Medical Assistant - Infectious Disease

Position Summary:

Under the direct supervision of the Registered Nurse (RN) Manager, the Medical Assistant (MA) is responsible for completing the clinical visit workflow for various patient populations; answering patient phone calls; responding to portal messages; following up on referrals; completing point of care testing; administering medications and vaccines. The MA assists providers with in-clinic procedures and completes accurate and timely documentation in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) system. As an integral member of the care team, the MA participates in the team-based, patient-centered model of care by contributing to quality improvement initiatives and the practice transformation meetings. The MA may be assigned additional projects to support grant-funded objectives. The MA will maintain client confidentiality at all levels.

Essential Functions of the Job:

• Implements the patient care workflow by completing MA tasks, including but not limited to obtaining vital signs, documenting the patient’s chief complaint, completing the medication reconciliation, and administering medications as ordered by the provider.
• Completes daily chart prep to prepare for the follow-up medical appointments by reviewing the plan of care in the provider chart note; displays the ability to identify health screenings that are due, reviews referral orders, gathers specialty provider chart notes, and identifies vaccine opportunities.
• Obtains specimens and completes point of care tests, including urine pregnancy test, Hemoglobin A1c, and dipstick urinalysis. For patient self-collect lab samples, displays the knowledge and ability to gather the appropriate supplies, label the specimens and deliver them to clinic laboratory department in a timely manner.
• As required by the department and profession, documents and maintains accurate and timely charting of patient care interactions in the EHR.
• Participates and contributes during department care team meetings as part of the team-based, patient-centered model of care and supports projects.
• Collaborates with the referrals department to gather information about the status of specialty referrals and shares updates regularly with patients and providers.
• Answers telephone calls and EHR portal messages to assist patients with appointment scheduling, referral questions, and medication refill requests.
• Collaborates with internal and external team members/partners. Communicates patient social support needs with the Coordinated Services Team, provides the required medical information to the San Diego Public Health Department, and fosters teamwork with ancillary departments.
• Supports clinical team efforts to maintain a healthy productivity rate by rescheduling patients with a missed appointment and completing outreach calls to patients that are due for routine follow-up visits. 
• Completes the electronic prior authorization process for medications; tracks the status and communicates updates with the patient regularly.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

Education Required (minimum level of education):

• High School Diploma/GED

Certifications/Licenses Required:

• Medical Assistant Certification
• Basic Life Support certification (American Heart Association)

Experience Required (minimum level of experience):

• 1 year of experience working as a Medical Assistant in an outpatient community healthcare setting.

Experience Preferred:

• 1 year of work or lived experience in the following communities: people living with HIV, people experiencing substance use disorder, or people with mental health conditions. 
• Knowledge of STI/HIV/Infectious Disease transmission and prevention.
• Knowledge about the health disparities and the social determinants of health that commonly impact the underserved communities.
• Knowledge of HEDIS healthcare performance measures.

Verbal and Written Skills Required to Perform the Job:

• Bilingual (English/Spanish)
• Ability to read, write, comprehend, and communicate basic medical information
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to provide empathetic care

Technical Knowledge and Skills Required to Perform the Job:

• Competence in Microsoft Office Suite programs
• Ability to prioritize, meet deadlines and exercise appropriate judgement
• Ability to work with and support various patient populations, inspiring a sense of trust and confidence in all patients

Equipment Used:

Computer, phone, cell phone, copy machine, fax machine

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

• Continuous standing/walking/twisting
• Occasionally lifting, pushing and/or transferring of patients
• May be required to work evenings
• Reliable transportation is necessary for traveling to work at various San Ysidro Health clinic sites

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.