Medical Assistant Intern

Medical Assistant Intern

Reports to: Director of Nursing Services and Lead CMA

JOB PURPOSE: The Medical Assistant Intern supports the daily activities of the Director of Nursing Services. The Medical Assistant Intern provides clinical assistance to clients seeking medication support services and performs routine in-house testing as ordered. The MA Intern assists with medication services at the residential facilities and Clallam County Respite Center and maintains appropriate connections with pharmacies and other medical providers throughout the community.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provides direct client care related to observation, intervention, and stabilization of the clients with chronic mental illness.
• Provides client services including clinical observation, administration of medication (oral and injectables), monitoring vital signs, physical parameters, assessing compliance, and observing for side effects.
• Obtains patient medical history, medication reconciliation, and chief complaint.
• Performs EKG, phlebotomy services, urine dips, genetic testing, and any other in-house testing as ordered.
• Processes refill requests and prior authorizations as indicated per department procedures.
• Documents care within the Nursing Services guidelines and standards.
• Teaches and evaluates training for clients and staff related to medication self-administration programs.
• Works in a collegial manner with all clinical staff and supervisors
• Documents clinical information through electronic medical records systems, electronic prescribing systems, and any other necessary systems.
• Monitors, administers, and/or follows up on prescribed medical treatments, medications, and laboratory test in accordance with provider's orders.
• In collaboration with other staff, observes for medication side effects and reports to provider for appropriate interventions.
• Accurately transcribes provider's orders, maintains records, and completes documentation while maintaining Federal, State and Agency standards of confidentiality.
• Communicates accurately and efficiently with outside care providers including pharmacies and primary care teams.
• Although the typical workday is during normal hours, some evening and weekend hours may be required.
• Maintains familiarity with and handles client information in accordance with Federal Regulations (42 CFR, Part 2), the Revised Code of Washington (RCW 71.05.390 and RCW 71.24), and other applicable laws pertaining to confidentiality of client and staff information.
• Maintains physical security of confidential materials and assigned Agency property.

SECONDARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide support for Clallam County Respite Center medication program.
• Provides support to the medical staff through screening and referring or handling client phones calls and drop-in clients as appropriate.
• Perform routine checks on E-Kit, AED machine and any additional equipment as identified.
• Participates in staffing, training, staff meetings, and individual supervision as assigned.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS:

• Enters client records in EMR and prescribing software.
• Abides with attendance, punctuality, and professional expectations.
• Administers expected duties in a timely fashion.
• Attends a minimum of 90% of required meetings, staffing, training, and educational opportunities as scheduled.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, LICENSE(S), CERTIFICATION, AND EXPERIENCE:

Education: High school graduate or GED; current enrollment in a college-level Certified Medical Assistant Program and eligible for practicum placement in the program

Licensure: Eligibility for license as a Medical Assistant - Certified in Washington State once completion of Medical Assistant program; this position is designed for practicum placement.

Experience: Current enrollment in college level Medical Assistant program and eligible for practicum placement in the program

Additional requirements:

• Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug test and background check.
• Must be able to provide vaccination records for MMR, Hep B, Tdap and recent flu shot.

PREFERRED ADDITIONAL CREDENTIALS / EXPERIENCE:

Experience: Psychiatric experience preferred

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Essential:

Age Specific Knowledge & Skills: Must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care to adult and pediatric clients.


NATURE AND SCOPE:

Physical Demands:

• Moderate physical effort (lift/carries up to 25 pounds)
• Frequent standing/ walking
• Occasionally lifts supplies and equipment.
• Required Protective Equipment: maintains Standard Precautions and uses barriers (gloves, masks, aprons, goggles, etc.) and uses available industrial precautions appropriately in all potential exposure tasks where risk to exposure to bodily fluids have been identified.
• Rarely exposed to clients with aggressive behaviors.

Cognitive Skills:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to learn and utilize Electronic Medical Records
• Willingness to work as a team member.
• Ability to work independently and be a self-starter.
• Working knowledge of the administration of medications
• Attention to details.
• Ability to manage crises effectively.

Working Environment:

• May be exposed to infections and contagious diseases.
• Occasionally exposed to patients exhibiting assaultive behaviors
• Clean, well-lit, and ventilated office

Working Demands:

• Frequent pressure due to schedule demands
• Contact with patients under a wide variety of circumstances.
• Subject to varying and unpredictable situations.
• Handles emergency or crisis situations.
• Subject to long irregular hours

Principal Challenges:

• Working collaboratively with clients, other employees, and multiple community referral sources
• Ensuring safety of clients at all times

*Peninsula Behavioral Health does not discriminate because of a person's presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, race, creed, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity including transgender status, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth, and pregnancy-related conditions, age (40), honorably discharged veteran or military status, or use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, state employee or health care whistleblower status.