SLH Medical Assistant-Ambulatory

Alameda Health System•San Leandro, CA

About The Position

Under the clinical supervision of a registered nurse or licensed physician/podiatrist, the Medical Assistant provides basic clinical, front-office clerical, and technical support services for patients and the clinic. The role supports coordinated, patient-centered care for patients, including vulnerable and underserved populations, and follows clinicians’ treatment plans and instructions. Duties may vary by employee and department; other related duties at an equivalent level may be assigned. The Medical Assistant assists clinicians with patient follow-up and care coordination; gathers patient information and vital signs; prepares patients and examination rooms; supports examinations and procedures; collects specimens and performs phlebotomy; and, with specific training, administers certain medications, injections, immunizations, and skin tests. The position also performs clerical and documentation tasks, maintains equipment and supplies, responds to patient needs and emergencies, and contributes to quality-improvement activities. The role requires graduation from a certified or accredited medical assistant school. Medical Assistant certification from an accepted certifying organization must be acquired within six months of hire and maintained, along with current Basic Life Support certification issued by the American Heart Association. One year of outpatient experience is preferred. The stated pay range is $35.13–$41.57 per hour. Eligible positions are offered a comprehensive benefits program.

Requirements

Graduation from a certified or accredited medical assistant school.
Acquire within six months of hire and maintain active Medical Assistant certification issued by AAMA, AMCA, California Certified Medical Assistant (CCMA), NCCT/MMCI, or 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 information or instructions with clinician authorization.
Collaborate with patients and healthcare providers to support 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 approaches, including patient registries, in-reach, outreach, care protocols, and team-based care.
After specific training, administer oral medications, intradermal, intramuscular, and subcutaneous injections, and immunizations; perform skin tests such as PPD placement.
Greet and escort patients, prepare them for care, assist clinicians with examinations and procedures, and ensure required consents are obtained.
Interview patients and collect basic current and previous medical information; measure vital signs and other information required by the department.
Maintain examination areas; clean, maintain, and sterilize equipment; stock 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 functions such as 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 to emergencies, including Code Blue, as directed.
Provide respectful, responsive, patient-centered care and promote excellent service for internal and external customers.
Record information in patient records.
Support and coordinate the plan of care, including consultations, testing, referrals, authorizations, and availability of results; assist patients with implementation of the plan and provide appropriate care instructions and directions to other departments.
Transport patients to ancillary services and assist patients with limited mobility, including those using wheelchairs, crutches, or gurneys or having gait impairment.
With training, provide health coaching, goal setting, and action-plan review.
Perform other related duties as assigned.