Medical Assistant Jobs in Santa Cruz, AZ

About The Position

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• High school diploma, GED equivalency certificate, or state or territorial proficiency certificate.
• One year of experience equivalent to the GS-05 level, including medical terminology; appointment and consult scheduling; interpreting and verifying provider orders; Microsoft Office; no-show entry; electronic wait-list monitoring; clinic visit preparation; appointment monitoring; encounter form completion; demographics and insurance verification; transfers; and basic eligibility, copay, and pre-authorization support.
• Ability to collaborate, communicate, set priorities, and organize work to meet deadlines while complying with established processes, policies, and regulations.
• Ability to communicate tactfully and effectively orally and in writing, including preparing reports and presenting data.
• Advanced knowledge of the technical health care process as it relates to access to care.
• Advanced knowledge of clinic management, including independently using reference sources, making decisions, and helping teams resolve problems in complex systems.
• Advanced knowledge of policies and procedures affecting patient flow, patient care, and revenue processes.
• Advanced knowledge of medical terminology.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Successful completion of required application steps, including an online assessment; background/security investigation and online onboarding are also required.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period.
• No education substitution for experience is available at the GS-06 grade level.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in a fast-paced ambulatory care setting, preferably within a PACT team.
• Strong patient registration, scheduling, and care-coordination skills across multiple providers or services.
• Proficiency with VA electronic health record systems such as CPRS, VistA, or Cerner, and consult management.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills, with a focus on patient advocacy and satisfaction.
• Knowledge of medical terminology and ability to interpret and process provider orders.
• Experience handling sensitive patient information in compliance with HIPAA and VA policies.
• Ability to multitask and manage time effectively.
• Ability to adapt to new initiatives and rapidly changing health care environments.
• Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team to support patient flow and access.

Responsibilities

• Greet patients and check them in and out for appointments.
• Schedule, cancel, and reschedule appointments; interpret and verify provider orders and consults in accordance with VHA scheduling directives and guidelines.
• Monitor clinic setup and appointment availability, making adjustments as needed to support clinic needs.
• Communicate and coordinate with patients, interdisciplinary teams, VA medical centers, community providers, contract vendors, affiliates, and other agencies.
• Facilitate and process secure messaging between patients and care teams, and notify patients of normal laboratory results.
• Develop and manage tracking systems for follow-up care, including consults and tests.
• Participate in team huddles and meetings to manage, plan, problem-solve, and follow up on patient care.
• Set priorities and deadlines and adjust work sequencing to meet team and patient needs.
• Reinforce care plans and self-help solutions with patients as appropriate, and enter relevant information into the electronic record.
• Monitor pre-appointment requirements and information to ensure readiness for patient visits and procedures.
• Monitor orders, consults, and recalls for accuracy; resolve issues and schedule or disposition them as necessary.
• Recommend changes to clinic procedures based on current administrative guidelines.
• Coordinate administrative duties for Choice, PACT, BHIP, specialty care, and community care activities; obtain documentation and process consults through completion.
• Provide patients with instructions for test preparation, diets, and procedural requirements specific to procedures and community providers.
• Evaluate patient information and clinic schedule lists to identify patients requiring immediate appointments and inform team members about shared patients.
• Support patient-safety standards by correctly identifying patients and adhering to responsibilities for responding to medical emergencies.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the MSA Supervisor or Lead MSA.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered based on higher or unique qualifications or VA needs.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including annual leave, sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Eligible employees may receive credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, in connection with birth, adoption, or foster placement.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to family-income and other eligibility limits.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting, and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.