Medical Assistant - Custody Health Services - Extra Help

County of Santa Clara•Santa Clara, CA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the clinical supervision of a Registered Nurse or licensed Physician/Podiatrist, the Medical Assistant performs specialized, complex, and routine tasks related to patient care and treatment in an ambulatory care setting. The role is with Custody Health Services (CHS), which provides medical, mental health, and dental services to patients in custody at the County’s Main Jail, Elmwood, Juvenile Hall, and James Ranch facilities. Services include routine, urgent, and emergent care, acute and chronic illness care, preventative and specialty care, and acute psychiatric inpatient stabilization. Juvenile Custody Health Services provides integrated medical services to youth housed at Juvenile Hall and James Ranch. Selected candidates must be able to work in a correctional facility and pass a background check for security clearance. CHS is recruiting for sixteen Extra Help positions. Applicants who meet the employment standards will be invited to take an online examination tentatively scheduled for the week of December 14, 2026.

Requirements

Certification as a Medical Assistant, or training and experience required by California law to qualify as a Medical Assistant.
Normally, a high school diploma or equivalent and at least one year of experience in an outpatient medical assisting position involving training and experience in most typical tasks of the position. Completion of an accredited training program and possession of a Medical Assistant Certificate may substitute for the one year of experience.
Knowledge of basic nursing practices, medical assisting skills, and materials and equipment used in outpatient care.
Knowledge of relevant medical terminology, principles of asepsis, verbal and written English communication, basic patient observation, and record-keeping practices.
Knowledge of methods for performing skin tests, tonometry, booth and hand-held audiometry, visual acuity and visual field screening, tympanometry, and other basic outpatient tests.
Knowledge of methods for conducting or assisting patients with basic ambulatory clinic tests and treatments under a medical care provider’s instructions.
Knowledge of methods and materials for teaching patients, under a medical care provider’s instructions, about laboratory and radiology preparation, exercise, hygiene, medication use, diet, and other topics.
Knowledge of laboratory and x-ray report content sufficient to relay information after physician review.
Knowledge of operating, maintaining, and simply calibrating specialized equipment used for tests and procedures in ambulatory care.
Ability to perform routine and complex direct patient care services and assist providers with simple and more difficult treatments.
Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions from physicians, nurses, and other team members.
Ability to communicate effectively in spoken and written English; instruct and assist patients effectively; and maintain complex, accurate records and charts.
Ability to process physician orders, prepare forms and requisitions, and perform routine clerical support work.
Ability to perform routine housekeeping and stocking duties in exam rooms, offices, and other patient care areas.
Ability to measure patients for crutches and teach their use.
Ability to work quickly and accurately with minimal direct supervision, follow instructions, and give clear, concise instructions when necessary.
Ability to maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, patients, and others; screen patients and collect data through observation and report findings to appropriate medical personnel.
Ability to stand and walk for long periods, perform moderate physical exertion including stooping and lifting, and use manual dexterity when handling patients and equipment.
Ability to operate and maintain ambulatory-care-related equipment, learn new procedures and information within a reasonable period, and effectively orient other employees to clinic layout and basic practices and procedures.
Ability to organize and prioritize workload, follow through on assignments, and maintain a patient, understanding, and tolerant attitude under stressful conditions, including illness, death, and other unpleasant aspects of working in a medical setting.
Ability to pass a background check for security clearance and work in a correctional facility.

Responsibilities

Prepare patients for examinations by ensuring they are properly draped, obtaining vital signs, verifying referral information, and taking detailed histories when indicated.
Maintain examination rooms and the nurses’ station, including ordering supplies, transporting specimens, washing and packaging instruments, changing solutions, and keeping the Emergency Tray updated and stocked.
Instruct patients in basic procedures and tests, hygiene, exercise, diet, and other instructions given by the physician; provide educational materials about procedures and diagnoses.
Complete charge sheets and ensure they are submitted for processing; maintain medical record control and ensure records are reviewed and returned to the medical records department.
Assist with office procedures, including monitoring patient flow, telephone screening, maintaining the sample drug list, and ordering supplies.
Assist medical care providers with routine and specialized procedures, medication administration, and tests.
Perform simple procedures, treatments, and tests as instructed by a physician.
Process physician orders, including laboratory, x-ray, and EKG orders; schedule same-day tests and appointments; and prepare required forms and requisitions.
Follow up to ensure laboratory and x-ray reports are received, and relay reports to patients after reviewing physicians instruct the employee to do so.
Attend educational seminars or other professional activities described by AAMA to maintain professional standards.
Draw blood samples when holding Phlebotomy Certification.
Perform other related work and comparable duties as required.