Lead Medical Assistant

Lead 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 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 and 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.

We are seeking a dynamic, organized and detail-oriented Lead Medical Assistant to lead in assisting in the clinic's back office, including patient medical intake, assisting practitioners in medical procedures, minor triage, sterilizing equipment, maintaining stocked exam rooms, and stabilizing clinic flow. Is responsible for testing and reporting results of lab specimens and maintaining the lab medical area. Provides leadership services to staff in areas of assessments, referrals and triage.

In addition to the roles and responsibilities of the MA, the Lead MA is also responsible for the following:

• Monitor patient flow to facilitate patient access. Monitors clinic schedule and works with front office staff and providers to assist walk-in patients.
• Ensure sufficient inventory of medical supplies and medications are available and on-hand; Order, receive inventory and stock medical supplies; Maintain tracking and inventory logs; Monthly, review inventory for expired medications: flag and remove from inventory for proper disposal; reorder as necessary.
• Monthly, review content of emergency cart for expired medications; Flag and remove from inventory for proper disposal; in coordination with Nurse Manager; reorder as necessary; Test other emergency equipment monthly to ensure in good working order and maintain corresponding logs.
• As needed, provides back-up to Lead Vaccine MA including: taking physical inventory, order, receiving and storing vaccines according to VFC protocol and standards; Daily, monitor and record fridge/freezer temperatures and adhere to VFC protocol for out-of-range temperatures; monitor immunization expiration dates; Rotate vaccine inventory and ensure not expired vaccines are kept; Take immediate action if temperatures are outside acceptable ranges; In coordination with the Vaccine Coordinator, implement the emergency vaccines management plan, if necessary.
• Ensures equipment is in good working order. Perform controls and tests on CLIA-waived point of care tests and autoclaves, per test/equipment guidelines. Maintain corresponding logs. Report any issues to supervisor.
• Provides functional supervision and training to MAs with regards to workflow, systems and protocols, as directed by supervisor.
• Participates and contributes to continuous quality improvement activities through meetings, and the development of clinic workflows and protocols.
• Ensure a productive work environment and achievement of goals through strategies and practices in line with the CARE fundamentals of communication.

The ideal candidate will embrace our mission to provide high quality health care to patients of all ages, This position requires the ability to administer immunizations; draw blood; use the microscope; provide sympathetic care; keep accurate and neat records; understand and carry out oral and written directions; administer medications and injections; maintain confidentiality, communicate effectively and respectfully with people from different racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds and lifestyles, demonstrating a knowledge of and sensitivity to their needs; maintain effective working relationships with agency staff, clients, other community agencies, and the public; learn clinic routines; and willingness to work with HIV infected clients.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED, Associate's degree preferred.
• Medical Assistant certificate and two years' experience working as a Medical Assistant
• Proficient in administering immunizations and with the CA immunization registry
• Fluent bilingual Spanish/English required; bicultural preferred.
• Current CPR certification.
• Valid CA drivers' license and current vehicle insurance; must have the ability to travel between sites.

Physical Demands:

• Standing, walking, sitting, typing, reaching, bending, moving and/or lifting up to 50 pounds.

Salary & Benefits

Salary Range: $27.35 - $34.08 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: 13.5 per year
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with employer contribution
• Voluntary Long-Term Disability
• Continuing Medical Education
• Eligibility for the State Loan Reimbursement Program (SLRP) through HRSA.

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.