Medical Assistant-Ambulatory

Alameda Health System•Oakland, CA

About The Position

Under the clinical supervision of a registered nurse or licensed physician or podiatrist, the Medical Assistant provides basic clinical, front-office clerical, and technical support services for clients, patients, and the clinic. The role supports clinicians in patient follow-up and care coordination; collects patient information and specimens; performs clinical tasks, testing, and phlebotomy; maintains examination areas and equipment; and completes clerical and patient-record functions. With required training and clinician authorization, the Medical Assistant may administer specified medications and immunizations, perform skin tests, and provide health coaching. Employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level; duties listed may not all be performed by every employee in the classification.

Requirements

Graduation from a certified or accredited medical assistant school.
Acquire within six months of hire and maintain active Medical Assistant certification issued by one of the following: American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), American Medical Certification Association (AMCA), California Certified Medical Assistant (CCMA), National Center for Competency Testing/Multi-skilled Medical Certification Institute (NCCT/MMCI), or American Medical Technologists (AMT).
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association.
Ability to empathize with vulnerable populations and care for poor and underserved patients.

Nice To Haves

One year of experience in an outpatient setting.

Responsibilities

Assist clinicians with patient follow-up, including inbox management, prescriptions, work slips, and messages; provide patients with information and instructions when authorized by a clinician.
Collaborate with patients and healthcare providers to deliver coordinated, high-quality care.
Collect and preserve specimens using non-invasive techniques, including urine, sputum, and stool specimens, and transport them to the laboratory.
Use population health methods such as patient registries, inreach, outreach, care protocols, and team-based care to improve patient and population outcomes.
After specific training, administer oral, intradermal, intramuscular, and subcutaneous medications; provide inhalation treatments and immunizations; and perform skin tests such as PPD placement.
Greet and escort patients to examination rooms, prepare patients according to procedures, assist clinicians with patient care and examinations or procedures, and ensure proper consents are obtained.
Interview patients and collect basic information about current and previous medical conditions; measure vital signs and other required information.
Maintain, clean, and sterilize examination areas and equipment; stock examination rooms; order supplies and equipment; prepare rooms for the daily clinic schedule; and report equipment replacement needs.
Participate in performance-improvement and quality-control activities.
Perform basic clinical and technical skills specific to the department and simple non-invasive testing.
Perform clerical duties, including answering phones, using computers, registering patients, completing forms, filing medical records, and making appointments on the AHS computer system when appropriate.
Perform phlebotomy, including venipuncture, finger-stick, and heel-stick procedures.
Respond promptly to patient needs and effectively respond to emergencies, including Code Blue, as directed.
Provide patient-centered care responsive to individual patient preferences, needs, and values, and promote excellent service to internal and external customers.
Record information in patient records.
Support plans of care by coordinating consultations, testing, referrals, and authorizations; assist patients with implementing care plans and ensure results are available; direct patients to other departments; provide appropriate self-care and basic pre- and post-operative instructions; participate in orientation of new employees or students as needed; and follow clinician or provider treatment plans.
Transport patients to ancillary services and assist patients with limited mobility, including those using wheelchairs, crutches, or gurneys or experiencing gait impairment.
With training, provide health coaching, goal setting, and action-plan review to patients.