Medical Assistant Certified

Sea Mar Community Health Centers, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) founded in 1978, is a community-based organization committed to providing quality, comprehensive health, human, housing, educational and cultural services to diverse communities, specializing in service to Latinos in Washington State. Sea Mar proudly serves all persons without regard to race, ethnicity, immigration status, gender, or sexual orientation, and regardless of ability to pay for services. Sea Mar's network of services includes more than 90 medical, dental, and behavioral health clinics and a wide variety of nutritional, social, and educational services. We are recruiting for the following position:

Sea Mar is a mandatory COVID-19 and flu vaccine organization

As a mission-driven organization, the core values of, and the services offered at Sea Mar are based on the belief that everyone deserves to be respectfully treated in a way that preserves dignity and enhances self-worth. Sea Mar is an advocate for its clients and aims to achieve industry-leading, client-centered, culturally-aware services. 

Sea Mar employees serve as an extension of this mission and demonstrate their commitment to an excellent client experience by:

• Understanding and empathizing with client needs
• Surpassing client expectations
• Demonstrating a high level of integrity
• Exhibiting compassion and commitment
• Advocating for social justice
• Taking pride in individual work as well as that of the team
• Continually learning to stay current with industry standards, best practices and     technology

As a Sea Mar employee, the individual in this position commits to adherence to these values to their utmost ability and endeavors to strengthen and embody this mission daily.

Position Summary

The Medical Assistant is a key member of the patient care team, working with the medical provider and other members of the care team to ensure the patient receives patient-centered primary care services. These services are provided in a timely, courteous and professional manner at all times.  The MA is the initial point of contact for addressing the patients’ primary care needs.  One of the primary responsibilities of the MA is to ensure that all identified patient-relevant clinical quality measures are being addressed with each patient as a matter of routine during the delivery of quality care and services.  As the patient’s medical home, it is the care team’s responsibility, with the MA as the central and key member functioning as the hub of the team, to ensure that all clinical quality measures and patient health needs are addressed in the course of the provision of care. The MA will seek clinical guidance from the provider, who functions as the clinical champion, when needed and according to protocol.    

The MA will work collaboratively, efficiently and effectively with other members of the care team, such as the provider, Care Coordinators, On-Site Integration Specialists, Health Educators, Dieticians, and Behavioral Health Specialists. The goal of this interdisciplinary approach is to ensure improved health outcomes, smooth patient flow throughout the care process, and ultimately a good experience for the patient. The MA will also collaborate with members of the Care Management team to ensure that patients who are high risk receive any additional support they may need up to and including transition of care. 

Responsibilitiesincludebutarenotlimited to the following: tracking and documentation of all clinical measures and outcomes (Clinical Quality Measures, Meaningful Use, etc.); using established protocols and practice, MA will complete all provider referrals for each patient, administerinjectionsanddistributeoralmedicationsunderphysicians’order,assist the medicalproviderwithchartingofficevisits,ensuringcommunicationanddocumentation for comprehensivepatientcarecoordination,performingvenipuncture,followingprotocolinroomingandexitingpatientsandother duties asassigned by thesupervisor. The MA may have other dutiesassignedsuch asperforming QI audits; participation in organizational committees, and providing shadowing opportunities for new staff; etc. 

*Competency evaluations and responsibilities will be tested annually in conjunction with the performance evaluation.

Other duties may be assigned.

Duties and Responsibilities

Essential duties and responsibilities:

• The MA is the person who is responsible for ensuring that ALL patient clinical measures are being addressed and will do so by doing thorough EHR reviews, tracking and documenting all clinical measures/outcomes for patients in EHR.   This includes seeing 18/21 patients per day with an assigned provider as well as reaching out to patients who have care gaps.
• Will coordinate and process all patient referrals, for both internal and external services.  In managing patient referrals, the MA will work closely with Referral Coordinators when/if any patient referrals are being handled by them as per established protocols and processes.
• Must be team oriented and workcollaborativelywithallcareteam members to providethebestoutcomesforthepatientsandthe organization based on the Patient-Centered Medical Home model of care.
• Demonstratesknowledgeandskillsnecessaryto provide care appropriatetothe age of thepatientsserved.
• Demonstratesknowledge oftheprinciples of growthanddevelopmentoverthe lifespan.
• Must be able to assist providers in serving and average of 18/21 patients per day (based on provider type). 
• Is able to identifyandcategorize each patient’sage-specificgrouping of needs and clinical measures such as thoseforinfant,adolescent, adult or geriatricpatients.
• Is able to identify the patient’s clinical needs according to diagnosis and follow clinical guideline according to protocol.
• Is responsible for the Pre-Huddlepreparationandparticipationinthe Care TeamHuddle to ensurethe collection of allrelativeclinicforms, quality measures,labandx-ray reports andreview of the PatientManagerandMedicationconfirmation process andany additionalinformationnecessarytobe preparedforthe patient’svisit.
• Prepares thepatientfortheirvisitwiththeCare Team.The MA willberesponsibleforobtainingpatient subjective informationand vital signs.
• Will ensure documentation of all relevant information, care provided and processes engaged in, inaccordance withSea Mar protocol.
• Prepares examandprocedureroomsby stocking with the appropriatesuppliesanddisinfectingas per established protocol.
• Maintainsprofessionalstandardsandfollowsthe treatmentpoliciesandprocedures of theorganization. Thiswillrequirethe MA to administerIM,SubQandintradermalinjections.He/she willalsoadministeroral,rectal,inhaledmedication as orderedby theprovider.
• Ensuresthatmedicationadministrationisdocumentedaccordingto protocol.
• Responsible for maintaining and reconciling medication and immunization data/list.
• Maintainsprofessionalstandardsandfollowsthetreatmentpoliciesandprocedures of theorganization
• Respectsthe culturaldiversity of SeaMarpatientsandstaff.
• Attendsregularstaff meetingsandinservicetraining.
• Ensuresmedicationstorage,maintenance,dispensingandwastelogs are maintained inaccordance withSeaMarpoliciesandprocedures.Any area of non-compliance shouldbereportedimmediatelyto thesupervisormanager.
• Ensuresqualitycontrols are performedanddocumented as required.Anyarea of non-complianceshouldbereportedimmediately to the supervisor / manager.
• AssistsproviderswithGYNexams, I & D’s, andotherminorprocedures.
• Demonstratesclearandconcisewrittenandverbalcommunication skills.
• Reports any abnormal vital signs tothe providerimmediately.
• Utilizesaseptic(sterile)technique.
• Assistswithordering of departmentsupplies.
• AssistsNursing/MASupervisorswithstreamliningandimplementingpod/flowsystemstoimproveefficiencyandeffectiveness.
• Ensures thatallmedical,nursing,health & safetyandpersonnelpoliciesandprocedures are beingfollowedandimplemented.
• Completes all point of care referralsforpatientsincludingspecialtycare,carecoordinationand other services. Informs patientsregardingspecialtyreferral,providing required informationtospecialist’soffices for point of carereferralprocessing, including but not limited to, labs, EHR notes, etc.
• Assistswithobtaininglaboratorytestsandresults.
• Assistwithobtainingpatient notes andrecordsfromhospitalsand other provider offices.
• Maintains positivecollaborative workingrelationshipswithco-workers,specialistsandcommunityorganizations.
• Utilizes AIDET to ensure excellent customerservice at each patientvisitincludingescortingeachpatient to and from the treatmentrooms.
• Incoming clinical phone calls will be sent to the MA Supervisor, Nurse Supervisor or Nurse Manager.  Any calls referred to you will be resolved in one business day.
• Will appropriately and professionally communicate providerdelaysanddelaysinpatientflowtothe frontdeskstaff,directsupervisorand the patient.
• Ensurepropermanagement of bio-hazardous waste.
• Assistswithpharmacy requests.
• Ensuresinfectioncontrolandstandard precautionsare followedaccordingtoSea Mar policy.
• Demonstrates proficiency inthenursingparameters of theElectronicHealthRecordandPracticeManagementApplicationprograms.
• Demonstratesknowledge,proficiencyandcompliance withregulatoryrequirementsincluding,but not limitedto:JointCommission,NPSG,Department ofHealth, Clinical Quality Measures, PCMH, QI and other contractualobligations.
• If works as a Scribe, the MA will demonstrate proficiency as a scribe.
• Maintain patient confidentiality and privacy at all times.
• Will ensure compliance with all HIPAA regulations at all times.
• Will perform other duties as assigned. 

Personnel and Performance Metrics

• Adhere to schedule and be prepared to provide services by 8am each day
• Provider services using AIDET skills at all times
• Complete quality care gaps for 100% of patients treated
• Provider services to a minimum of ten patients a day
• Strongly support Follow My Health enrollment
• Close chart notes within 24 hours of service
• Must be able to support an average of 21 patient visits a day for a full days schedule per provider (MD) and an average of 18 patient visits per day per provider (ARNP/PA).

Desired Qualities and Qualifications

• Must have graduated from an approved MA-C program and have a current Medical Assistant Certified license issued from Washington State Department of Health. Being Bilingual English/Spanish is strongly desired.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.

• Must demonstrate a strong work ethic, honesty and dependability.
• Must demonstrate and consistently practice strong customer service skills.
• Must have the physical health, emotional stability and personality suited to meet the physical, mental, emotional and social needs of the population served.
• Must be able to interact sensitively and effectively with people of diverse backgrounds.
• Must possess excellent problem-solving abilities.
• Must be able to perform each essential duty of the position diligently, accurately and timely.
• Ambulatory care experience preferred.
• Ability to read and write proficiently in English.
• Ability to speak and interpret in Spanish preferred.
• Must demonstrate clear and concise written and verbal communication.
• Must be able to calculate medical dosages (i.e. mg to ml).
• Must be able to anticipate the needs of patients and providers.
• Must be able to analyze and present data for reports.
• Must be able to problem solve creatively in a variety of situations and circumstances.
• Must be computer literate and proficient in software including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Will be expected to learn and be proficient in SharePoint, Arcadia, OneHealth Portal, HealthPlanFinder, electronic health records, EKG monitors, retinal cameras and other technical resources as needed.
• Must be fully proficient with Sea Mar’s patient management and electronic health records systems before end of probationary period.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations, and Medical Screening

• Must have a Certificate of Completion from a Medical Assistant program.
• Previous experience in Family Medicine preferred.
• Must be an MA-Certified or possess an MA-Interim License and pass the exam within the 90 day probationary period.
• Must adhere to the Sea Mar Employee Health Screening Policy.
• This position must obtain Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR within 90 days of hire date and is required to maintain current BLS CPR throughout employment.

Additional Requirements

• Pre-hire and annual employee health screening required
• Annual influenza vaccine required.  Only exception is for employees with a medical or religious exemption approved by Administration.  Employees with an approved medical or religious exemption must wear a mask at all time during the flu season.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.  The Medical Assistant may be required to share workspace with other staff members.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, use hands to finger, handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. There is potential for exposure to communicable diseases and blood-borne pathogens.

Conditions of Employment

The person in this position must be honest, exhibit a strong work ethic and able to maintain the understanding, physical health, emotional stability and personality suited to meet the physical, mental, emotional and social needs of the population served.

Ensure that all medical policies and procedures are being followed and implemented. An MA-Certified maybe asked to travel to another Sea Mar sites due to staffing and patient needs.

The employee must sign a confidentiality policy each year which covers all patient related information.

The Medical Assistant-Certified must follow the AIDET model of customer service to ensure that patients, peers and visitors have an exceptional experience during their encounter with him/her.

Hourly - Hourly Plan, 24.09 USD Hourly

What We Offer:

Sea Mar offers talented and motivated people the opportunity to work in a dynamic and growing community health organization. Working at Sea Mar Community Health Centers is more than just a job, it’s a fulfilling career with opportunity for advancement. The fringe benefits surpass most companies. For example, Full-time employees working 30 hours or more, receive an excellent benefit package of:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Prescription coverage
• Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• EAP (Employee Assistance Program)
• Paid-time-off starting at 24 days per year + 10 paid Holidays.
• We also offer 401(k)/Retirement options and an exciting opportunity to work in a culturally diverse environment. 

Sea Mar is an equal opportunity employer.

Please visit our website to learn more about us at www.seamar.org. You may also apply thru our Career page at this link.