Medical Assistant I - PD

PIONEERS MEMORIAL HEALTHCARE DISTRICT•El Centro, CA

About The Position

The Medical Assistant I provides paraprofessional medical assistance to patients and supports physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, and nurses in patient care. The role works under the general supervision of a licensed physician, PA, NP, or CNM who is physically present in the treatment facility while assigned duties or procedures are performed. Tasks are carried out within the Medical Assistant’s scope of practice and according to written or oral instructions from the supervising practitioner or authorized designee. The Medical Assistant gathers patient information and medical history, takes vital signs and measurements, performs appropriate health screenings and tests, and accurately records information in the department’s electronic medical record. The role also supports visit-related orders and routine department functions, keeps patient charts prepared, stocks and maintains exam rooms, prepares patients and rooms for examinations and minor procedures, and assists clinicians as directed. Duties include patient instruction, medication administration within scope, procedure clean-up, safe handling of sharps and biological materials, and maintaining logs and inventory checks. The position requires safeguarding patient rights and medical-record integrity, following HIPAA and applicable professional, regulatory, safety, and department standards, and communicating effectively with patients and colleagues. After successfully completing the Scribe program offered through PHMD, the employee may be required to function as a Scribe.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED equivalent.
Completion of a medical assistant program resulting in an approved medical assistant certificate.
Current Healthcare Provider BLS certification.
Current medical assistant certification from an entity approved by the Medical Board of California, with a required expiration date.
Knowledge of medical terminology.
Basic understanding of common diagnostic tests, such as CBC, CMP, and urinalysis.
Understanding of service authorizations, including TARS, Medicare, Medi-Cal Managed Care, PPO, and HMO.
Strong organizational, communication, interpersonal, and customer-service skills.
Ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with patients, coworkers, physicians, NPs/PAs, and other PMHD representatives.
Knowledge of work-safety practices, especially those concerning communicable diseases, Universal Precautions, OSHA, and CLIA.
English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation skills; basic mathematical calculation skills.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely orally and in writing.
Type 20 words per minute.
Ability to walk, bend, kneel, or twist while assisting patients and handling supplies or equipment; perform simple grasping, pushing, pulling, and fine manipulation; lift 25 pounds; and use proper body mechanics.
Manual dexterity and fine motor skills sufficient to operate and handle departmental equipment.
Ability to stand for several hours at a time and climb two flights of stairs.
Visual and auditory acuity sufficient for job tasks, with corrective devices if needed.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual English/Spanish.

Responsibilities

Assist with collecting patients’ personal information, medical, surgical, and social histories, reasons for visits, medication reconciliation, and allergy information.
Take and document vital signs, height, weight, and current pain level.
Perform ordered health screenings and tests, such as EKGs, EEGs, nerve conduction studies, and vision tests, within scope of practice and with required competency.
Accurately document collected data in the department’s electronic medical record.
Use the EMR to support clinician orders and routine department functions, including diagnostic testing, prescription refills, referrals, prescriptions, telephone encounters, document scanning, and appointment scheduling.
Ensure reports, results, and other pertinent information are available in patient charts before scheduled appointments.
Keep exam rooms stocked with appropriate supplies and equipment, conduct inventory checks, and place replenishment orders.
Prepare exam rooms and patients for examinations and minor office procedures; assist clinicians as directed and maintain sterile technique when appropriate or required.
Provide patient instructions according to physician, PA, NP, or CNM orders.
Clean up after examinations and procedures using universal precautions and correctly handle and dispose of sharps, biohazard waste, and laboratory or pathology specimens according to IVHD policies.
Administer medications within the Medical Assistant’s scope of practice and follow the required verification protocol and clinician orders.
Maintain logs and perform required checks as directed by the Department Director, including inventory, pathology, expiration, and refrigerator checks.
Safeguard medical-record integrity and patient rights, and comply with HIPAA, professional and regulatory standards, and IVHD policies and procedures.
Prioritize assigned activities and communicate effectively with the lead and/or director.
Take phone messages and use scanners, printers, and label makers.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Upon successful completion of the PHMD Scribe program, function as a Scribe if required.