Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) - Oncology

Job Shift: Days

Job Type: Full Time

Hours:

To support the department team by scheduling patients into the program, providing hard copy documentation of follow-up correspondence, and providing a central resource for patients and other health care facilities and departments.

To assist the department specialists (i.e. RNs, Radiation Therapists, etc.) in monitoring patient status and comfort in order to keep the department functioning smoothly.

These services further the vision of Desert Regional Medical Center  to create unique environments, where patients, their families, doctors and staff come together to achieve longer and better lives in the fight against cancer.

DEPARTMENT SPECIFIC DUTIES:    

•    May be responsible for some or all of the following duties:
•    Responds to telephone calls from patients, outside agency personnel, and other departments in the host hospital in a timely fashion with accurate, pertinent, and informative answers. 
•    Maintains patient demographic information in computer [software] to enable scheduling.
•    Generates and types correspondence, reports, and other documents as necessary, needed, or requested.
•    Screens and recruits patients for grant-funded services and submits appropriate documentation for reimbursement of services.
•    Monitors vital signs and intake/output.
•    Monitors patient comfort.
•    Cleans, restocks supply carts and discards expired items.
•    Some clerical duties as needed.  Enters charges in SMS, schedules surgeries and obtains authorizations.
•    Maintains general orderliness at end of patient day.
•    May disinfect IV pumps/equipment.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
•    Cancer Center administrative/clinical/records staff to obtain patient medical charts, signatures, verbal information.
•    Hospital staff to obtain patient reports and films.
•    Patients and other telephone callers regarding scheduling appointments, general information, and billing problems.
•    Outside public and private health care facilities to schedule appointments and provide general information.

MAJOR CHALLENGES
•    To stay current on scheduling and notification within time constraints
•    Managing a heavy and hectic workload
•    Prioritizing the following tasks:
•    When to take vital signs
•    Patient Comfort
•    Orient patient with room
•    Maintenance of cart
•    Stocking of carts

DECISION MAKING RESPONSIBILITIES
•    Schedule/reschedule patients’ appointments
•    Generate and mail return visit letters with scheduled appointment dates to patients
•    Qualify patients for grant funding
•    Submission of grant funding reimbursement forms

Required: 
•    Complies with regulatory requirements (i.e. TJC) appropriate for position
•    High School diploma or GED
•    Medical Office Assistant certificate or Diploma
•    BLS maintained current at all times
•    One (1) year training as medical office assistant or equivalent experience 
•    Vital Signs
•    Universal Precautions
•    Body Mechanics
•    Telephone Techniques
•    Basic Computer Knowledge
•    Operation of DataScope and EKG
•    Experience with various computer programs, including data bases, Windows XP
•    Accurate typing skills
•    Excellent customer service skills
•    Self-starter individual with above-average time-management skills
•    Maturity in judgment; open to change
•    Ability to use various types of office equipment
•    General knowledge of rules of confidentiality/release of information

Preferred:             

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
•    Must be able to bend, reach, lift up to 40 lbs., stand sit or walk for extended periods of time.

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Desert Care Network serves the healthcare needs of the Coachella Valley and Morongo Basin regions in Southern California with three hospitals Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, JFK Memorial Hospital in Indio and Hi-Desert Medical Center in Joshua Tree. The hospital network provides advanced care with services such as comprehensive stroke care, a cancer center, a Level 1 Trauma Center and the only Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in the Coachella Valley. Desert Care Network is committed to healthcare equality. Join our team!