Medical Assistant - Community Health Centers of the Central Coast

Job Title: Medical Assistant

Department: Medical

Reports To: Health Center Manager/Clinic Services Supervisor

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Wage Range that the Company Expects to Pay:

• Medical Assistant I: $20.00 - $24.31 per hour
• Medical Assistant II (Certified or Registered): $22.50 – $27.35 per hour
• Medical Assistant for San Luis Obispo or Cambria: $25.00 - $30.39 per hour

SUMMARY

Under the direct supervision of the Health Center Manager (HCM) and Clinic Services Supervisor (CSS), depending on site and specialty, the Medical Assistant (MA) works as part of a team to ensure efficient and quality care to Community Health Centers of the Central Coast (CHCCC) patients. The MA performs nonprofessional clinical duties, maintains and operates medical and laboratory equipment, assists in the treatment and care of patients, including physically demanding assignments, and performs related work as required, post training. Performs clerical duties as needed to support the team.

It is the primary purpose of CHCCC to provide the highest quality of total care possible to the patient population it serves. Such a level of quality depends ultimately on the staff's desire and ability to work together, individually, and as a team. The employee is expected to be professional, punctual, maintain regular attendance, cooperative, motivated, and organized at all times.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Additional duties may be assigned with or without prior notice.

Actively participates in assigned Patient Care Team duties and activities.

Provides quality customer service using AIDET Standards.

The majority of the MA’s time shall be spent with direct patient care, performing duties as listed on Standard Work for each process.

Administers medications via oral, parenteral routes, and topical routes as per Provider’s written orders. If, MA is unfamiliar with medication, he/she refers to nursing drug handbook prior to administering and consults with Provider and/or RN on site.

Performs preliminary intake of vitals and determines need for immunizations, lead screening, preventative exams, and other health maintenance recommendations for specific age groups.

Performs in-house CLIA Waived laboratory tests (urinalysis, pregnancy tests, strep, etc.) Observes manufacturer instructions and ensures quality controls have been performed each day.

May assist with referral and tracking for routine visits, ancillary services, and external providers, notes tracking in medical record and in the appropriate software program as indicated by CHCCC.

Greets patients using two patient identifiers, escorts them to examination room, assists in monitoring patient waiting areas, including patient examination rooms in the event of an acute situation, and to minimize the patient's waiting and maximize the utilization of the provider and the clinic.

Acts to minimize the emotional discomfort associated with an office visit. Provides comfort and encouragement for patients with anxiety.

Maintains clean and safe patient areas. Follows safety procedures and report unsafe conditions to supervisor.

Ensure appropriate documentation of immunizations, intake, vitals, medication reconciliation, etc., in electronic medical record.

May act as an interpreter, using proper and formal grammar, when necessary between patient and provider

Cleans and disinfects instruments and prepares for sterilization by placing instruments in appropriate solution(s) as per manufacturers and CHC guidelines.

Answers telephones to take messages, completes all task in inbox and assists in patient needs, and ensures that all messages are answered at the end of each day.

Attends meetings and trainings as required by supervisor.

Ability to work with high volume of patients, internal/external customers, and deal with frequent changes, delay or unexpected events.

Demonstrates adherence to and observes all safety policies and procedures, inclusive of infection control rules and regulations.

Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served (infants, pediatrics, adolescents, adults or geriatrics).

Demonstrates knowledge of domestic violence, child and dependent abuse protocols.

Demonstrates cultural sensitivity and competence with patients.

Maintains and adheres to HIPAA, employee confidentiality, and privileged communications (patient, employee, and corporation).

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

High school diploma or GED required. Graduation from an accredited school in Medical Assisting. Certified or Registered Medical Assistant (CMA/RMA) preferred. If MA does not have a CMA or RMA at time of hire, employee must be able to pass test within one year of employment.

Minimum one year of recent medical assisting work experience in medical field preferred. Electrocardiogram (EKG), vital signs, venipuncture, injections experience preferred.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquires or complaints. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of patients or employees of organization.

Bilingual - ability to read, speak, and write in English and another language is desirable.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to apply sound judgment in understanding to carry out instructions in written or oral form. Ability to make appropriate job decisions following standard office policies and past precedents.

COMPUTER SKILLS

Experience with word processing, spreadsheets, email, and keyboarding required. Microsoft Office skills required. Working knowledge of EHR required. Competency in EHR system required.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Graduation from an accredited school in Medical Assisting. Certified or Registered Medical Assistant (CMA/RMA) preferred. If MA does not have CMA or RMA at time of hire, employee must be able to pass test within one year of employment.

Possession of current, valid, unrestricted California Driver's License (Class C) required.

Current CPR (BLS-C) card required. If MA does not have a current CPR card at time of hire, then employee has 60 days to become certified.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Required to pass a criminal history background check upon hire.

Annual health examination; annual Tuberculosis skin test clearance or chest x-ray; proof of immunity to MMR, Varicella, and Hepatitis B; proof of Tdap vaccine; during current flu season, must provide proof of influenza vaccine or a signed declination form. If declined, a flu mask is mandatory during flu season.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee occasionally is required to sit. The employee is frequently required to stand and walk. The employee must be able to use appropriate body mechanics techniques when making necessary patient transfers and helping patients with walking, dressing, etc. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds of supplies. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts. The employee is occasionally exposed to risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Must be willing to have a flexible work schedule that may include evenings/weekends, and travel as needed.