Medical Assistant Jail Correctional Medicine Administration 1

General Summary:
Medical Assistant (MA) role in a correctional facility focusing on supportive clinical duties under the supervision of licensed healthcare professionals (such as nurses (RN/LVN)/Advanced practice nurses/Physicians Assistants and Physicians).
Essential Duties:
Key Responsibilities:
Vital Signs & Clinical Support:
oMeasure and record patients vital signs including blood pressure pulse temperature and respiration.
oPrepare individuals for medical examinations and assist healthcare providers during evaluations.
oAssist with medical procedures
oAssist with the physical transfer to patients (such as by wheelchair stand by assistance with people walking with canes or walkers).
oAssist with showers and basic hygiene if needed by a patient.
oDraw Blood and prepare specimen for lab designated pick-up.
Patient Intake & Documentation:
oObtain basic medical histories and information about current health concerns or symptoms and document the histories in the medical record.
oDocument findings accurately in medical records in accordance with facility policies and HIPAA regulations.
oAssist with getting documentation from the patients primary care physician hospitals pharmacies and other health care providers and placing records on chart.
Medication Administration Support:
oAssist in the distribution or passing of prescribed medications as directed and supervised by licensed nursing staff adhering to correctional healthcare protocols.
oAbility to given an subcutaneous / intramuscular/ subcutaneous injection.
oAbility to administer narcan and epinephrine in an medical emergency situation.
oMonitor for and report any adverse reactions or patient concerns related to medications.
Coordination & Communication:
oAssist with scheduling follow-up visits offsite appointments and coordination with other departments.
oCommunicate effectively and professionally with inmates correctional staff and healthcare providers.
Compliance & Safety:
oFollow all facility procedures related to safety security infection control and patient confidentiality.
oMaintain awareness of surroundings and follow correctional protocols at all times.
Other Duties as assigned.

Supervision
Received:Nurse (Registered Nurse / Licensed Vocational Nurses); Advanced Practice Nurse / Physician Assistants
Given:None

Education
Required:High School or GED AND Nurse Assistant Certificate/ Medical Assistant/ EMT Basic/ Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) or equivalent
Preferred:EMT Basic or Higher (Such as paramedic) or Emergency Medical Responder (EMR)

Experience
Required:0-1 year
Preferred:>1 year

Certificates Licenses Registrations
Required:Valid Drivers License; and Certification in the area of study
Preferred:Valid Drivers License; and Certification in the area of study

Physical Demands
Typical:Frequent standing and walking: Must be able to stand and walk for extended periods (up to 810 hours per shift).
Lifting and moving patients or equipment: Occasionally required to lift move or support patients or medical equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
Repetitive motion: Frequent use of hands and fingers to operate medical instruments computers and other office equipment.
Bending stooping and reaching: Required to assist with exams clean rooms stock supplies and retrieve or store items.
Visual acuity: Must have sufficient vision to read charts labels and computer screens.
Hearing ability: Must be able to hear and understand spoken communication from patients and other healthcare professionals including over the phone.
Manual dexterity: Ability to handle medical instruments and perform tasks such as administering injections drawing blood and changing dressings.
Mobility: Must be able to quickly respond to patient needs and emergencies throughout the facility.

Knowledge Skills & Abilities
Typical:Knowledge:
Medical Terminology Understanding terms used in medicine anatomy physiology and pharmacology.
Clinical Procedures Knowledge of vital signs injections EKGs phlebotomy specimen collection.
Administrative Procedures Familiarity with scheduling medical billing coding (ICD-10 CPT) and insurance processing.
HIPAA & Patient Confidentiality Laws and regulations regarding patient privacy and medical records.
Basic Anatomy and Physiology Understanding body systems and their functions.
Infection Control and Safety Procedures Knowledge of sterilization disinfection PPE use and OSHA guidelines.
Pharmacology Basics Common medications dosages side effects and administration routes.
Electronic Health Records (EHR) Using systems like Epic Cerner or other EMRs.
Customer Service Understanding patient interaction front-desk etiquette and conflict resolution.
Ethics in Healthcare Understanding patient rights professional boundaries and ethical standards.
Skills:
Taking Vital Signs Accurately measure blood pressure pulse temperature and respiration.
Venipuncture and Injections Perform blood draws give injections and handle specimens.
Medical Charting Document accurately and efficiently in patient records.
Performing EKGs Set up and run electrocardiograms.
Assisting with Exams and Procedures Set up instruments and assist physicians during procedures.
Scheduling and Office Management Manage patient appointments referrals and front desk duties.
Handling Medical Billing and Coding Enter and process insurance information and codes.
Use of EHR/EMR Systems Navigate and input data into digital record systems.
Sterilizing Instruments Clean and maintain clinical tools following protocols.
Communicating Effectively With patients physicians and coworkers both verbally and in writing.

Work Environment
Typical:Correctional facility working with patients:
Brazos County Juvenile Justice Center ages 10-17 years old male and female patients.
Brazos County Detention Center ages 18 male and female patients.