Medical Assistant

Committed to Our Community in the Heart of the Redwoods. Removing Barriers to Healthcare Access

FeCHC Ferndale Community Health Center, FoCHC Fortuna Community Health CenterMedical Assistant I (MA I) provides clinical and administrative support to primary care providers, registered nurses, and other health professionals working collaboratively in a patient-centered, care team setting. Medical Assistant I assists in examination and treatment of patients under the direction of primary care provider and/or registered nurse. Medical Assistant I advocates for patients and assists in the progression of their care as directed within the California MA Scope of Practice. Open Door Community Health Centers (ODCHC) offers tiered MA positions that provide pathways to learn, grow, and develop within the organization.

A MA I possesses basic understanding and demonstration of MA tasks and scope of practice with support of additional training as outlined in the essential duties and responsibilities below.

Our medical assistant hourly wage ranges are listed below. All new hires will start at the base wage for the position. MA certification and other requirements may be required to be hired at a higher step on our MA ladder.

• MA I - $28.00 to $32.35
• MA II - $29.50 to $34.10
• MA III-$32.00 to $37.00

Hmong and Spanish speakers who successfully pass a language exam will receive a minimum of .75 cents added to their wage. 

Additional .50 for licensure.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

(Able to demonstrate by end of probationary period)

• Delivers compassionate assistance to patients in alignment with ODCHC’s Model of Care
• Obtains and records patient medical histories, vitals, test results, and other information for the medical chart while maintaining strict confidentiality in alignment with HIPAA, HITECH, and California regulations.
• Prepares patients for the visit and provider examination by performing preliminary screenings, vital signs, measurements, and other MA rooming and charting duties.
• Performs chart preparation and Robust Confirmation Calls before scheduled appointments to ensure the patient visit is smooth and efficient.
• Follows Epic EMR workflows for MA duties including standard rooming intake, telephone call documentation, prepping/routing refill encounters, and managing message inboxes and pools.
• Properly conducts MA procedures in alignment with ODCHC guidelines, such as electrocardiograph (ECG), respiratory testing, vision and hearing tests, ear irrigations, peak flow, nebulizer, etc.
• Administers all medications and immunizations per ODCHC policy as directed by licensed staff (practitioner, registered nurse) using the seven rights of administration.
• Sets-up, assists and cleans up for minor procedures in clinic such as pap smears, mole removals, minor lacerations, incision, and drainage (I&Ds), etc.
• Properly obtains specimens and performs point-of-care testing according to laboratory protocols.
• Stocks and cleans exam rooms to remove clutter and ensure patient safety.
• Properly disposes of sharps, bio-hazard waste, pharmaceuticals, etc.
• Follows standard practices of medical asepsis to clean and disinfect exam rooms and other patient facing areas of the clinic.
• Ensures the proper sterilization and packaging of instruments, as well as the proper maintenance of the autoclave machine.
• Follows guidelines for universal precautions including hand washing and use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as appropriate.
• Schedules appointments and follow up visits per health center procedure.
• Adhere to the basic MA Scope of Practice in California as outlined in ODCHC policy.
• Floats to other clinics when needed to provide coverage when requested or minimum staffing levels not met.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned by supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPECTATIONS:

• Basic knowledge of the MA Scope of Practice in California.
• Knowledgeable of all injection routes (i.e. SQ, IM, ID) and the seven rights of administration
• Ability to consistently and accurately chart patient information.
• Ability to promote effective communication between the patient and the primary care provider.
• Ability and desire to work as a member of a team in order to enhance patient and staff experiences.
• Excellent interpersonal skills. Ability to establish constructive working relationships with all levels of management and employees in a staff of varied and diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to handle difficult or confrontational situations in a calm, consistent, and equitable manner.
• Effective communication skills; written and verbal.
• Ability to complete routine paperwork and write professional, quality correspondence.
• Basic computer skills; internet, Word, and email.
• Exercises sound and responsible judgment.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• High School diploma or GED
• Completion of accredited Medical Assistant training program OR six months or more related experience and/or training as a medical assistant (required).
• State or National Certification or has successfully challenged the state or national board examination (optional).

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

• Injection certificate (required by 6 months of employment)
• Current CPR Certification
• Certificate of Completion of Accredited Medical Assistant Program OR evidence of equivalent MA education
• Medical Assistant Certification (optional)
• Venipuncture/dermal puncture certification (optional)

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None.

SUPERVISION AND SUPPORT: The MA I reports directly to the Back Office Manager and is an integral member of the Clinical Services team.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical requirements described are representative of those needed to successfully perform the essential duties of the position. Reasonable accommodation will be made to allow otherwise qualified candidates to perform these functions.

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus. Vision adequate to read medication labels, electronic and written materials, medical equipment readings & results.
• The employee is frequently required to communicate (talk and hear) in person and by phone, at normal volumes.
• Activities include sitting, standing, and walking. These activities, to various degrees, extend through all work activities. Standing and walking are performed frequently throughout the work shift.
• Activities require the employee to continuously and repetitively sit for long periods of time.
• Activities frequently include lifting and/or moving up to 10 pounds and occasionally lifting and/or move up to 40 pounds.
• Activities frequently require the employee to use hands & fingers, handle or feel objects or tools, manipulate & operate standard medical equipment including, but not limited to, exam tables, sphygmomanometers, syringes, and stadiometers. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms. Kneeling, crouching, stooping, and crawling are required on an occasional basis.
• Activities require the employee to physically assist patients on an occasional basis, when stepping up onto scales, exam tables, to and from a seated position or into positions required for specific procedures.
• May need to possess a valid driver's license and reliable transportation for delivery.