PACE Medical Assistant 1 - Vista PACE

Position Summary:

Under direct supervision of the PACE center manager and within established scope of practice, the PACE Medical Assistant assists with coordinating multidisciplinary services, panel management and population health services, including clinical/behavioral health and administrative duties that range from answering telephones, greeting and scheduling participants, and explaining all aspects of procedures/services provided.

The PACE Medical Assistant’s role is to improve health outcomes through scheduling multidisciplinary (preventative, maintenance care and behavioral health) appointments, educating participants, building the medical home between participants and practitioners and enhancing communication and continuity of care; including but not limited to: preparation for examinations (clinical and behavioral health), as directed by San Ysidro Health policies and procedures in a clinic setting.

The PACE Medical Assistant uses a culturally-sensitive approach with all participants - in person, by telephone or video, or web portal.

The PACE Medical Assistant works with the entire care team to increase participant’s access to appointments, services and health care/behavioral health resources, including working with Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Substance Use Disorder/Addiction Medicine as needed, thereby supporting participant’s self-care management goals.

Essential Functions of the Job:

• Team to identify and implement actions for improving population management outcomes.
• Documents pertinent participant information, procedures and participant responses in participants' electronic health records, following established San Ysidro Health guidelines and maintaining participant confidentiality. Documentation expectations include in-person interactions as well as Video and Phone interactions.
• Implements actions for increasing productivity such as: scheduling participants for provider visits, specialty appointments, Dialysis; coordinating any participants needs prior to appointment (including Translation, transportation, companionship, etc.); anticipating and scheduling appointments into open slots for same day appointments;  proactively maintaining full provider schedules; contacting participants who have missed appts to reschedule.
• Performs routine clerical functions as assigned (i.e. screening, data entry, answering phones, scheduling appointments).
  • Screenings include: PHQ-9, GAD-7, DAST-10, AUDIT, informed consent, and others as needed
• Participates as a member of the multi-disciplinary Care Team.
• Organizes or coordinates weekly pre-clinic team huddles and monthly Medical Assistant team meetings to update on progress towards PCMH goals and areas needing improvement.
• Prepares exam rooms and participants for examination and assists provider during examinations as directed.
• Applies principles of aseptic technique and infection control as directed by the Infection Control policy and procedures.
• Cleans and stocks exam rooms appropriately throughout various times of the day: start of the day after each participant, before leaving for lunch, at the end of the day, and as needed.
• Provides service coordination with other disciplines & participants as needed.
• Shares accountability for overall participant health outcomes, working in collaboration with other disciplines as needed.
• Positively impacts participant experience by demonstrating values of Transforming Care including, but not limited to courteous and helpful behavior and a commitment to accuracy.
• Operates to instill confidence in our care and in our facilities to participants, fellow employees, and other stakeholders.
• Ensures verbal or written translation for participants in their preferred language, as necessary.
• Participates and responds, when assigned to clinical emergency codes.
• Functions at highest level of licensing and competency.
• Other duties as assigned. (Immunization, ETC)

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

• Uses a step-by-step process when teaching skills.
• Assist with TARs and Prior Authorizations as needed.
• Uses positive reinforcement and encouragement.
• Uses a flexible approach with a diverse population.
• Attends both mandatory in-service trainings and related meetings, providing feedback to staff on the content of educational programs attended.
• Occasionally coaches participants to address critical issues using motivational interviewing and helps participants develop achievable self-management care plan goals. 
• Performs inhalation treatments, EKG, visual testing, and audiometric testing.
• Prepares and administers immunizations and medications (oral and injections) as directed by physician order and in accordance to SYHealth policy and procedure.
• Autoclave: cleaning, processing, sterilizing and checking of instruments.
• Immunization coordination: oversight and management of clinic’s routine and emergency vaccine plan.
• Works in cooperation with coworkers and supervisory staff.
• Promotes teamwork.
• Communicates effectively with staff and the public.
• Able to use critical thinking to make decisions and problem solve.
• Accepts and uses direction and supervision. 
• Ability and willingness to self-motivate, prioritize, and be agreeable to change processes to improve effectiveness.
• Interacts in a manner which is professional, respectful, positive, helpful, and promotes trust.
• Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with people from various ethnic, socio-economic, educational and experiential backgrounds.

Job Requirements

Education Required:

• Current MA diploma.

Certifications Required:

• Current BLS for Healthcare Provider CPR (American Heart Association

Verbal and Written Skills Required to Perform the Job:

• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.

Technical Knowledge and Skills Required to Perform the Job:

• Demonstrate ability to be culturally sensitive and appropriate in working with others.
• Demonstrate respect for diversity.

Equipment Used:

• Computers, phones, vehicles, copy machines and fax machines etc. Microsoft Office literacy should this include autoclave, EKG, etc.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

• Continuous standing/walking/twisting.
• Occasionally lifts pushes and/or transfers participants.
• Exposed to unpleasant elements (accidents, injuries and illness).
• Travel to SYH and San Diego PACE sites and to meetings as needed.

Universal Requirements:

Pre-employment requirements include I-9, physical, positive background and reference check results, complete application, new hire orientation, pre-employment PPDs. Compliance with all mandated vaccinations and all boosters is a term and condition of employment.

About Us San Ysidro Health is a Federally Qualified Health Care organization committed to providing high quality, compassionate, accessible and affordable healthcare services for the entire family. The organization was founded by seven women in search of medical services for their families and community. Almost 50 years later, San Ysidro Health now provides innovative care to over 108,000 patients through a vast and integrated network of 47 program sites across the county. San Ysidro Health could not serve our patients without the dedication of our passionate and hardworking employees. Apply today and become a part of our mission-driven team! San Ysidro Health has a long-standing commitment to equal employment opportunity for all applicants for employment.  Employment decisions including, but not limited to, those such as employee selection, performance evaluation, administration of benefits, working conditions, employee programs, transfers, position changes, training, disciplinary action, compensation, and separations are made without regard to race, color, religion (including religious dress and grooming), creed, national origin, nationality, citizenship status, domestic partnership status, ancestry, gender, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, civil union status, family status, age, mental or physical disability (including AIDS or HIV-related status), atypical heredity cellular or blood trait of an individual, genetic information or refusal to submit to a genetic test or make available the results of a genetic test, military status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.