Medical Assistant - Full Time - Bellingham - Bilingual English/Spanish Required

Job Details: Job Location: Bellingham Health Center - Bellingham, WA 98225, Salary Range: $21.40 - $32.10 Hourly, Summary/Objective The Medical Assistant (MA) is a clinical representative of PPGWNI and is responsible for excellent internal and external customer service. The MA is responsible for expediting and enhancing the patient experience and living out the affiliate’s mission to provide exceptional health care, honest education, and fearless advocacy for all.

Essential Functions

• Greet patients and visitors in a positive, warm, caring, friendly manner. Anticipate patient needs and proactively work to increase the satisfaction of the patient experience beginning with the first impression created by the demeanor in the reception area and in the exam room, level of professionalism, and the overall effectiveness and efficiency displayed throughout the patient’s visit.
• Provide excellent customer service as demonstrated by behavior and model through actions and appearance. Treat internal and external clients with the utmost professionalism, respect, and courtesy; anticipate patient and coworker needs and respond in a courteous, pro-active manner.
• Safeguard the privacy and protected health information of patients in compliance with law and PPGWNI policies. Completely understand confidentiality and HIPAA and consequences of non-compliance.
• Explain all PPGWNI services, FDA approved birth control methods, and provide specific instruction on the patient’s selected method; be able to explain and educate on sexually transmitted infection (STI) transmissions and treatments; and educate patients in a non-directive manner on all options available to them in the event of an unintended pregnancy, making a referral based on the patient’s needs.
• Responsible for accurate and consistent attention to detail, including processing labs, specimen handling, lab equipment, appropriate and legible written or typed chart documentation. Must fully understand practice management encounter forms and codes and use correctly. Work toward passing and exceeding expectations of accuracy on quality and customer service audits with a significant upward trend as noted on all subsequent audits as defined by work plans.
• Perform clinical research and peer clinical education and training duties as assigned.
• Responsible for adhering to all policy and procedure, and abiding by scope of practice when providing health services side by side with a provider, with a clinician phone consult, telemedicine, or with a nurse, and including but not limited to: Vital monitoring, history intake and data-entry, rooming client, providing verbal and written health education, explaining and obtaining health services education, lab specimen process and handling including venous blood and urine sources, electronic medical record (EMR) and paper medical record documentation, processing lab specimens post-procedures, performing in-house lab testing and controls, assisting providers with in-office procedures, assisting clients through the care process.
• Other clinical general duties include: opening and set-up of clinical area, ability to anticipate and support clinician needs, actively promote quality and efficiency of care, maintain lab and clinical care area control and infection control standards, facilitate clinical closure and readiness for next day services and maintain management communication for inventory adequacy.
• Perform clinical care tasks as delegated and supervised by provider or nurse within PPGWNI and State policy including medication administration by injection (except IV), oral medication administration.
• Actively work with the Health Center Manager and other members of clinical management to further the goals of the clinic.
• Responsible for communicating positively and hold self and team members accountable; work to increase the team spirit of the clinic.
• Understand fully and adhere strictly to PPGWNI protocols, policy, and procedures; actively increase knowledge and compliance of same. Demonstrate annual competency on skill evaluations and proficiency or competency tests and/or audits.
• Support productivity expectations and compliance standards of the agency.
• Familiar with clinic emergency procedure; act as Health Center Manager designee when appropriate.
• Understand all pay sources and funding sources and able to apply to appropriate criteria.
• Must adhere to scheduling procedures and perform work as assigned.
• Must be committed to the provision of quality healthcare and excellent customer service and complete job duties in adherence to PPGWNI’s mission.
• Serve as a role model for our In This Together (ITT) workplace values and service standards.
• Other duties as assigned.

Basic Medical Assistant Competencies:

• Flu/Strep/Hep C/Covid swab collection
• Telehealth intakes
• intramuscular (IM) injections
• injection teaching
• emergency contraception education
• venipuncture
• AIC Screening
• processing and shipping labs
• e-logs
• laboratory controls
• open/close health center procedures
• maintain equipment maintenance log

Medical Assistant Certified Basic Competencies:

Includes the above and medication injections as directed by clinician.

Organization Structure and Interfaces:

The MA reports directly to the Health Center manager and works closely with other health center staff, administration staff, and patients.

Qualifications: Required Education and Experience

• Minimum high school diploma or equivalent (GED).
• Medical Assistant Certified must have satisfactory post-secondary education and certification approved from Washington State.
• Completion of 7-hour HIV training and registration approved from Washington State.
• Ability to self-motivate and multi-task with excellent mental and physical dexterity while remaining focused with minimal supervision.
• Proficiency in standard computer operating systems and standard office equipment, strong attention to detail, basic and advanced math skills.
• Must be skilled at taking direction and able to complete tasks independently in all areas of the clinic.
• Ability to read, write, speak, hear and understand English is required.
• Flexibility in work schedule is required, including working early morning, evenings and Saturdays.
• Travel to other health centers is required.
• Bilingual English/Spanish required.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position does not supervise other staff.

Travel

Required to affiliate sites and other venues as needed. A valid driver’s license, vehicle insurance, and access to reliable transportation is required.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work.

This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Sunday during clinical operating hours. This position may need to work long hours and weekends as needed.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

What it’s Like to Work at Planned Parenthood

We understand that excellent patient care starts with staff who feel respected, cared for, and engaged in their work. With that in mind, we constantly work to ensure that staff needs are met and that we are providing a supportive workplace where everyone feels like they belong.

• Generous paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays.
• 401k retirement plan with up to a 5% employer match.
• A full benefits package – including medical and dental – with the individual employee’s insurance premiums covered 100%. Vision coverage and FSA options are available.
• Company sponsored Life Insurance and ADD coverage.
• Employee Wellness Program that offers reimbursement for health and wellness expenses.
• Free subscription to the Calm App.
• Access to free Therapy Sessions through BetterHelp.
• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities.
• Additional $1/hr. compensation for staff who pass our internal Spanish competency test.
• Multiple scheduling options.
• Remote work options as their role allows.

Working at PPGWNI is more than a job. It is an opportunity to help ensure that all Washingtonians have access to affordable, high-quality sexual and reproductive health care and accurate education so they can lead healthy lives. We approach our work through a health equity lens, seeking to break down the barriers that prevent individuals from accessing the health care and information they need and deserve.

Who We Are and What We Do

PPGWNI is a leading health care provider, educator, and advocate, serving nearly 32,000 adults and teens throughout Washington and North Idaho annually. For over 50 years, our dedicated staff have been providing every person in our community access to the comprehensive health care services, education programs, and fearless advocacy they need to be healthy and plan their futures. PPGWNI is committed to equity and believe we are most impactful when people with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and identities come together with common purpose.

ADA Requirements

• Language Skills - Must be able to read and interpret documents and reference materials such instruction booklets, operations and procedural manuals, sketches and schematics. Ability to create, write and word process accurate reports and correspondence using computer systems and Microsoft application software. Ability to speak effectively over the phone and in person with individuals, community groups and the media providing credible and accurate information consistent with our brand strategy and excellent customer service.
• Data Utilization - Requires the ability to arrange, compare, count, differentiate, measure, and/or sort data and information. This includes judging whether readily observable functional, structural, or compositional characteristics are similar to divergent from prescribed standards, procedures or routines.
• Situational Reasoning - Requires the ability to exercise the judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving a variety of duties which are often characterized by frequent change. Must remain calm under pressure and in extreme situations requiring deference to education and training.
• Functional Reasoning - Requires the ability to define and articulate problems, collect data and establish facts and draw valid conclusions. Ability to apply principles of rational systems. Ability to interpret instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form. Ability to exercise independent judgment to adopt or modify methods and standards to meet variations in assigned objectives.
• Mathematical Aptitude - Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; calculate decimals and percentages. May use higher math functions like statistical and regression analysis to complete work assignments.
• Motor Coordination - Requires hand-eye coordination; finger dexterity and a combination of sitting, standing, climbing, stooping, balancing, kneeling, crouching, crawling; carrying, pushing, pulling lifting materials of 20-30 pounds; may occasionally be required to exert physical effort involving heavier objects and materials with assistance. Must be able transport, lift, set-up and operate various portable office equipment like laptop computers, printers, faxes, scanners, projectors, and audiovisual equipment.
• Visual - Must be able to discriminate colors and shades of colors; ability to read and adjust focus. Must be able to operate a personal motorized vehicle during day and nighttime hours.
• Sensory - Ability to perceive and/or discriminate sounds and smells/odors, depths, and concentrations. Must be able listen effectively in both taking direction and offering assistance. Must be skilled at identifying and eliminating communication challenges by proactively seeking out mutual solutions.
• Environment - Exposure to routine office conditions as well as adverse environmental conditions such as dust, temperature and noise extremes. May be exposed to blood borne pathogens (BBP) and/or other infectious materials (OPIM) when in the clinic environment. Will be exposed to protestors and other individuals acting in opposition to our brand and mission in the external community.
• Travel - Must have a valid driver’s license and insurance with the ability to travel as needed to affiliate sites and for affiliate business.