Medical Assistant

Medical Assistant

Under the supervision of the Health Center Manager and Clinic Services Supervisor, the Medical Assistant plays a key role in delivering efficient, high-quality care to patients at Community Health Centers of the Central Coast. Depending on the site and specialty, the MA performs non-professional clinical duties, operates medical and laboratory equipment, and assists with patient care, including physically demanding tasks. Additionally, the MA supports the team with clerical duties and helping maintain effective workflow and operations.

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.
• 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 the 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 the 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).
• Promote the principle of health care integration and the Patient Centered Medical Home.

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

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 or certification/registration (CMA/RMA) through a California Medical Board-approved medical assistant certifying organization. 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. Certification/registration (CMA/RMA) through a California Medical Board-approved medical assistant certifying organization. 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.

Possession of current, valid, unrestricted California Driver's License (Class C) is required. A current CPR (BLS-C) card is required. Must obtain a valid CPR card within the first 30 days of employment if not certified at the time of hire. CHC's CPR Policy will supersede this job description.

Other Requirements:

Required to pass a criminal history background check and drug screen 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. Health screening requirements are subject to change based on CDC recommendations and federal, state, and/or local public health ordinances.

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 described here reflects the conditions an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities. The role requires the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, and the employee may frequently encounter moving mechanical parts and occasionally be exposed to the risk of electrical shock. The noise level is typically moderate.

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

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required of personnel so classified.