Medical Assistant Apprentice

Medical Assistant Apprenticeship Program

Sea Mar Community Health Centers, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) founded in 1978, is a community-based organization committed to providing quality, comprehensive health, human, housing, educational and cultural services to diverse communities, specializing in service to Latinos in Washington State. Sea Mar proudly serves all persons without regard to race, ethnicity, immigration status, gender, or sexual orientation, and regardless of ability to pay for services. Sea Mar's network of services includes more than 90 medical, dental, and behavioral health clinics and a wide variety of nutritional, social, and educational services.

We are recruiting for the following position:

Position Summary The Medical Assistant Apprenticeship Program is a 12 month program that prepares students to take the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) test through the National Health Career Association. It has been approved by the State of Washington as an equivalent to an MA-C program at a community or technical college.

The program:

• Is a registered apprenticeship program through the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries.
• Is governed by an Apprenticeship Committee of 50% employer and 50% MA representatives.
• Is administered through the Washington Association of Community & Migrant Health Centers.
• Trains students in the specific skills required to achieve the MA-C credential, as outlined in RCW 18.360 and WAC 246-827.
• Curriculum is approved by the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.

As a part of the MA Apprenticeship Program, Apprentices will:

• Complete 2000 hours of on-the-job training (paid) with the support and guidance of an experienced one-on-one MA coach
• Complete 364 hours of supplemental coursework (unpaid). There are two online courses:
• Technical Skills for Medical Assistants
• Role of Medical Assistants in the Patient-Centered Medical Home model
• Attend 3 in-person lab days with an expert instructor to practice and demonstrate mastery of hands-on technical skills.
• Log and report on-the-job hours and skill practices as required.

The MA Apprentice is a key member of the patient care team, working with the medical provider and other members of the care team to ensure the patient receives current and ongoing primary care services in a timely, courteous and professional manner at all times.

The MA Apprentice will work collaboratively, efficiently and effectively with other members of the care team, such as the provider, On-site Integration Specialists, Care Coordinators, Health Educators, Dieticians, and Behavioral Health Specialists. The care team work collaboratively to ensure improved health outcomes, smooth patient flow throughout the care process, and ultimately a good experience for the patient.

The MA Apprentice responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: tracking and documentation of all clinical measures and outcomes (HEDIS, UDS, etc.); using established protocols and practice, will complete all provider referrals for each patient, administer immunizations under standing orders or physicians' order, assisting the medical provider with charting office visits, ensuring communication and documentation for comprehensive patient care coordination, following protocol in rooming and exiting patients and other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

The MA Apprentice may have other duties assigned such as performing QI audits; participation in organizational committees, and providing shadowing opportunities for new staff; etc.

Duties and Responsibilities As a mission-driven organization, the core values of, and the services offered at Sea Mar are based on the belief that everyone deserves to be respectfully treated in a way that preserves dignity and enhances self-worth. Sea Mar is an advocate for its clients and aims to achieve industry-leading, client-centered, culturally-aware services.

Sea Mar employees serve as an extension of this mission and demonstrate their commitment to an excellent client experience by:

• Understanding and empathizing with client needs
• Surpassing client expectations
• Demonstrating a high level of integrity
• Exhibiting compassion and commitment
• Advocating for social justice
• Taking pride in individual work as well as that of the team
• Continually learning to stay current with industry standards, best practices and technology

As a Sea Mar employee, the individual in this position commits to adherence to these values to their utmost ability and endeavors to strengthen and embody this mission daily.

The person in this position must be honest, exhibit a strong work ethic and able to maintain the understanding, physical health, emotional stability and personality suited to meet the physical, mental, emotional and social needs of the population served.

Ensure that all medical policies and procedures are being followed and implemented. An MA Apprentice maybe asked to travel to another Sea Mar sites due to staffing and patient needs.

The employee must sign a confidentiality policy each year which covers all patient related information.

The MA Apprentice must follow the AIDET model of customer service to ensure that patients, peers and visitors have an exceptional experience during their encounter with him/her.

Qualifications

Meet the following minimum qualifications:

• Proficient in reading, writing and speaking English.
• High school education or equivalent.
• At least 18 years of age.
• Able to perform the duties of an MA Apprentice operating at the highest scope of work, in the judgment of the employer.
• Able to provide proof of 7.0 HIV/AIDS training from WA State DOH-approved training provider.
• Able to provide proof of up-to-date First Aid and CPR training.

Have the time and resources to devote to the online coursework, lab days, and documentation associated with the program. Specific requirements include:

• Ability to spend at least 5 hours per week on online coursework for a full year. This time is unpaid and outside of normal work hours. (As an employer, you can choose to allow your employees to complete online coursework on the clock, at your discretion, but this is not an expectation).
• Access to a computer with (1) an Internet connection; (2) a current web browser; (3) capability to watch videos and play sound (e.g., Adobe Flash player or a similar program); (4) capability to open and read PDF documents (e.g., Adobe Acrobat Reader or a similar program); and (5) capability to download and save documents, either on a hard drive or a thumb drive.
• Ability to attend up to four (4) in-person lab skills/review days within a three-hour drive of their workplace. These will be scheduled on Saturdays.
• Ability to attend a one day testing session within a three-hour drive of their workplace.

• Have the ability to track own work hours and skill practice using forms provided and submit for approval as required.

Understand and agree to the terms of the Registered Apprenticeship Program. Namely:

• The apprenticeship wage progression structure (i.e., Apprentices start at a fraction of an MA-C starting wage and their wage increases based on completion of a set number of hours of on-the- job training. This is outlined in the document "Wage Progression Structure."
• The Apprenticeship Committee has final say over who is accepted as an Apprentice, wage progression, approval of work reports, status changes, complaints, disciplinary procedures, program graduation, etc. The composition and duties of the Apprenticeship Committee are outlined in Program Standards.

Have the ability to work well with a Coach and as a member of a primary care team. This includes the ability to:

• Take direction and receive coaching.
• Ask questions and ask for help as appropriate.
• Apply learned technical and interpersonal skills in a clinical setting.
• Try out new roles as directed.
• Attempt unfamiliar and possibly uncomfortable tasks, with appropriate supervision.
• Interact with patients in a professional and caring manner.

Be genuinely interested in and committed to a career as a Certified Medical Assistant. This registered Apprenticeship program is a unique route to obtaining MA-C certification. It is completed in lieu of community or technical college course, but it should be approached with the same level of commitment and professionalism. Depending on the arrangement with the employer, the apprentice may be asked to pay all or part of the $3000 training fee; approximately $300 for textbooks; travel to the kick-off event, lab days and testing; and the certification testing fee. An

Sea Mar Community Health Centers