Medical Assistant

Open Door Community Health Centers•Fortuna, CA

About The Position

The Medical Assistant Trainee is an on-the-job training opportunity for employees interested in becoming a medical assistant who have no prior experience. Trainees are expected to complete a training program and become eligible to take the MA certification exam. They receive hands-on training and support from medical assistants and Clinical Coordinators while learning to assist with patient examinations and treatment under the direction of a primary care provider and/or registered nurse. The role advocates for patients and supports their care within the California MA Scope of Practice. The position includes patient intake and charting, measuring vital signs, preparing exam rooms, operating clinical equipment, administering medications and immunizations as directed, assisting with minor procedures, performing point-of-care tests and specimen collection, scheduling appointments, and completing electronic medical record workflows. The MA Trainee reports directly to the Back Office Manager and is an integral member of the Clinical Services team. No supervisory responsibilities are assigned. The employer lists hourly wage ranges of $25.00–$28.87 for MA Trainee, $28.00–$32.35 for MA I, and $29.50–$34.10 for MA II; new hires start at the base wage for the position. Certification and other requirements may qualify hires for a higher step. Hmong and Spanish speakers who pass a language exam receive at least $0.75 added to their wage, with an additional $0.50 for licensure.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Ability to consistently and accurately chart patient information.
Ability to promote effective communication between patients and the primary care provider.
Ability and desire to work as part of a team to enhance patient and staff experiences.
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build constructive working relationships with management and employees from varied and diverse backgrounds.
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.
Knowledge of injection locations (subcutaneous, intramuscular, and intradermal) and the seven rights of medication administration: right medication, dosage, route, site, patient, documentation, and refusal.
Ability to meet the described physical demands, with reasonable accommodation available for otherwise qualified candidates.

Nice To Haves

Previous healthcare experience is preferred.
Hmong or Spanish language ability may qualify for a wage differential upon successfully passing a language exam.

Responsibilities

Deliver compassionate assistance to patients in alignment with ODCHC’s Model of Care.
Interview patients, measure and record vital signs using age-appropriate tools, and document information in patient charts.
Document chief complaints, required patient-intake elements, orthostatic vital signs, and other basic MA information in the medical record.
Perform basic autoclave procedures, including spore checks, cleaning, and proper wrapping and packaging of instruments.
Prepare exam rooms between visits and keep them consistently stocked.
Operate electrocardiographs (EKGs), oxygen saturation monitors, vision and hearing testing equipment, and equipment used for ear and eye irrigations, peak flow, nebulizer treatments, and blood-pressure measurement.
Administer medications, injections, and immunizations according to ODCHC policy and practitioner or registered nurse direction, using 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/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 laboratory specimens and cultures proficiently.
Obtain diabetic labs at the beginning of patient visits according to the diabetes HCM protocol, including dermal stick, hemoglobin, A1c, blood sugar, and urine Micral tests.
Schedule appointments and follow-up visits according to clinic procedures.
Keep medical areas clean and disinfected according to standard medical asepsis practices, including exam rooms, hallways, and other areas.
Perform chart scrubbing and update the Health Care Maintenance function in the EMR.
Perform EPIC workflows for MA duties, including standard intake, telephone-call documentation, preparing and routing refill encounters, PHQ, MAR, Meaningful Use, and managing provider-inbasket staff messages.
Follow ODCHC attendance policy and maintain a basic understanding of and adherence to HIPAA, HITECH, and California privacy regulations and the California MA Scope of Practice.
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.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as designated by the supervisor.