Medical Assistant

ABOUT SHERIDAN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

At Sheridan Memorial Hospital, we proudly rank in the top 13.6% of U.S. hospitals, recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. With over 850+ dedicated employees and 100+ expert providers across 25 specialties, we are committed to exceptional, patient-centered care. Set in northern Wyoming’s stunning Big Horn Mountain foothills, Sheridan offers outdoor adventure and community charm. Our hospital combines cutting-edge technology with a collaborative, innovative culture. Join a team that values your skills, fosters growth, and empowers you to impact lives meaningfully. Apply today and be part of Sheridan Memorial Hospital’s mission of excellence!

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Nestled at the foothills of the Big Horn Mountains in northern Wyoming, spectacular scenery and outdoor activities abound. Our hospital has the latest technology and equipment comparative to that of many larger facilities, and you will find our staff is friendly, compassionate, caring, and courteous. We focus on creating and nurturing a workplace that encourages, recognizes, and rewards individual effort and creativity. Leadership is responsive to changing modes of healthcare delivery and adapts accordingly. We value effective communication and honesty and believe teamwork based on mutual respect is key to success.

JOB SUMMARY

We are seeking a compassionate and dedicated individual to join our team in palliative care. Under general supervision, assists in the delivery of comprehensive, patient-centered care, addressing the physical, psychosocial, emotional, and spiritual needs of patients and their families. Working closely with physicians, non-physician providers, RNs, LPNs, and other clinical staff, this role will focus on providing holistic care for individuals experiencing serious illness, with an emphasis on quality of life, symptom management, and support for end-of-life transitions.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Professional Practice

• Adheres to organizational policies and procedures.


• Collaborates with other departments in a professional manner as needed to provide patient-centered care.


• Demonstrates effective communication, conflict resolution, team building, and leadership skills.


• Compliance with Sheridan Memorial Hospital’s Kindness First Service Standards.


• Creates and maintains an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest and positive emphasis, as well as a calm environment throughout the unit shift.


• Cleans patient rooms after discharge.


• Prepares room, equipment and supplies as dictated by a particular examination or patient’s needs. (Environment of Care, Exam Room, Room & Instrument Preparation)


• Assists with scheduling admissions, appointments, diagnostic tests, treatments, procedures, and surgery. (Patient Service, Scheduling, Patient Scheduling)


• Screens incoming telephone calls for appropriate referrals to nurse, physician and/or non-physician provider. (Patient Care, Triage, Phone Triage)


• Orders and maintains clinical and office supplies and equipment as directed. (Resource Management, Inventory, Office Supplies & Equipment)


• Maintains patient files, records and other information. Adheres to confidentiality requirements. (HIM, Patient Chart, Documents in Patient Record)


• Compiles statistical data for reports as directed. (Administrative Support, Data Analyses, Statistics)


• Receives and prepares patient for examination and treatment as directed. Obtains and records history and vital signs. Charts and documents in medical record. Collects laboratory specimens as needed. (Patient Care, Patient Examination Preparation)


• Assists physicians and non-physician providers in preparing for minor procedures and physical exams. Performs minor procedures to include but not limited to stitch and staple removal, application of dressings, splints and casts, etc. (Patient Care, Procedure, Assist Providers)


• Provides instruction to patients as directed by physician, non-physician provider or documented in policies and procedures. (Education, Patient, Patient Education)


• Cleans and disinfects equipment per SMH/BHHN sterile processing guidelines. (Environment of Care, Exam Room, Sterile Processing)


• Gives injections, limited to influenza and pneumococcal vaccines and TDAP per provider order, and to patients 16 or older, and according to department specific guidelines. (Patient Care; Patient Care, Injections)


• Patient-Centered Care: Collaborates with the multidisciplinary care team to meet the physical, emotional, psychosocial, spiritual, and educational needs of patients and families, especially those with chronic, terminal, or life-limiting conditions.


• Holistic Support: Provides emotional and psychological support to patients and families dealing with serious illness and end-of-life decisions, helping to guide discussions around goals of care and advance care planning.


• Care Coordination: Works in partnership with physicians, nurses, social workers, and chaplains to coordinate comprehensive care plans tailored to each patient’s individual needs.


• Advanced Communication Skills: Demonstrates strong communication skills, facilitating family meetings, care conferences, and sensitive conversations regarding prognosis, treatment options, and patient preferences.

Quality

• Assists with patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.


• Completes documentation that meets current standards and policies.


• Performs treatments and provide services within scope of practice.


• Communicates appropriately and clearly with all health care team members.


• Provides care appropriate to disease condition and age of the patient within scope of practice.


• Assists nursing staff with procedures and performs services requiring technical and manual skills within training and scope of practice.


• Provides timely reports of all events such as near misses, adverse events, patient/family complaints, and any situation that affects the safe delivery of patient-centered care.


• Symptom Management: Assists in the management of symptoms related to chronic and terminal illnesses (e.g., pain management, nausea, fatigue) under the guidance of the palliative care team.


• Spiritual and Emotional Support: Supports patients and families in navigating emotional and spiritual challenges related to illness and end-of-life issues, often involving grief and loss counseling.


• End-of-Life Care: Provides comfort-focused care for patients transitioning to end-of-life, supporting families with compassionate guidance through hospice care, advanced directives, and post-death support.

Service

• Treats patients and their families with respect and dignity. Identifies and addresses psychosocial, cultural, ethnic and religious/spiritual needs of patients and their families.


• Maintains good working relationships both within the department and with other departments.


• Identifies and addresses psychosocial needs of patients and family; communicates with social service/discharge planner regarding both in hospital and post discharge needs.


• Demonstrates an ability to be flexible, organized and function well under stressful situations.


• Performs proper telephone etiquette. If transferring a telephone call, announces the caller and briefly explains the situation before ending the transfer.


• Communication with patient on expectations, e.g. wait times.


• Able to assist with patient service assistance needs as necessary and provide service recovery, e.g. coffee cards, lunch, gas cards.


• Distributes hospital specific literature.


• Knowledge:


• Proficient in basic patient care and treatment, planning and evaluating according to job description and MA level.


• Competent to perform routine, non- complex aspects of patient care, treatments and procedures.


• Safe pharmaceutical handling requirements and guidelines


• Comprehensive knowledge of patient care, treatment, planning and evaluating according to job description and MA level


• Demonstrated ability to perform high level, complex aspects of patient care, treatments and procedures with


• proficiency, accuracy and minimal supervision


• Safe pharmaceutical handling requirements and guidelines


• Application of personal protective equipment (PPE) for patient and staff safety


• Pharmacology specific to department for influenza and pneumococcal vaccinesents and guidelines.


• Pharmacology specific to department


• Orders non-stock supplies through the Material Management computer system.


• Attends and actively participates in departmental staff meetings and committees as requested.


• Completes all mandatory education; participates in continuing education activities within the department and organization.


• Palliative Care Knowledge: A strong willingness to learn palliative care principles, including pain and symptom management, end-of-life care, and family-centered approaches.


• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary team, including physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and other support staff.


• Crisis Management: Ability to manage complex and emotional situations, including crisis intervention, and providing emotional support to families.


• Cultural Competency: Demonstrates cultural sensitivity and competence in caring for diverse populations, particularly in sensitive end-of-life contexts.


• Clinical Competency: Competence in routine patient care procedures, with the flexibility to assist with complex cases, including chronic disease management and symptom relief.

Technical Skills/Cross-training:

• Basic laboratory specimen handling and processing (urinalysis, blood sugars, etc.)


• Safe pharmaceutical handling requirements and guidelines


• Cross-trained to perform laboratory specimen handling and processing and/or phlebotomy skills.


• Cross-trained to assist physician and/or non-physician provider with procedures


• Responsible for independently running a schedule or acting as the primary support for a physician or other health care provider


• Perform semi-complex medical treatments or use of modalities (i.e., phototherapy, uniboots, etc.)


• Giving injections for approved medications after completion of SMH/BHHN injection class (see department guidelines for approved medications)


• CMAs/RMAs giving TB intradermal injections will be required to also complete additional training specific to TB injections prior to administering.


• Assists with orientation of new personnel.

Process Improvement/Quality and Risk Management:

• Adheres to patient safety goals and standards


• Participates in one or more of the following Process Improvement/Quality or Risk related activities within the department


• Identifies a departmental risk or enhancement and offers solutions for improvement


• Assists in departmental monitor(s) for a minimum of one quarter for trending or analyzing, Reports findings back to manager/supervisor


• Instructs staff through 1 on 1, huddles, staff meetings, etc on safety, risk, or quality topics(s), eg, disinfection process, hand hygiene, proper PPE, confidentiality, labeling medications, medication reconciliation, procedure time outs, critical test results, patient related communications, etc


• Involved with at least one operational excellence project or Value Stream Process Improvement project as directed by departmental leadership. Helps with communications to staff.
  
  

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Experience & License

• High school diploma or general equivalency diploma (GED) required.


• Six (6) months experience in a medical field required OR an equivalent combination of education and experience related to the above tasks, knowledge, skills and abilities.


• Medical terminology course, preferred.


• BLS, required

Additional Skills

• Able to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing


• Additional languages desirable


• Basic computer knowledge


• Demonstrated effective organizational skills

Specific demands not listed: Possible exposure to blood and or body fluids / infectious disease / hazardous waste requiring the use of Personal Protective Equipment. Exposure to odorous chemicals / specimens and Latex products.

Pre-employment drug and alcohol screening is required.

Sheridan Memorial Hospital is an equal opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and gives consideration for employment to qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you would like more information about your EEO rights as an applicant under the law, please click here.