Certified Medical Assistant

Medical Assistant

Salud Para La Gente (Salud) provides high quality, comprehensive and cost-effective healthcare to underserved low-income communities in the Monterey Bay area, including Santa Cruz County and North Monterey County. We began in Watsonville in 1978 as a storefront "free clinic," and with the ever growing need for health services in 1992 became a federally qualified community health center (FQHC). Today we are a primary health care network with 11 clinic sites, over 400 employees, and continue to provide high quality services to patients of all ages.

Salud offers a competitive salary and benefits package and a collaborative culture that values excellence, achievement, innovation and compassion.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Serve as member of care team and customer service representative to bridge communication between the health center, provider, and the patient.
• Maintain and protect patient confidentiality and privacy. Adhere to state and federal privacy laws.
• Ensure patient visits are effective and efficient through Chart Prep: review upcoming appointments to determine if labs, diagnostic tests, referrals and consult reports were completed and obtain results as necessary; review for health maintenance reminders due and that medication contracts are current.
• Prepare exam room for visit. Ensure room is stocked with necessary supplies, instruments and equipment appropriate for the visit; Clean room and sanitize equipment between patients.
• Room patient: Obtain vitals (BMI, blood pressure, pupil assessment, etc.), reason for visit and health history appropriate to the visit type. Complete pre-visit questionnaires or forms. Document in patient chart.
• Perform in-house tests, assessments and evaluations appropriate to the visit type. Document test results in chart and notify provider of values outside of range. Perform in-house imaging or scanning under physician supervision (retinal photography, EKG, NST, etc.). Adhere to in-house lab procedures for CLIA-waived instruments.
• Under clinician order/supervision, prepare and assist/perform in-house treatments and procedures (ear lavage, I&D, etc.)
• Process lab orders for specimens and medical devices appropriate to visit; prepare for pick-up.
• Under clinician order, prepare and administer medications, pharmaceuticals and immunizations according to manufacturers' instructions. Confirm with ordering provider. Provide patient with information about medication/pharmaceutical/immunization. Document in patient chart and complete other documentation/reporting requirements (e.g. PM160, CAIR, etc.). Adhere to storage and transport requirements.
• Prepare radiology orders for outside imaging (x-rays, CT, Mammogram, etc.). If needed, assist patient with scheduling appointment.
• Discharge patient: provide discharge instructions to patient and clarify patient questions. Provide patient with visit summary and schedule follow-up appointment.
• Coordinate the completion and processing of paperwork in a timely manner including but not limited to: disability forms, durable medical equipment authorizations, medication and treatment authorizations, school forms, DMV forms, MMR, etc.
• Conduct patient recall: Follow-up with patients who no-show or cancel important appointments and schedule them back; Schedule post-hospital discharge follow-up appointments; Notify patients due for important tests and visits and schedule appointments. Document communication in patient chart.
• Call in medication refills to pharmacy ordered by provider.
• With provider approval and instruction, notify patient of normal test results.
• Encourage patients to enroll in Mi Salud patient portal.
• Link patient to additional services and supports including but not limited to Community Health Services, group education programs, health coaching and information on community resources.
• Utilize a multidisciplinary approach to resolving problems that affect patient's receipt of timely information and services.
• Anticipate patient needs, deliver services, and respond to patients in a timely, accurate, courteous, respectful and friendly manner to advocate for care that best serves the patient.
• Consistently adhere to and/or exceed Salud's communication guidelines and expectations with co-workers and patients.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

The ideal candidate will embrace our mission to provide high quality health care to patients of all ages, possess excellent communication and problem solving skills, and be familiar with medical terminology and community health care resources.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED
• Medical Assistant Certificate from an accredited vocational school
• National or CA state certification as a medical assistant from organizations approved by Salud**
• Valid CA driver's license and current vehicle insurance
• Current CPR certification
• Must be bilingual English/Spanish
• Strong computer skills using Electronic Medical Records
• Up to date State mandated vaccine status for Health Care workers (including booster)

Desirable Qualifications

• Critical thinking and ability to quickly prioritize tasks
• Effective problem-solver
• Extremely organized and detail-oriented
• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of patient confidentiality and HIPAA rules

Physical Requirements

• Light work that includes moving objects up to 20 pounds.
• Moving from one worksite to another.
• Repeating motions that my include wrists, hands and/or fingers.
• Occasionally remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time.
• Occasionally operating machinery and/or power tools.
• Occasionally being exposed to outdoor elements such as precipitation and wind.
• Occasionally working in tight and confined spaces.

** Individuals hired on or after July 1, 2016, will be placed in the Medical Assistant Pre-Certification job classification and paid at that scale if they are not certified. They will have six (6) months to obtain their national or state certification.

Salary & Benefits

• Medical Assistant Pre-Certification: $21.00 - $25.49 per hour
• Certification Medical Assistant: $23.68 - $29.50 per hour

Employment Type: Full Time, 40-hour work week

Benefits: available to all regular Salud employees working 24+ hours per week. Part-time employees may receive some benefits on a pro-rated basis.

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance Plans
• Paid Time Off (PTO): 19 days per year
• Paid Holidays: 12 per year
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with employer contribution
• Voluntary Long-Term Disability

Additional Information:

• Employees on temporary assignments are eligible for holiday pay and California sick pay, both pro-rated based on hours worked.
• On-call employees are eligible for California sick pay, pro-rated based on hours worked.

Salud is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Salud is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact the Salud Human Resources Department, View phone number on click.appcast.io, and View email address on click.appcast.io].