Medical Assistant I

Open Door Community Health Centers•Arcata, CA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Medical Assistant (MA) Trainee is an on the job training opportunity for employees that are interested in becoming an MA but have no past experience. The expectation is that they will complete a training program and become eligible to test for MA Certification. The MA Trainees are trained on how to assist in examination and treatment of patients under direction of primary care provider and/or registered nurse. Advocates for patients and assists in the furtherance of their care as directed within the California MA Scope of Practice. This position provides hands on training with support from MAs and Clinical Coordinators. Our medical assistants hourly wage ranges are listed below. All new hires will start at the base wage for the position. MA certification and other requirements may be required to be hired at a higher step on our MA ladder. MA Trainee - $25.00 to $28.87 MA I - $28.00 to $32.35 MA II - $29.50 to $34.10 MA III-$32.00 to $42.00 Hmong and Spanish speakers who successfully pass a language exam will receive a minimum of .75 cents added to their wage.

Requirements

Ability to consistently and accurately chart patient information.
Ability to promote effective communication between the patient and the primary care provider.
Ability and desire to work as a member of a team in order to enhance patient and staff experiences.
Excellent interpersonal skills.
Ability to establish constructive working relationships with all levels of management and employees in a staff of varied and diverse backgrounds.
Ability to handle difficult or confrontational situations in a calm, consistent, and equitable manner.
Effective communication skills; written and verbal.
Ability to complete routine paperwork and write professional, quality correspondence.
Basic computer skills; internet, Word, and email.
Exercises sound and responsible judgment.
High school diploma or GED.
CPR Certification within 90 days of hire.
Injection Certification obtained by six months of employment.
Knowledgeable of all injection locations (i.e. SQ, IM, ID), the seven rights of administration: “The right medication, the right dosage, the right route, the right site, the right patient, right documentation and right to refuse”.

Nice To Haves

Previous healthcare experience preferred.
This is a training position and it is expected that the Medical Assistant Trainee will complete the Medical Assistant Apprentice Program and pass their MA Certification Exam within 1 year of employment. At which time MA Trainees will be eligible to progress on the MA Ladder based on competency.

Responsibilities

Delivers compassionate assistance to patients in alignment with ODCHC’s Model of Care
Interview patients, measure vital signs such as pulse rate, temperature, blood pressure, weight, and height, using the age appropriate tools (auscultator, B/P) to ensure accurate results and record information on patients’ chart.
Chart patients’ chief complaint and able to chart required elements of pt intake, and other basic M.A. charting duties outlined herein.
Perform orthostatic vital signs and document appropriately in EMR.
Basic performance of autoclaving, spore check, cleaning the autoclave, and the proper wrapping/packaging of instruments.
Prepare exam rooms between patient visits and stock patient exam rooms consistently.
Operate electrocardiograph (EKG), oxygen saturation monitors, vision and hearing tests, ear and eye irrigations, peak flow, nebulizer, and sphygmomanometer.
Administer all medications/injections and immunizations per ODCHC policy and as directed by practitioner/registered nurse, using the proper calculations of doses and the seven rights of administration of all medications prescribed.
Set-up, assist and clean up on minor procedures such as pap, wet mount, quick strep, mole removal, minor lacerations, etc.
Set up and assist in age appropriate well child exams/CHDP including immunizations and accurate documentation of information
Follow guidelines for universal precautions including hand washing and use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as appropriate.
Perform HCG, Micral and Rapid Strep and QC according to site specific lab guidelines and proficiently obtain specimens and cultures for the lab.
Obtain diabetic labs at the beginning of patient’s visit (i.e. Dermal stick, HGB, A1c, blood sugar, urine micral) per DM HCM protocol.
Schedule appointments and follow up visits as per clinic procedure.
Keep medical areas clean and properly disinfected following standard practices of medical asepsis, including exam rooms, hallways, and other areas.
Perform chart scrubbing and updating of the Health Care Maintenance function (HCM) in EMR.
Perform EPIC workflows for MA duties including standard intake, telephone call documentation, prepping/routing refill encounters, PHQ, MAR, Meaningful Use and managing staff messages from the provider in basket.
Adhere to ODCHC attendance policy
Maintain a basic understanding of and adherence to HIPAA, HITECH and CA regulations on privacy.
Adhere to the basic MA Scope of Practice in California.
Other duties and responsibilities as designated by supervisor.