Sobering Medical Assistant (Full-Time) (PM Shift) (Irvine, CA)

Phoenix Houses of California • Irvine, CA

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Sobering Medical Assistant provides direct, non-clinical support to individuals accessing Phoenix House Sobering Center services. Reporting to the Facility Manager, this role helps maintain a safe, respectful, trauma-informed, and recovery-oriented environment for people experiencing the effects of alcohol and/or other substance use. The assistant engages clients without judgment, helps meet basic needs, supports safety and comfort, provides recovery-oriented information, and helps connect clients with substance use disorder treatment, behavioral health services, medical care, housing, and other community resources.

Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, the Sobering Medical Assistant collaborates with clinical and medical personnel, recovery staff, case managers, outreach teams, emergency personnel, law enforcement, community organizations, and other service providers to facilitate referrals and warm handoffs. The role requires recognizing changes in a client’s condition and promptly communicating concerns to supervisors or qualified clinical or medical personnel. Client observations must be completed and documented at least every 15 minutes, or more often when required.

This full-time position is based at a facility in Irvine, California. Weekend coverage is required, with open shifts Friday through Tuesday, 2:45 p.m. to 11:15 p.m. The position has no supervisory responsibilities, though the employee may assume shift lead duties when assigned.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Completion of a Medical Assistant training program.
• Documentation of required Medical Assistant training and competency, as applicable to assigned duties.
• Maintain a valid credential during employment.
• Obtain TB test clearance and update it annually.
• Proficiency with MS Office systems.
• Ability to use an electronic healthcare record.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, changing environment.
• Ability to establish and consistently enforce appropriate boundaries with patients.
• Ability to model positive behavior and demeanor.
• Understanding of addiction, co-occurring models, and treatment modalities.
• Understanding of patient development and family systems.
• Strong time management and organizational skills.
• Flexibility, problem-solving ability, self-direction, customer-service orientation, and collaboration skills.
• Ability to engage and develop rapport with patients and families from various backgrounds.
• Commitment and adherence to Phoenix House Mission, Vision, and Values: Integrity, Collaboration, Appreciation, Respect, Excellence, and Forward-Thinking.
• Ability to complete client observations and documentation at least every 15 minutes, or more frequently as required.
• Ability to promptly recognize and communicate changes in client condition.
• Availability for the listed Friday-through-Tuesday shift and required weekend coverage.

Nice To Haves

• Six months of prior experience in healthcare, behavioral health, substance use treatment, or a related field.
• Bilingual Spanish skills.

Responsibilities

• Welcome clients and orient them to the Sobering Center respectfully and professionally.
• Build supportive relationships with clients while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• Provide non-clinical emotional and practical support during clients’ stays.
• Support clients in identifying appropriate next steps after their Sobering Center stay.
• Conduct and document client observations at least every 15 minutes, or more frequently when required by the client’s condition, program protocol, or qualified clinical or medical personnel.
• Observe and record clients’ general presentation, responsiveness, behavior, location, and notable changes in condition during each required observation.
• Complete observations within required timeframes and accurately record them in the designated documentation system.
• Promptly communicate significant changes in clients’ physical, emotional, or behavioral condition or level of consciousness to the appropriate supervisor or qualified personnel.
• Follow established procedures for identifying and responding to medical and behavioral emergencies.
• Assist clients with access to showers, laundry, and other available program amenities.
• Assist with transportation or other discharge arrangements in accordance with program policy.
• Use approved de-escalation techniques to respond to challenging behaviors.
• Complete incident documentation following significant behavioral or safety events.
• Ensure documentation complies with Phoenix House policies and applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
• Communicate relevant information during shift handoffs.
• Attend required staff training and complete it on time in accordance with Phoenix House and state licensing requirements.
• Attend and participate in program and all-staff meetings.
• Adhere to and promote the Phoenix House Mission, Vision, and Values and act as a role model.
• Assume shift lead duties when assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED