MEDICAL ASSISTANT - SPECIALTY SERVICES (CHIRO) (Full-Time)

MISSION

The mission of Ravenswood Family Health Network (RFHN) is to improve the health of the community by providing culturally sensitive, integrated primary and preventative health care to all, regardless of ability to pay or immigration status, and collaborating with community partners to address the social determinants of health.

POSITION Summary

Under general supervision of the Specialty Services Supervisor, operating in a multi-disciplinary team environment, the Specialty Services Medical Assistant has a primary function as a Medical Assistant providing clinical support in the Chiropractic department for the service of patients as member of a care team that includes medical physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, health coaches and other staff. Individual tasks include rooming patients, taking vital signs, verifying chief concerns, obtaining medical histories, collecting specimens for lab tests, anticipating the needs of patients and other team members, documenting all patient interactions in the electronic health record, and other duties as assigned related to the comfort, care, and medical treatment of patients of the clinic.

The secondary function is providing clinical support in the service of patients as a Medical Assistant for Podiatry and Optometry Technician for Optometry services. Individual tasks include rooming patients, taking vital signs, verifying chief concerns, obtaining medical histories, collecting specimens for lab tests, anticipating the needs of patients and other team members, documenting all patient interactions in the electronic health record (EHR), and other duties as assigned related to the comfort, care, and medical treatment of patients of the clinic.

This position is a member of the care team consisting of medical physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, health coaches, and other staff that supports PCMH standards and practices. They will work primarily at the Bay Road, East Palo Alto location, and will be available to provide coverage when deemed necessary by the supervisor, including but not limited to covering for staff shortages, for vacations or sick calls at any of the other RFHN locations.

Duties and Responsibilities

To be performed in accordance with RFHN Policies and Procedures

Medical Assistant Duties

• Prepares electronic record for documenting patient visits.
• Collects vital signs (temperature, BP, pulse, respiration rate, etc.) per protocols.
• Collects and documents chief complaint, screening questions, health histories, medications, and other appropriate information based on the patient's presenting concerns.
• Assists providers during exams and/or medical procedures.
• Follows through on provider's instructions; ensures that all of the patient's needs have been met.
• Performs routine injections.
• Collects and handles laboratory specimens and performs simple lab tests according to standard procedures.
• Completes lab requisitions and vaccine logs, documents lab results, and other paperwork accurately.
• Completes in-basket tasks.
• Completes inventory for medications and medical supplies.
• Collects patient surveys.

Optometry Technician Duties

• Prepares the patient and assists the clinician with exams and procedures when needed.
• Performs pre-testing including but not limited to: auto-refraction, auto-keratometry, and auto-tonometry.
• Takes detailed patient histories, tests visual acuity, stereo acuity, and color vision, measures blood pressure, and performs lensometry.
• Performs frame selection, fittings, orders, adjustments, and repairs of prescription eyewear.
• Performs ocular fundus photography, visual field testing, and optical coherence tomography (OCT).
• Assists in the performance of face to face or telephone triage according to triage protocols, including documentation of work performed; consults with the supervising practitioner and informs the clinician of the advice/ instructions given or actions taken.
• Administers eye drops.
• Initiates specialty referrals including sending necessary provider documentation, imaging and test results.
• Participates in the morning huddle in order to plan care with the clinician for patients on the day's schedule.
• Assumes responsibility for and delegates daily tasks as delineated in "Responsibility for Daily Tasks Summary".

General Specialty Services Duties

• Prepares and cleans the exam rooms, cleans instruments, and stocks rooms in between patient visits.
• Performs end of shift tasks for room closure and equipment.
• Alerts Central Supply or Team leader to needed supplies/equipment as appropriate.
• Reports any safety hazards.
• Follows up on referrals on a monthly basis, consults with referrals staff, and manages EHR database to accurately reflect referrals status of patients.
• Initiates appropriate emergency measures when patients are admitted for urgent care.
• Assures efficient patient flow by ongoing assessment of clinician schedule and working with other staff to minimize patient waiting time, and notifies patients regularly regarding wait times.
• Assists peers and others on the care team to ensure timely, optimum patient care.
• Follows RFHN standards for Standard Precautions when working with potentially infectious materials (blood or body fluids).
• Maintains patient call list to fill cancelled and no-show appointments.
• Schedules patients appropriately.
• Answers incoming phone calls and reviews voicemail messages for the Specialty Services Department.
• Maintains patient confidentiality at all times.
• Provides excellent customer service in a sensitive and non-judgmental manner.
• Projects a professional image at all times, including adherence to dress code and standards of communication.
• Participates in the quality improvement process as requested or assigned.
• Fosters an environment that promotes trust and cooperation among all staff.
• Maintains confidentiality of all patient and employee information according to HIPAA on a need to know basis.
• Attends all RFHN mandatory meetings and other meetings as requested.
• Promotes courteous and professional behavior in all interactions with the public and the staff.
• Other duties as assigned and requested.

QUALIFICATIONS

• RFHN will provide on-the-job training in optometric care for highly motivated candidates.
• High School diploma or GED required.
• Graduate from a Medical Assisting program required.
• Bilingual/biliterate Spanish/English is highly desirable.
• Basic Life Support certification required.
• Minimum one year of back-office Medical Assistant experience in a primary care or community clinic setting, in addition to externship training, is strongly preferred.
• Computer literate in a Windows-based environment.
• Detail-oriented with a high degree of accuracy.
• Ability to memorize, retain, and recall pertinent skills and information.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team.
• Ability to travel to other clinic sites when needed.
• Up to date with COVID-19 vaccines per current CDC guidelines strongly recommended.

HIGHLY DESIRABLE SKILLS

• English proficiency, including ability to read, write, understand, and spell medical terminology correctly.
• Experience in Family Medicine or Internal Medicine.
• Knowledge and experience working with electronic charting and scheduling systems.
• Knowledge of Standard Precautions.
• Knowledge of standard optometric care and procedures.
• Certified Paraoptometric Training (CPOT) certification.

COMPETENCIES

• Diversity & Ethics: Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; Inspires trust of others; Works with integrity and upholds organizational values.
• Attendance/Punctuality: Is consistently at work and on time as scheduled; Plans to ensure work responsibilities are covered when absent; Arrives at meetings and appointments prepared and on time.
• Customer Service: Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance, and meets commitments.
• Professionalism: Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.
• Problem Solving: Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Interpersonal Skills: Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others ideas and tries new things.
• Written Communication: Writes clearly and informatively; Communicates change effectively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Able to read and interpret written information.
• Teamwork: Balances team and individual responsibilities; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Asks for and offers help; Supports everyones efforts to succeed.
• Organizational Support: Follows policies and procedures; Observes reporting chain to escalate issues for resolution; Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; Supports organizations goals and values; Is accurate and thorough;
• Judgment: Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.
• Adaptability: Adapts to changes in the work environment; Prioritizes and manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Dependability: Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.
• Safety and Security: Follows safety and security procedures; Completes health and safety training as scheduled; Competes TB annual screening; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.

The pay range for this position is $24.00 to $32.00 per hour. However, the final base pay will be determined upon a number of individualized factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, job-related knowledge, skills, experience, education and certification levels, and departmental budget. We also consider internal equity with our current employees when making final offers.

Ravenswood Family Health Network is an equal opportunity employer.