Certified Medical Assistant

Certified Medical Assistant

Be part of an amazing practice supporting a dynamic community balancing professional and personal lifestyle in a gorgeous Northern California location!

Western Sierra is a nonprofit organization that offers accessible, affordable, quality health care in Northern California. We provide comprehensive medical, dental, and behavioral health care and continue to expand our specialty care services, from addiction management to women's health services. We have six health centers across three counties including Nevada, Sierra, and Placer County; a region with about 150,000 residents, located 50 miles northeast of Sacramento.

The region offers many outdoor activities, where residents enjoy the benefits of a rural lifestyle while being close to large cities and airports.

General Description

Under medical provider, RN, or LVN direction and working within the scope of practice as a medical assistant, provides nursing care for clinic patients following established standards and practices. The Medical Assistant directs patient flow, sets a patient-friendly environment in the clinic, and provides direct patient care, assisting the medical provider by preparing the patient for the visit, taking appropriate vital signs, collecting requested specimens, and preparing the patient for medical procedures. The Medical Assistant at the direction of the medical provider, also performs CLIA-waived laboratory testing, EKGs, ear lavage, and gives immunizations and medications. They direct the patients' flow by setting up medication refill requests, sorting and prepping paperwork, and collecting and recording information for the provider.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Provides direct patient care: takes vital signs, observes, and checks for changes in patient's condition, prepares patient for provider visit, recognizes patient's nursing needs, abnormalities or urgent problems and uses or provides appropriate assistance and resources.
• Aids provider during procedures, which may include administering treatments, such as ear lavage, dressing changes, specimen collection etc. Ensures specimens are ready for collection at appropriate time. Uses knowledge of and practices sterile technique and universal precautions during all procedures.
• Ensures accurate administration of medication in the correct form and dosage such as immunizations, injections, and oral medications within the scope of practice and/or utilizes resources available for medication administration. Ensures patients receive education regarding medications, dosage, side effects, purpose of medications and ensures patients understand all necessary information.
• Documents all pertinent information in patient's chart, including information and instructions given to patient related to test results, procedures and medications. Reviews and organizes medical records to ensure it is complete so that information can be brought to the provider's attention.
• Answers patient calls and obtains complete information regarding patient's condition and determines, in consultation with the provider, if patient needs to see provider and in what time frame. Returns patient calls, providing advice to patient as instructed by the provider.
• Coordinates patient flow within the clinic and troubleshoots problems, including ensuring emergent patients can see provider, and communicating patient information to provider.
• Responsible for recognizing signs and symptoms of emergent problems and notifying provider, as necessary. Follows clinic procedures in case of emergency and is knowledgeable and able to perform CPR, and function effectively in a code situation.
• Performs miscellaneous duties to maintain quality care and efficient patient flow for the clinic. These may include maintaining and caring for equipment, ordering, and stocking supplies, answering patient calls, and scheduling as needed for new, follow-up, and consult appointments, ensuring appropriate forms, authorizations and consents are utilized.
• Provides emotional support to patients and families experiencing difficulty and notifies provider of any special problems or concerns. Refers patient or family to appropriate people if questions cannot be answered. Is aware of available resources within Western Sierra Medical Clinic and community.
• Maintains good relations and fosters effective public relations with patients, medical staff and other providers. Demonstrates proper use of verbal and non-verbal communication techniques in dealing with patients, i.e., Direct questions, silence, and touch.
• Uses appropriate tools to communicate with providers and other staff, i.e., Telephone, intercom, and computer system.
• Ensures confidentiality of all patients, family, provider, and other staff information. Only discusses patient information when pertinent to care and only with appropriate personnel. Maintains computer confidentiality as well, by ensuring patients are unable to see screen and computer screens are locked out when not directly attended.
• Follows established policies and procedures, safety, environmental and infection control standards.
• Explains costs related to procedures and lab tests to patients prior to administering or assures that the provider has done so.
• Maintains a clean work environment in personal spaces, staff space and patient spaces such as exam rooms.
• Maintains and cares for office and clinical equipment and supplies. Cleans and sterilizes equipment. Performs quality control procedures.
• Uses appropriate safety procedures for handling, storage, and disposal of biohazard waste.
• Prioritizes work and provides prompt and efficient services.
• Participate in, and support, Quality Assurance measures as appropriate.
• Tracks client data, specialty appointments and diagnostic tests. Follows up with patients who appear behind.
• Attends educational updates.
• Attends annual CPR certification.
• Performs all other related duties as assigned.

This position has an hourly rate of $23-25 per hour.

Minimum Education/Qualifications:

• Requires graduation from a recognized Medical Assisting program or equivalent on the job training.
• Certification as a Medical Assistant is preferred.
• BLS for the Health Care Provider or equivalent CPR class is required within 6 months and to be maintained throughout employment. Preferred at hire date.
• Bilingual (preferably Spanish) preferred.

Typical working conditions: Work will involve frequent contact with patients and other health care professionals. Work may be stressful at times. Interaction with others can be constant and interruptive. Contact will involve dealing with people with illnesses, both acute and chronic. Frequent exposure to potential communicable diseases, toxic substances, medicinal preparations, bodily fluids and other conditions common to a primary care clinic environment.