Front Office Medical Assistants are required to perform a variety of clerical duties related to appointment scheduling, billing, and patient flow management.
They are also responsible for providing direct assistance to medical specialists in carrying out various complicated medical or surgical procedures.
Serving as the primary point of contact with patients, the position calls for strong communication and interpersonal skills along with excellent telephone etiquette.
Here is a list of common duties and responsibilities of a Front Office Medical Assistant:
Front Office Medical Assistant Job Duties, Tasks, Roles, and Responsibilities
• Schedule appointments by phone and email.
• Respond to patient queries and concerns over the phone.
• Assist the medical specialists in carrying out various medical and surgical procedures.
• Keep procedure trays ready with all instruments and equipment carefully sterilized as per HIPPA guidelines.
• Maintain a neat and clean reception area.
• Direct walk-in patients to the appointment desk.
• Generate accurate procedure summaries and forward the same to the billing department.
• Guide the patients regarding various medical and surgical procedures.
• Greet visitors promptly and courteously upon arrival.
• Prepare the patients prior to medical procedures and x-rays.
• Collect blood samples for lab testing if required.
• Gather an initial history and demographic information from first-time patients.
• Complete all medical records and update patient charts on a daily basis.
• Use the computerized patient database to retrieve information as per request.
• Complete necessary paperwork and assist patients in filling out forms.
• Prepare bills for services rendered by utilizing the computerized patient database.
• Restock medical supplies and maintain an inventory for the same.
• Keep each patients’ record organized and updated.
• Inform the patients timely in case of appointment cancellation or specialists’ unavailability.
• Facilitate patients in getting the required treatment and assist in all aspects of patient care.
• Dress post-surgical wounds as required.
• Check post-surgical cuts and wounds for signs of infection and bandage the same appropriately.
• Monitor patient recovery after medical or surgical procedures.
• Call the lab for timely processing of lab tests.
• Coordinate with the pharmacy for ensuring the availability of medicines and medical supplies.
• Post patient bills online at the time of check-out.
• Document patients’ vital signs, medical history, and chief complaints.
• Escort nervous patients to the examination room and stay with them during the procedure.
• Maintain a working knowledge of departmental SOPs and document all cases in accordance with the same.
• Explain the therapeutic plans issued by medical specialists to the patients in detail before discharging them.
• Schedule follow-up appointments proactively and inform the patients regarding the same.
• Secure patient and guardian signatures on consent forms prior to surgical procedures.
• Transfer telephone calls to appropriate extensions.
• Fax lab reports of patients as requested by the treating specialist.
• Maintain the confidentiality of all patient data and records at all times.