Medical Assistant-HIV/STD Counselor

APLA Health•Los Angeles, CA

8d•$26 - $30•Onsite

About The Position

The Medical Assistant – HIV/STD Counselor provides patient care services under the direction of a licensed health care provider, including culturally appropriate HIV/STD services for APLA Health & Wellness patients. In collaboration with prevention program staff, the role helps identify people living with HIV who are not linked to medical care and supports their linkage to and continued engagement in HIV primary care. This includes newly diagnosed individuals, people who know their HIV status but have never engaged in care, and people who have dropped out of care. The position performs administrative front-office and clinical back-office duties, including referrals, vital signs, room preparation, medication administration as ordered, phlebotomy, specimen collection, and other technical clinical functions. It also provides HIV/STD counseling, risk assessments, prevention coaching, and rapid HIV testing. This is a full-time, onsite position at APLA Health Health Center Mid Wilshire in Los Angeles, California. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. English/Spanish bilingual ability is required, with a Spanish assessment before an offer. A COVID-19 vaccination or medical/religious exemption is required.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED equivalent.
Successful completion of a Medical Assistant training program at a recognized institution in accordance with standards established by the Medical Board of California.
Complete LA County Division of HIV and STD Programs’ HIV Test Counselor Certification within the first 90 days of hire.
Bilingual English/Spanish ability; a Spanish assessment is required before an offer.
Knowledge of basic medical terminology and patient-care methods and techniques.
Knowledge of technical clinical procedures, including phlebotomy, specimen collection and testing, and administering injections.
Knowledge of routine laboratory procedures and standards for maintaining sterile and sanitary laboratory and examination-room conditions.
Knowledge of medical-record maintenance procedures, workplace safety policies and practices, and HIV/STD infection, treatment, and prevention.
Knowledge of psychosocial issues related to HIV/STD transmission and acquisition, health education and behavior modification, human sexuality, substance abuse, behavior-change strategies, communication, group dynamics, data management, computers, community resources, and the health and social concerns of diverse populations.
Ability to interview patients effectively to obtain medical, social, and sexual histories and provide risk-reduction counseling.
Ability to communicate effectively with people from varied educational, socioeconomic, and cultural backgrounds.
Ability to understand and follow instructions from physicians, mid-level providers, and nurses and apply relevant policies, procedures, and protocols.
Ability to identify and correct unsanitary conditions and maintain sterile environments.
Ability to perform routine medical tests and procedures proficiently and accurately.
Clear oral and written communication skills; ability to operate a computer and standard business software.
Ability to maintain highly confidential personal and medical information in accordance with HIPAA regulations.
Tact, objectivity, sensitivity, and sound judgment in sensitive situations, and ability to maintain effective working relationships.
COVID-19 vaccination or medical/religious exemption required.
Occasional bending, reaching, stooping, lifting, and moving of office materials weighing 25 pounds or less; daily computer use involving entry, viewing, and revision of text and graphics.

Responsibilities

Greet and register patients as needed; assist with forms, answer telephones, schedule appointments, retrieve medical files, and maintain medical records and files.
Provide client-centered pre- and post-test HIV counseling, conduct HIV/STD risk assessments, and provide risk-reduction and prevention coaching and counseling.
Prepare treatment rooms and ensure they are clean and stocked; maintain sanitary and sterile supplies and equipment.
Interview patients to obtain basic medical information and history; measure and record vital signs, height, weight, and BMI; prepare medical records for provider review.
Perform phlebotomy; collect and log urine and other non-invasive specimens; perform urine dipsticks and finger-stick hemoglobin and glucose measurements.
Provide counseling and rapid HIV testing to clients seeking those services.
Maintain monthly equipment logs, including for glucometers, Hemocue devices, and refrigerators.
Develop focused strategies to improve linkage to and ongoing engagement in HIV primary medical care for recently diagnosed people and people who have never engaged in or have dropped out of care.
Assist physicians and nurses with examinations and treatment, including handling instruments, preparing and disinfecting treatment sites, applying and removing dressings and bandages, and administering medications and injections as ordered.
Assist in preparing reports as requested.
Maintain HIV/STD testing records and required documentation for funders and the agency Quality Management Plan.
Carry out patient discharge processes; clarify and provide follow-up care instructions and referrals.
Follow referral-tracking policy to ensure patients receive needed referrals and referrals are properly logged and tracked.
Administer CPR in a medical emergency.
Communicate with clients and patients in English and Spanish as required.
Perform other duties as assigned to meet business needs.