MEDICAL ASSISTANT - FIBROSCAN in Hattiesburg, Mississippi at Forrest General Hospital

Provides comprehensive medical assistant support and performs FibroScan transient elastography examinations in the Gastroenterology Clinic after documented equipment-specific training and competency validation. Works under clinic nursing leadership and provider orders; interpretation remains with authorized providers. Demonstrates compassion, accountability, effective teamwork, and commitment to Forrest Health’s mission and promise.

Performance Expectations

• Provide age-appropriate patient care support under the direction of the Gastroenterologist, Nurse Practitioner, and Clinic Manager (RN), within assigned competencies and organizational policies.
• Identify patients using approved identifiers; escort and room patients, obtain and document vital signs, height, weight, and other assigned measurements.
• Review and update medications, allergies, histories, and screening information in Epic; identify discrepancies and refer them to the licensed provider.
• Prepare examination rooms, supplies, and patients for gastrointestinal consultations and authorized office-based examinations.
• Assist with provider examinations and permitted office procedures; follow hand hygiene, aseptic technique, infection prevention, and specimen-handling policies.
• Collect, label, and transport specimens and perform authorized point-of-care testing only after documented training and competency validation.
• Accurately document assigned activities in Epic; route patient messages, refill requests, test results, and clinical concerns to appropriate licensed personnel.
• Provide approved patient education materials and reinforce provider-directed instructions, including preparation for GI diagnostic studies and endoscopy.
• Coordinate clinic follow-up, referrals, diagnostic testing, and communication with the GI Clinic scheduling team as assigned; the clinic sends completed procedure schedules to the ASC.
• Maintain examination rooms, equipment, supplies, and a safe environment; report abnormal observations, equipment issues, and patient safety concerns promptly.
• Protect patient confidentiality, demonstrate respectful communication, and uphold Forrest Health standards of professionalism and service.

FibroScan-Specific Responsibilities

• Perform FibroScan (transient elastography) examinations on patients with valid provider orders, following manufacturer instructions, facility protocols, and documented competency validation.
• Confirm required preparation and screening information using the approved checklist; refer contraindications, limitations, or uncertain suitability to the ordering provider before proceeding.
• Select approved probe and acquisition settings per validated protocol; position patients, obtain technically acceptable measurements, and document examination quality indicators.
• Upload or enter examination data into the designated system, verify correct patient linkage, and communicate technical limitations or incomplete studies to the provider.
• Clean and maintain the FibroScan device, probes, and related equipment according to manufacturer instructions and infection prevention requirements.
• Do not independently interpret liver stiffness or steatosis measurements, diagnose disease, or provide clinical treatment recommendations.

Qualifications

Education / Skills: High school diploma or equivalent required; graduation from a recognized Medical Assistant program preferred.

Work Experience: At least one year of medical assistant or comparable clinical experience preferred; GI or hepatology experience preferred.

Certification / Licensure: Medical Assistant certification required upon hire, consistent with source template. Basic Life Support (BLS) required within 30 days of employment.

Additional Competency: FibroScan operator training and demonstrated competency required before independently performing examinations.

Technical Skills: Computer literacy, Epic documentation, medical terminology, infection prevention, patient communication, and ability to operate assigned clinical equipment.