Medical Assistant

Open Door Community Health Centers•Eureka, CA

About The Position

The Medical Assistant (MA) Trainee position is an on-the-job training opportunity for employees who want to become medical assistants but have no prior experience. Trainees are expected to complete a training program and become eligible to take the MA Certification Exam. The role provides hands-on training, supported by Medical Assistants and Clinical Coordinators, in assisting with patient examinations and treatment under the direction of a primary care provider and/or registered nurse. The trainee advocates for patients and supports their care within the California MA Scope of Practice. The position involves patient intake and charting, room preparation, clinical testing and procedures, medication administration as directed, scheduling, maintaining clean medical areas, and completing electronic medical record workflows. Trainees are expected to complete the Medical Assistant Apprentice Program and pass the certification exam within one year of employment. CPR certification is required within 90 days of hire, and injection certification must be obtained within six months of employment. The role reports directly to the Back Office Manager and is part of the Clinical Services team. It has no supervisory responsibilities. Physical activities include frequent standing, walking, sitting, communication, handling medical equipment, and lifting or moving items up to 40 pounds occasionally. The role may also require occasional kneeling, crouching, stooping, crawling, and physically assisting patients.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Ability to consistently and accurately chart patient information.
Ability to promote effective communication between patients and primary care providers.
Ability and desire to work as a team member to enhance patient and staff experiences.
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to establish constructive working relationships across diverse backgrounds and organizational levels.
Ability to handle difficult or confrontational situations calmly, consistently, and equitably.
Effective written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to complete routine paperwork and write professional, quality correspondence.
Basic computer skills, including internet, Word, and email.
Sound and responsible judgment.
CPR certification within 90 days of hire.
Complete the Medical Assistant Apprentice Program and pass the MA Certification Exam within one year of employment.
Obtain injection certification within six months of employment and know injection locations and the seven rights of medication administration.
Ability to meet the stated vision requirements, including close vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.
Ability to perform the stated physical activities, including frequent standing and walking, prolonged sitting, handling medical equipment, and occasional lifting or moving up to 40 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Previous healthcare experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide compassionate patient assistance in alignment with ODCHC’s Model of Care.
Interview patients, measure and record vital signs, and chart chief complaints and required patient-intake information.
Perform orthostatic vital signs and document them in the electronic medical record.
Perform basic autoclave duties, including spore checks, cleaning, and proper wrapping and packaging of instruments.
Prepare and stock examination rooms between patient visits.
Operate clinical equipment and conduct tests, including EKG, oxygen saturation monitoring, vision and hearing tests, ear and eye irrigations, peak flow, nebulizer, and sphygmomanometer use.
Administer medications, injections, and immunizations according to ODCHC policy and practitioner or registered-nurse direction, applying proper dose calculations and the seven rights of medication administration.
Set up, assist with, and clean up after minor procedures, including Pap tests, wet mounts, rapid strep tests, mole removals, and minor laceration procedures.
Set up and assist with age-appropriate well-child exams and CHDP, including immunizations and accurate documentation.
Follow universal precautions, including handwashing and appropriate use of personal protective equipment.
Perform HCG, Micral, and rapid strep testing and quality control according to site-specific lab guidelines; obtain specimens and cultures for the laboratory.
Obtain diabetic labs at the beginning of patient visits according to the DM HCM protocol.
Schedule appointments and follow-up visits according to clinic procedures.
Clean and disinfect medical areas, including exam rooms and hallways, using standard medical asepsis practices.
Perform chart scrubbing and update the Health Care Maintenance function in the electronic medical record.
Perform EPIC workflows for MA duties, including standard intake, telephone-call documentation, refill encounter preparation and routing, PHQ, MAR, Meaningful Use, and management of provider in-basket staff messages.
Follow the ODCHC attendance policy and maintain a basic understanding of and adherence to HIPAA, HITECH, California privacy regulations, and the California MA Scope of Practice.
Complete other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor.