Medical Assistant, MA

Open Door Community Health Centers•Eureka, CA

8d•$25 - $29

About The Position

The Medical Assistant (MA) 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 test for MA certification. They receive hands-on training and support from medical assistants and Clinical Coordinators 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 taking and documenting patient histories and vital signs, preparing examination rooms, performing basic clinical procedures and tests, assisting with medications and immunizations, and completing related electronic medical record workflows. The MA Trainee reports directly to the Back Office Manager and is an integral member of the Clinical Services team. There are no supervisory responsibilities. The listed hourly wage range is $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 an additional $0.75 per hour. An additional $0.50 is offered for licensure.

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 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.
Obtain 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 demonstrate knowledge of injection locations and the seven rights of medication administration.

Nice To Haves

Previous healthcare experience is preferred.
Hmong or Spanish language skills, with successful completion of a language exam.

Responsibilities

Provide compassionate assistance to patients in alignment with ODCHC’s Model of Care.
Interview patients, measure age-appropriate vital signs, and accurately record information in the patient chart.
Document patients’ chief complaints, required intake elements, and other basic MA information.
Perform and document orthostatic vital signs in the electronic medical record.
Perform basic autoclave operation, spore checks, autoclave cleaning, and proper instrument wrapping and packaging.
Prepare examination rooms between visits and keep rooms consistently stocked.
Operate equipment for EKGs, oxygen saturation, vision and hearing tests, 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 correct 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 care.
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 tests and quality control according to site-specific laboratory 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.
Keep medical areas clean and disinfected according to standard medical asepsis practices.
Perform chart scrubbing and update the Health Care Maintenance function in the electronic medical record.
Complete 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.
Adhere to the ODCHC attendance policy.
Maintain a basic understanding of and comply with HIPAA, HITECH, and California privacy regulations.
Adhere to the California MA Scope of Practice.
Perform other duties and responsibilities designated by the supervisor.