Medical Assistant- Urology Technician II

Under the direction of the Practice Manager, the Urology Technician II (UT- II) is responsible for assisting the physicians, advanced practice providers, and nurses with management and treatment of patients during office visits and other tasks related to the visit consistent with his/her training and skills. The UT- II works with the care team in providing a wide variety of clinical and technical support functions in the delivery of care within the practice. His/her primary role is to assist with outpatient procedures, assure efficient patient flow through the clinic, to maintain a clean, organized, and safe patient care environment and to promote patient satisfaction by interacting with patients in a professional, respectful, and friendly manner. In addition, the UT - II is expected to actively collaborate with the Practice Manager to ensure effective UT efforts across the clinical practice, and to function as a mentor to the UT - I.

General Responsibilities:

Ensures efficient patient flow through the clinic:

• Greets patient and family in waiting room and escorts to exam room.
• Identify patient using 2 identifiers (name & DOB).
• Alerts patients to possible delays in visit timing.
• Obtains and documents accurate vital signs, height, weight, pain level and allergies.
• Ensure that pre-visit paperwork has been completed.
• Prior to or during the patient appointment, performs appropriate ancillary services (urinalysis) unless otherwise directed by the physician.
• Obtains (verify using 2 identifiers), processes, and documents results for urine specimens using the Clinitek device.
• Under direction of physician sends urine specimens for culture & sensitivity or cytology (verify using 2 identifiers).
• Anticipates needs of physician during the appointment, setting up special equipment, supplies and paperwork as needed for visit.
• Alerts provider when the patient is ready to be seen and communicates all pertinent clinical information.
• Assist patients with check-out process.
• Cleans and prepares exam room for next patient
• Responds to the need to expedite processes, trying to maintain schedules and timely patient flow.
• As appropriate, assists physicians with patient care during patient visits.

• Adheres to MGH hand hygiene and standard precaution guidelines.
• Provides care appropriate to age group of patients in the practice setting and documents data per practice protocols.
• Supports a variety of treatments and procedures according to Department/MGH standard policies and procedures.
• Correctly and appropriately uses Ambulatory Patient Tracking System to enhance patient flow via timely and effective communication of patient movements in practice.

Maintains neat, clean, and safe exam rooms and treatment areas:

* Ensures:

* Patient care areas are clean, organized, and ready for patients

* Exam and treatment rooms are properly stocked, equipped, and secured as applicable

* All equipment is cleaned after use per office protocol and is in good working order with a current biomedical inspection sticker

* Supplies are put away in a timely manner.

Participates in daily operational activities necessary for a safe patient care environment:

• Checks unit emergency equipment for lock integrity and biomedical safety checks.
• Checks all refrigerator temperatures and maintains records in the Safety Manual.
• Performs all quality checks for the POCT.
• Performs all quality checks for the Cidex OPA and the Steris system.
• Assumes responsibility for the maintenance of neat, organized and well stocked exam rooms.
• Understands and monitors appropriate cleaning of all equipment.
• Maintain patient confidentiality.
• Maintains MGH-JCAHO standards on the unit.
• Effectively communicates any care-patient issues with peers, nursing staff, Practice Manager, and Operations Manager.
• Effectively supports and functions as a member of the care team.
• Promotes patient/customer satisfaction by interacting with patients in a professional, respectful, friendly manner consistent with their needs.

• Adheres to Human Resource policies with respect to attendance and dress code.
• Adheres to MGH customer service philosophy in all patient interactions.

• Interacts in a professional, supportive, and collaborative fashion with other members of the care team.
• Accepts delegated responsibilities in a positive manner.
• Offers to help others in the practice when able.
• Before leaving the practice for breaks/lunch/meetings, ensures that adequate coverage is available.
• Engages in constructive problem solving with others in the practice as problems arise.
• Participates in MA in-services as scheduled.
• Attends and participates in staff meetings.
• Completes all annual required training.

Specific Urology Duties:

* Principally focus on support of the procedural areas of the Urology ambulatory practice.

* With the assistance of a peers, manage up to 50 procedural patients daily.

* Develop and maintain an inventory of procedure-specific equipment and supplies to par with inventory status and location communicated to staff, care team, etc.

* Monitor procedure schedules 48 and 24 hours prior to procedure dates to ensure proper scheduling of exams. Collaborate with procedure team to resolve any mis-scheduled exams.

* Prepare procedure rooms with the necessary supplies, equipment, etc. for each unique procedure.

* Maintains systems of care and preventative maintenance of all equipment.

* Able to set up Urology procedure suites for varied procedures, including but not limited to cystoscopies, bladder and prostate biopsies, UDS, vasectomies and laser procedures.

* Contacts vendor with equipment issues and communicates to staff and care teams in such scenarios. If needed, arranges for alternative testing times and locations for patient care impacted by equipment outages.

* Maintains eye wash station and corresponding log sheet.

* Prepares Urology procedure suites consistent with procedures scheduled to be performed (e.g. surgical clamps for vasectomy; ultrasound probe for biopsy; flexible cystoscope for cystoscopies).

* Prepares for and assists in Urodynamic (UDS) testing procedures, including cystometrogram and uroflowmetry. Proficiently and safely operates UDS equipment.

* Efficiently prepares procedure rooms for emergency and unscheduled procedures.

* Within procedural support, observes all universal protocols and precautions.

* Orders procedural and other supplies for Urology practice.

* Understands the reprocessing of all utilized equipment. Cleans urological instruments using proper precautions, sterile technique, and appropriate cleaning agents.

* Maintains equipment with support of MGH Bio-Med, vendors & manufacturers

* Trouble-shoot equipment maintenance problems and promptly report major issues to the vendor and/or Operations Manager.

* Prepares (undress, prep, drape) and properly positions patients for Urological procedures.

* Assist Urologists in procedure rooms throughout Urology procedures.

* Reinforce instructions to patients regarding appropriate post-procedure care and limitations following ambulatory Urological procedures.

* Assist patients in completing various research-related questionnaires and health surveys.

* Reviews providers' daily and weekly procedural schedules to plan for staff, space & supply requirements and availabilities.

* Collaborates with team & other disciplines to formulate solutions for potential & real problems.

Skills & Competencies Required

Able to multi-task in a busy practice environment and see work through to completion

Accuracy and attention to detail

Strong patients care skills; excellent interpersonal skills

Sound judgment and problem-solving ability

Ability to work independently and as a team player.

Demonstrated knowledge of HIPAA and infection control

Ability to precept new urology technicians

Minimum Required:

High school diploma, GED or equivalent

Medical Assistant Certification

2-4 Years MA experience; Urology experience a plus

BLS Certification

Laser Certification (Must be obtained within six months of hire)

Massachusetts General Hospital is an Affirmative Action Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.