Overview
The Department of Surgery at Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University is seeking an outstanding Medical Assistant to join the team.
The Medical Assistant (MA) provides essential clinical and administrative support in a fast-paced outpatient surgical environment. This role specializes in patient intake, coordination of pre- and post-operative care, patient education, and assisting providers with minor in-office surgical procedures. Because this position supports both General Surgery and Surgical Oncology services, the ideal candidate demonstrates strong critical-thinking skills, attention to detail, excellent communication abilities, and compassion for patients navigating surgical and cancer-related diagnoses.
Candidates with previous medical assistant experience are preferred; however, motivated individuals with relevant healthcare training and a willingness to learn are encouraged to apply.
Responsibilities
Patient Intake: Room patients, obtain and accurately record vital signs (BP, pulse, temperature, respiration, SPO2), height, weight, medication reconciliation, allergies, and chief complaints in the Electronic Health Record (EHR)/Epic.
- Clinical Assessment Support: Recognize and appropriately communicate abnormal findings, patient concerns, or changes in condition to providers. Utilize critical-thinking skills to identify potential barriers to care and escalate concern as appropriate.
- Surgical Prep & Assistance: Prepare examination and procedure rooms according to sterile and aseptic protocols. Assist surgeons and advanced practice providers during minor in-office procedures, including biopsies, cyst removals, stitch/staple removals, wound debridements, and drain management.
- Wound Care: Safely remove surgical dressings, inspect surgical sites for signs of infection or complications, and apply clean/sterile dressings as directed by the provider.
- Patient Education: Reinforce provider instructions regarding surgical preparation, wound care, medication management, and post-operative recovery.
- Specimen Handling: Label, track, and log biopsy and tissue specimens accurately, ensuring immediate and seamless transfer to pathology and laboratory services.
- Infection Control: Clean, sanitize, and sterilize instruments and equipment according to organizational policies and regulatory standards. Maintain required sterilization documentation and logs.
- Surgical Coordination: Assist with scheduling procedures, coordinating diagnostic testing, and ensuring completion of pre-operative requirements.
- Prior Authorizations: Coordinate with insurance carriers to obtain prior authorizations for imaging studies, procedures, medications, and surgical interventions.
- Triage Support: Answer patient calls, route clinical concerns appropriately, and communicate provider-approved instructions, test results, and follow-up recommendations.
- Care Coordination: Collaborate with surgeons, advanced practice providers, nurses, oncology teams, primary care providers, and outside facilities to ensure continuity of care.
- Medical Records Management: Obtain and organize outside medical records, pathology reports, operative reports, and imaging studies.
- Supply Management: Monitor inventory levels, restock exam rooms and supply areas, and ensure clinical supplies remain current and available.
- Maintain complete confidentiality in compliance with HIPAA guidelines.
- Ensure accurate and timely documentation within the EHR/ EPIC.
- Complete and maintain required clinical logs including temperature monitoring, autoclave logs, and expiration of medications are documented.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications and Skills:
Completion of a Medical Assistant training program.
Active Medical Assistant Certification (CMA, RMA, CCMA, or NCMA) required).
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience: Previous experience in a healthcare setting preferred but not required.
- Ability to learn surgical workflows, sterile techniques, and specialty-specific medical terminology.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to provide compassionate, patient-centered care.
- Ability to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team.
- Strong organizational and multitasking skills with the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
Location : Location
US-VA-Norfolk
