Medical Assistant (TEMP)

Mission Statement

Michigan Medicine improves the health of patients, populations and communities through excellence in education, patient care, community service, research and technology development, and through leadership activities in Michigan, nationally and internationally.  Our mission is guided by our Strategic Principles and has three critical components; patient care, education and research that together enhance our contribution to society.

Perks and Benefits:

• Growth opportunities to higher seniority positions
• Management that provides quality training and direction

Responsibilities*

Under the direction of the registered nurse (RN), the Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES) Medical Assistant will perform basic patient care and specific duties which promote clinical care, safety, and comfort of the adult and pediatric patient in the PES.  Is accountable for all patient care rendered, adhering to nursing care standards and for promoting teamwork among peers.  Incorporates the patient relations principles into all interactions. 

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

• Directly responsible to the Clinical Supervisor, Manager, and Medical Director of PES.
• Functionally responsible to the RN on the assigned shift.
• Personnel supervised:  None.
• Interrelationships:  Works effectively with patients, families, and all members of the health care team.

CHARACTERISTIC RESPONSIBILITIES
As directed and supervised by the RN:

• Provide care on a functional basis to a patient or group of patients. 

Characteristic duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Provide comfort measures for adult and pediatric patients to include provision of blankets, hot/cold packs, pillows, etc.
• Transport, ambulate, move and lift patients.
• Observe and document patient condition and report changes to the responsible RN and/or other care provider.
• Measure and record intake and output, collect specimens and process appropriately.
• Complete clothing and valuables list for patients who are admitted.
• Clean and check equipment and work area.  Stock medical/surgical supplies, etc.

Performs and documents certain aspects of basic and skilled patient care under direction of the responsible RN.

• Measures, reports, and records vital signs, manually and per monitor (vital signs are to be taken as prescribed, and abnormal results reported immediately to the RN in charge of that patient).
• Heights, weights as required.
• Collects urine and stool specimens as ordered.
• Assists with application of restraints as directed by Security.  Provides constant monitoring of patients in restraint and seclusion. Provides care for restrained patient per policy and documents on appropriate patient care record.
• Uses equipment correctly, per unit policy.
• Applies clean and sterile dressings appropriately, and documents and informs RN.
• Informs responsible nurse immediately of all abnormal findings.
• Perform venipuncture for blood draw with a butterfly or Vacutainer/needle.
• Accurately measure blood glucose using glucometer.  Report results to RN and document findings.
• Performs male and female catheterization for adults only using strict aseptic techniques.  If resistance is met, discontinue procedure and notify RN or MD.
• Provide for the safety of self, patients, and others by adherence to the hospital???s safety guidelines, policies, and practices.

Is also responsible for:

• Receiving and carrying out instructions promptly, accurately, and precisely in regards to patient care and unit operations.  All patient care activities will be delegated and supervised by the RN.
• Communicating observations/concerns regarding a patient's condition to the responsible RN, including documentation with co-sign by the nurse.
• Requesting assistance/clarification in the event of unfamiliarity with assigned tasks.
• Participating in continuous quality improvement by involvement in teams as appropriate and by supporting changes recommended through the continuous quality improvement process.

May perform the following only after completion of competency based orientation/evaluation when delegated by primary nurse.

• One-touch glucose monitoring
• Orthostatic blood pressures
• Venipuncture
• Transport patients to inpatient unit.

Is restricted from:

• Accepting or relaying verbal physician orders.
• Initiating written orders without RN delegation (including standing orders)
• Preparing medication or administering it by any route.
• Eye irrigation with normal saline solution.
• Accepting primary care responsibility for any one patient or group of patients.
• Independently performing initial patient assessment.
• Discharge teaching.
• Obtaining blood specimen from an arterial line.
• Starting an IV line or hep-lock catheter.

Communication

• Communicates effectively with patient and families.
• Introduces self to patients and families.
• Demonstrates polite telephone etiquette.
• Communicates effectively with hospital staff.
• Provides appropriate information to primary nurse, nurse manager, and/or other staff.

Continuing Education

• Works with RN preceptor and education coordinator to mutually identify short-term goals for successful completion of orientation and evaluates goals annually.
• Demonstrates an understanding of own learning and developmental need by attending pertinent inservices and other activities.
• Attends BLS, safety, and infection control and all designated mandatory educational activities annually.

Required Qualifications*

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Graduation of a Medical Assistant program or an equvialnet combination of education and experience. 
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively under mental and emotional pressure of emergency situations.
• Six months of direct patient care experience in an acute care facility is necessary.
• Ability to calibrate clinical equipment, monitor electronic instrumentation, recognize abnormal physiology, and perform and record results of routine clinical testing procedures is necessary.

Desired Qualifications*

• Successful completion of medical assistant program or equivalent combination of education and experience is desired
• Course work in an Allied Health field, including basic science and math desirable
• Current Basic Life Support Provider verification
• Experience with MiChart
• Able to make a minimum of one year commitment to PES.

Work Schedule

Shift - Day/Evening/Nights 12 Hour shifts.  Possible weekend coverage 12 hour shifts.

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Background Screening

Under Michigan law, a criminal history check including fingerprinting is required as a condition of transfer or employment for this position.

Background Screening

Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings.  Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  This job may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.