) or other recognized regional or national accreditation board;

OR

equivalent education/experience.

Legal Requirement

Must be Washington State Medical Assistant-Certified or achieve this designation during the probationary period. Failure to achieve and/or maintain this designation will result in termination of employment.

CLASSIFICATION HISTORY

05/17/1974: New Class
08/03/1990: Revised Title/Class
06/01/2005: CSR Class Conversion
01/01/2015: Revised
01/01/2020: SEIU 1199NW UWMC-NW job profiles added effective 01/01/2020