Explore opportunities at Atrius Health, part of the Optum family of businesses. We're an innovative health care leader and multi-specialty group practice, delivering an effective, connected system of care for adult and pediatric patients at 28 practice locations in eastern Massachusetts. Our entire team of providers (physicians, AP/NPs and ancillary clinicians) works collaboratively with a value-based philosophy within our group practice as well as with hospitals, rehab and nursing facilities. Be part of our vision to transform care and improve lives by building trust, understanding and shared decision-making with every patient. Join us and discover the meaning behind Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

As the Medical Assistant II (Special Procedures) you will provide direct clinical and clerical support to medical and surgical specialty clinicians (and other procedural based departments). Provides medical assistant support to physicians or advanced practice clinicians for both office visits as well as in operative and surgical procedures. Performs tasks such as assisting in room preparation and turnover, maintenance of a sterile environment, and assisting the clinicians with minor operative and surgical procedures.  Also performs general medical assistant support for pre and post procedural office visits including advanced level support tasks

Primary Responsibilities:

• Maintains a higher degree of technical expertise than Medical Assistant I and serves as role model to Medical Assistant I's.  Able to problem-solve and serve as a resource to other Medical Assistants
• Assists with flow of patients throughout the unit, including physically assisting patients as needed
• Assists with patient education pre and post procedure as needed under the direction of a clinician.  Obtains appropriate x-rays and other diagnostic test results prior to patient appointment.  Follows meaningful use guidelines to verify and update patient medical information in the EMR, such as confirming demographic information, medications, allergies and chief medical complaints, and ensuring the EMR patient data is accurate and up-to-date
• Prepares the patient in room for minor operative and surgical procedures.  Connect patients to monitoring equipment and takes vital signs. May assist patients in changing area/bathroom
• Prepares the setup for sterile fields, handles instruments and other needed materials. Sterilizes instruments and equipment according to instructions
• Provides support to the physician during a range of advanced procedures (e.g., Fine Needle Aspirations) by handling instruments and materials as directed.  Operates specialized equipment related to department as needed and with proper supervision
• Cleans rooms after procedure to ensure germ-free environment.  Follows proper cleaning procedures for equipment and surgical instruments.  Understands sterilization functions for equipment used.  Checks and ensures continual operation of autoclave equipment and leak tests equipment.  Runs asserts and inspects process for assert errors and conducts proper procedures to assure asserts run successfully.  Performs quality control checks on other equipment as needed by department
• May assist patient in recovery area under direction of a clinician
• Responsible for labeling, verifying and sending pathology and lab specimens for processing.  May handle outgoing Mohs biopsies and other involved tests. Under clinician direction, reviews and communicates to patients test results that have been reviewed by the physician (in certain cases only)
• Under direction of a physician, may perform follow-up visit procedures such as removing sutures and staples, removal of dressings, and other specified medical treatments as directed.  May apply advanced durable medical equipment, such as braces, boots, slings, and provide training for proper use of crutches
• May schedule follow-up appointments including hospital bookings, post-operative visits, infusions, and specialty specific complicated tests (e.g., CT, MRI, Thyrogen). Verifies appointments and completes prior authorization paperwork. Verifies pharmacies and conducts medical reconciliations and prescription refills. Assists patients with set up of referrals. Obtains authorization numbers and processes prior authorizations. Completes paperwork to obtain information from or provide information to outside doctors, hospitals, health or social service agencies and insurance agencies. For outside appointments, ensures results are received and entered in the EMR
• May be responsible for workman's compensation and disability paperwork
• Maintains surveillance recall database (often a spreadsheet) or rosters reviews in EpicCare to ensure patients are called back at the appropriate time. Tracks need for upcoming appointments and makes outreach calls to patients about scheduling those appointments. Updates problem area in the health maintenance section of EpicCare so overdue patient appointments are flagged
• Performs templating of clinicians' schedules.  Under supervisor direction makes adjustments to templates and coordinates rescheduling of patients
• Answers the back line (non-public) phones, providing internal consultation and problem resolution support to specialty departments.  Screens and expedites urgent same day calls from referring departments.  Coordinates appointments for consultations, tests, and procedures outside the unit.  May take a turn on the patient phones lines as well
• Participates in care improvement activities as expected, such as Rapid Improvement Events (RIEs), Value Stream Analyses (VSAs), and Managing of Daily Improvements (MDIs)
• Performs Medical Assistant II duties for non-procedural visits.  May also perform Medical Secretary II or other support function duties as needed
• Adheres to all necessary Atrius Health guidelines and safety procedures.  This may include but is not limited to participating in surgical time outs when IV sedation is used and performing needle and sponge counts for any procedure where body cavities are entered
• With proper guidance, is able to use and follow procedures for specialized equipment specific to procedures performed in designated department  (e.g., CO2 laser)

You'll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications:

• High School Diploma/GED
• 3+ years of experience in a clinical setting with 1+ years as a Medical Assistant (a bachelor's or associate degree may be substituted for one year of experience)
• Knowledge of sharps and biohazard materials
• Knowledge of operating autoclave asserts and what to do if the assert fails
• Understands how to assist with department specific procedures such as FNA (Fine Needle Aspirations)
• Electronic medical record (EMR) experience and/or aptitude to master the EMR based on other technology experience 
• Computer experience 
• Proficient in setting up a sterile field
• Proven ability to use word processing and spreadsheet programs
• Proven ability to communicate in a professional and appropriate manner
• Demonstrates high level of skill in cleaning, maintenance and usage of specialized equipment relevant to the department and position
• Demonstrated ability to work with lab specimens
• Demonstrated exceptional patient service awareness and skills
• Demonstrated ability to provide a high level of customer service

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associate's degree in medical assisting or graduate of medical assistant certification program 
• American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS)  

Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, we offer benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with us, you'll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives. The hourly pay for this role will range from $16.00 to $27.69 per hour based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.

At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone-of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income-deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes - an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.

UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.

UnitedHealth Group is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.