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:

Sea Mar is a mandatory COVID-19 and flu vaccine organization

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.

As the patient's medical home, it is the care team's responsibility, with the Medical Assistant Apprentice as a central and key member, to ensure that all clinical measures and patient health needs are addressed in the course of the provision of care.

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.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

*Competency evaluations and responsibilities are tested annually in conjunction with the performance evaluation.

• The MA Apprentice is responsible for ensuring that ALL patient clinical measures are being addressed and will do so by doing thorough EHR reviews, working collaboratively with the Chronic Care Coordinators, tracking and documenting all clinical measures/outcomes for patients in EHR.
• Will coordinate and process all patient referrals, for both internal and external services. In addition, will inform patients regarding specialty referral, providing required information to specialist's offices for point of care referral processing, including but not limited to, labs, EHR notes, etc.
• Must be team oriented and work collaboratively with all other care team members to provide the best outcomes for the patients and the organizations.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span.
• Is able to identify and categorize each patient's age-specific grouping of needs and clinical measures such as those for infant, adolescent, adult or geriatric patients.
• Is responsible for the Pre-Huddle preparation and participation in the Care Team Huddle to ensure the collection of all relative clinic forms, quality/HEDIS measures, lab and x-ray reports and review of the Patient Manager and Medication confirmation process and any additional information necessary to be prepared for the patient's visit.
• The MA Apprentice will be responsible for obtaining patient subjective information and vital signs.
• MA will perform duties in the MA – Apprentice scope of Practice, to include administering immunization, administration of eye drops, and applying topical ointments.
• Will ensure documentation of all relevant information, care provided and processes engaged in, in accordance with Sea Mar protocol.
• Prepares exam and procedure rooms by stocking with the appropriate supplies and disinfecting as per established protocol.
• Maintains professional standards and follows the treatment policies and procedures of the organization.
• Respects the cultural diversity of Sea Mar patients and staff.
• Attends regular staff meetings and in service training.
• Ensures quality controls are performed and documented as required. Any area of non- compliance should be reported immediately to the supervisor / manager.
• Assists providers with GYN exams, I & D's, and other minor procedures.
• Ensures quality controls are performed and documented as required.
• Demonstrates clear and concise written and verbal communication skills.
• Reports any abnormal vital signs to the provider immediately.
• Utilizes aseptic (sterile) technique.
• Assists with ordering of department supplies.
• Assists Nursing/MA Supervisors with streamlining and implementing pod/flow systems to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• Ensures that all medical, nursing, health & safety and personnel policies and procedures are being followed and implemented.
• Assists with obtaining laboratory tests and results from previous orders not entered in the electronic health care record.
• Assist with obtaining patient notes and records from hospitals and other doctors' offices.
• Maintains positive collaborative working relationships with co-workers, specialists and community organizations.
• Ensures excellent customer service at each patient visit including escorting each patient to and from the treatment rooms.
• Addresses messages from patients or outside provider as quickly as possible, but no later than 1 business day.
• Will appropriately communicate provider delays and delays in patient flow to the front desk staff, direct supervisor and the patient.
• Ensures proper management of bio-hazardous waste. Assists with pharmacy requests.
• Ensures infection control and universal precautions are followed according to Sea Mar policy.
• Demonstrates proficiency in the nursing parameters of