Medical Assistant Apprentice

Sea Mar Community Health Centers • Seattle, WA

16d • $21 • Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

• 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.
• Must have a current CPR card.
• Must be able to be licensed as an MA-C once endorsed by the organization.
• Possess and maintain CPR certification.
• Must adhere to the Sea Mar Employee Health Screening Policy.
• Pre-hire and annual employee health screening required
• Annual influenza vaccine required. Only exception is for employees with a medical or religious exemption approved by Administration. Employees with an approved medical or religious exemption must wear a mask at all time during the flu season.
• Full Covid-19 vaccination is required.

Nice To Haves

• The ability to speak and interpret in Spanish and/or Russian is preferred and may be required depending upon the needs of the clinic.
• Previous experience in Family Medicine is preferred.

Responsibilities

• tracking and documentation of all clinical measures and outcomes (HEDIS, UDS, etc.)
• 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
• doing thorough EHR reviews
• working collaboratively with the Chronic Care Coordinators
• coordinate and process all patient referrals, for both internal and external services
• 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.
• 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
• obtaining patient subjective information and vital signs
• administering immunization, administration of eye drops, and applying topical ointments
• ensure documentation of all relevant information, care provided and processes engaged in, in accordance with Sea Mar protocol
• prepare exam and procedure rooms by stocking with the appropriate supplies and disinfecting as per established protocol
• attend regular staff meetings and in service training
• ensure quality controls are performed and documented as required
• assist providers with GYN exams, I & D’s, and other minor procedures
• demonstrate clear and concise written and verbal communication skills
• report any abnormal vital signs to the provider immediately
• utilize aseptic (sterile) technique
• assist with ordering of department supplies
• assist Nursing/MA Supervisors with streamlining and implementing pod/flow systems to improve efficiency and effectiveness
• ensure that all medical, nursing, health & safety and personnel policies and procedures are being followed and implemented
• assist 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
• maintain positive collaborative working relationships with co-workers, specialists and community organizations
• ensure excellent customer service at each patient visit including escorting each patient to and from the treatment rooms
• address messages from patients or outside provider as quickly as possible, but no later than 1 business day
• appropriately communicate provider delays and delays in patient flow to the front desk staff, direct supervisor and the patient
• ensure proper management of bio-hazardous waste
• assist with pharmacy requests
• ensure infection control and universal precautions are followed according to Sea Mar policy
• demonstrate proficiency in the nursing parameters of the Electronic Health Record and Practice Management Application programs
• demonstrate knowledge, proficiency and compliance with regulatory requirements including, but not limited to: Joint Commission, NPSG, Department of Health, HEDIS, PCMH, QI and other contractual obligations
• demonstrate proficiency as the scribe for the provider
• maintain patient confidentiality and privacy at all times
• perform other duties as assigned

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Prescription coverage
• Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• EAP (Employee Assistance Program)
• Paid-time-off starting at 27 days per year + 10 paid Holidays.
• We also offer 401(k)/Retirement options and an exciting opportunity to work in a culturally diverse environment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees