Career Opportunities

Definition:     

Under the supervision of the licensed physician, the Medical Assistant will per­form non-invasive routine technical supportive services of clinic patients' care relating to therapeutic and diagnostic functions, following established procedures, techniques and work schedules. The supervising licensed physician must be physically present in the treatment facility in order for the Medical Assistant to perform their non-invasive technical supportive services. The Medical Assistant also provides a variety of administrative, assistive & supportive clinical and outreach activities. The Medical Assistant cannot evaluate or synthesize data. The Medical Assistant/Team Clerk will also perform a series of clerical functions.

Reports to:    

Direct & Administrative:            RN  Coordinator or designee

Professional/Technical:  RN  Coordinator in consultation with the physician

                                                Varied and depends on Clinical Area

                                                (Women’s Health, Public Health Services & Programs, etc

MA II

            While an entry level position, paid experience in a medical setting as a                            Medical Assistant is desirable, preferably in an ambulatory patient facility. 

OR

MA II - Women’s Health

1. For positions assigned to clinical areas of Women’s Health Services, must:

a.         Possess a minimum of 2080 hours (one full year) of previous paid experience in                         providing prenatal services, and

b.         Pass the Basic Health Worker I written and oral examinations within six months of         employment.

OR

MA II - Family Medicine

1.         For positions assigned to clinical areas of Family Medicine, must:

a.         Demonstrate prior to ninety days of employment, the ability to prepare clinical   equipment and supplies for, and perform sterilization procedures and process relating to equipment and supplies, including the operation of and quality controls on autoclaving equipment; in accordance with approved protocols.

Responsibilities:

1.         Collects and records patient data including height, weight, temperature, pulse, respiration rate and blood pressure and basic information about the present and previous condition.

2.         Collects urine, sputum, semen and stool by noninvasive techniques and preserves specimens for testing.­

3.         Performs venipunc­ture to obtain blood specimens, gives enemas and performs simple lab tests, including urine pregnancy tests, hematocrit and dipstick urine tests after appropriate training and certification.

4.         Applies cold or warm compresses.

5.         Shaves and prepares the patients skin with antiseptic solution and explains the procedure to as necessary.

6.         Administers immunizations and injections per physician's order after a licensed provider verifies the correct medication and dosage after appropriate training and certification.

7.         Performs PPD skin placement after appropriate training and certification.

8.         Provides assistance in the examination and treatment rooms during various procedures and diagnostic examinations by properly positioning and draping the

Patient, adjusting light fixtures and assembling appropriate equipment.

9.         Demonstrates the ability to perform initial health data collection procedures,

Including vision and audiometric testing, history taking, health screening, patient intakes and financial eligibility screening.

10.       Participates in the follow-up and monitoring of patient care services, including (but not limited to) checking medical records for completeness of data, documentation of services, completion and mailing of disability forms, verification of hospital of delivery and mailing of pre-natal records, relaying  telephone messages to staff personnel, and directing patients throughout the clinic as needed.

11.       Implements telephone triage guidelines to properly schedule patients calling in for appointments.            

12.       Operates a computerized patient scheduling system. Collaborates with individual providers in customization of schedules.

13.       Completes routine forms and logs and inputs program specific data into computerized system according to established procedure as required.

14.       Provides basic health information, education, and counseling to patients using established protocols for, but not limited to pregnancy options, tubal ligation and birth control after appropriate training and certification.

15.       Participates in the follow-up and monitoring of patient care services.

16.       Maintains standards of cleanliness, organization and an adequate level of supplies for the exam rooms or assigned work area.

17.       After adequate training, may perform autoclaving of supplies and instruments following manufacturer’s guidelines and established NEVHC procedures.

18.       Participates in assigned staff and other meetings, including quality improvement and case conferences.

19.       Participates in all safety programs which may include assignment to an emergency response team.

20.       Participates in hazardous waste and infection control assignments as required in the health center which may include being designated as an emergency responder to a hazardous substance release or spill; performing infection control data collection, evaluation, reporting and follow-up as specified in the NEVHC clinical health services policy and procedures manual.

21.       Charting - A record shall be made in the patient chart or other record of each technical supportive service performed by the medical assistant, indicating the name, initials or other identifier of the medical assistant, the date and time. A description of the service performed and the name of the physician who gave the Medical Assistant patient-specific authorization to perform the task or who authorized such performance under a patient-specific standing order. “Specific Authorization” means a specific written order prepared by the supervising physician authorizing the procedures to be performed on a patient, which shall be placed in the patients medical record.  

Qualifications:

1.         High school diploma or GED, and completion of a State approved program for Medical Assistants.

2.         Completion of state approved training and certification (Calif. Business & Professional   Code 2069, 2070; and Calif. Code of Regulations 1377, 1377.1) relating to the performance of injections, skin testing, and withdrawal of blood OR Certification as a phlebotomist, issued by the State of California, Department of Health Services, Laboratory Field Services Branch.

3.         Display qualities of dependability and reliability, be willing to accept a variety of tasks, and able to comprehend quickly and follow instructions accurately.

4.         Be able to communicate tactfully and empathetically, with cultural sensitivity; with staff and patients. Fluently bilingual Spanish + English required, oral and written communication skills demonstrated in both languages. Must pass the bilingual oral and written examination within ninety days of employment.

5.         Write and print legibly.

6.         Be well groomed and display mature behavior.

7.         Must possess excellent interpersonal skills.

8.         Must maintain a current Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation certification from the American Heart Association.

9.         Must be willing and able to work a varied and flexible schedule, variable.  

10.       Must maintain or exceed competency levels as established by corporate standards for clinical practice.

11.       Must demonstrate through written and/or oral testing, the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served and has knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span. He or she is able to identify and categorize each patient’s age specific grouping of needs, such as those for infant, adolescent, adult or geriatric patients.

12.       Current CA Driver’s License, valid vehicle insurance, and an available vehicle needed.

13.       If position is located at a School Base Clinic, employee must be willing to submit fingerprints in a manner authorized by the California Department of Justice, with no adverse findings.

 Reports to:    

Direct & Administrative:            RN  Coordinator or designee

Professional/Technical:  RN  Coordinator in consultation with the physician

                                                Varied and depends on Clinical Area

                                                (Women’s Health, Public Health Services & Programs, etc

MA II

            While an entry level position, paid experience in a medical setting as a                            Medical Assistant is desirable, preferably in an ambulatory patient facility.

OR

MA II - Women’s Health

1. For positions assigned to clinical areas of Women’s Health Services, must:

a.         Possess a minimum of 2080 hours (one full year) of previous paid experience in providing prenatal services, and

b.         Pass the Basic Health Worker I written and oral examinations within six months of employment.

OR

MA II - Family Medicine

1.         For positions assigned to clinical areas of Family Medicine, must:

a.         Demonstrate prior to ninety days of employment, the ability to prepare clinical                equipment and supplies for, and perform sterilization procedures and process relating to equipment and supplies, including the operation of and quality controls on autoclaving equipment; in accordance with approved protocols.

Responsibilities:

1.         Collects and records patient data including height, weight, temperature, pulse, respiration rate and blood pressure and basic information about the present and previous condition.

2.         Collects urine, sputum, semen and stool by noninvasive techniques and preserves specimens for testing.­

3.         Performs venipunc­ture to obtain blood specimens, gives enemas and performs simple lab tests, including urine pregnancy tests, hematocrit and dipstick urine tests after appropriate training and certification.

4.         Applies cold or warm compresses.

5.         Shaves and prepares the patients skin with antiseptic solution and explains the procedure to as necessary.

6.         Administers immunizations and injections per physician's order after a licensed provider verifies the correct medication and dosage after appropriate training and certification.

7.         Performs PPD skin placement after appropriate training and certification.

8.         Provides assistance in the examination and treatment rooms during various procedures and diagnostic examinations by properly positioning and draping the Patient, adjusting light fixtures and assembling appropriate equipment.

9.         Demonstrates the ability to perform initial health data collection procedures, including vision and audiometric testing, history taking, health screening, patient intakes and financial eligibility screening.

10.       Participates in the follow-up and monitoring of patient care services, including (but not limited to) checking medical records for completeness of data, documentation of services, completion and mailing of disability forms, verification of hospital of delivery and mailing of pre-natal records, relaying  telephone messages to staff personnel, and directing patients throughout the clinic as needed.

11.       Implements telephone triage guidelines to properly schedule patients calling in for appointments.            

12.       Operates a computerized patient scheduling system. Collaborates with individual providers in customization of schedules.

13.       Completes routine forms and logs and inputs program specific data into computerized system according to established procedure as required.

14.       Provides basic health information, education, and counseling to patients using established protocols for, but not limited to pregnancy options, tubal ligation and birth control after appropriate training and certification.

15.       Participates in the follow-up and monitoring of patient care services.

16.       Maintains standards of cleanliness, organization and an adequate level of supplies for the exam rooms or assigned work area.

17.       After adequate training, may perform autoclaving of supplies and instruments following manufacturer’s guidelines and established NEVHC procedures.

18.       Participates in assigned staff and other meetings, including quality improvement and case            conferences.

19.       Participates in all safety programs which may include assignment to an emergency

            response team.

20.       Participates in hazardous waste and infection control assignments as required in the health center which may include being designated as an emergency responder to a hazardous substance release or spill; performing infection control data collection, evaluation, reporting and follow-up as specified in the NEVHC clinical health services policy and procedures manual.

21.       Charting - A record shall be made in the patient chart or other record of each technical supportive service performed by the medical assistant, indicating the name, initials or other identifier of the medical assistant, the date and time. A description of the service performed and the name of the physician who gave the Medical Assistant patient-specific authorization to perform the task or who authorized such performance under a patient-specific standing order. “Specific Authorization” means a specific written order prepared by the supervising physician authorizing the procedures to be performed on a patient, which shall be placed in the patients medical record.