Medical Assistant I

Job Title: Medical Assistant I
Location: Sunnyvale, CA 94087
Duration: 13 weeks
Shift/Schedule: Days, 8-hour shifts, 40 hours/week, 5 days/week
Pay: Up to $28/hour

Job Summary:
Medical Assistant I is the entry, developmental and first working level of the Medical Assistant Job Family. Under general supervision in an outpatient clinical setting, the medical assistant performs a variety of routine administrative, clerical and technical supportive services to assist medical and nursing staff in the examination and treatment of patients. Assists with direct patient care procedures and related tasks and performs medical procedures of a routine nature, as dictated by established clinical procedures. Responsible for clinical duties such as taking vital signs, giving injections, transporting medications, performing simple diagnostic tests, collecting specimens, drawing blood, sterilizing and cleaning equipment and maintaining examination rooms and supplies. Works under the clinical supervision of a licensed physician or as delegated by the physician for patient care activities, and under the general direction of the designated manager/supervisor. May also be responsible for some administrative duties.

Job Responsibilities:

• Escorts patient to exam room, measures and records vital signs, documents medication, and collects medication information.
• Prepares patient examination rooms prior to the visit to ensure that proper equipment and supplies are set-up for examinations, required procedures, and/or treatments. Cleans exam room following visits.
• Performs procedures, such as phlebotomy, venipuncture, and sterile dressing changes, following established procedures and completed competencies. Prepares patient for examination or treatment and performs routine screening tests.
• Assists physicians/providers with sterile and non-sterile procedure set-ups, patient procedures and examinations. Administers medication by intradermal, subcutaneous, or intramuscular injections, performs skin tests, venipunctures and other technical supportive services upon the specific authorization and supervision of a licensed physician or nurse. Administers medication following approved procedures and only after verification of medication and dosage by a licensed person.
• Provides patient education materials.
• Performs routine examination and treatment procedures which may include: applying and removing bandages and dressings, removing sutures and casts, cleaning wounds and applying medications and dressings, performing ear lavage, preparing patients for examinations, and disinfecting treatment sites per specialty approved competencies.
• Pick up medications from Pharmacy; receive medication deliveries from Pharmacy. Per department-specific policy, may place medications into secure storage, including the correct storage location and temperature; return medications to Pharmacy or prepare medications for return to Pharmacy via courier. Processes requests for prescription refills according to established practice.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the need for secure storage of medications.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the correct temperature at which to store drugs, how to identify the correct storage temperature for individual drugs, the procedure to follow for monitoring storage temperatures and actions to take when the temperatures are out of range.
• Demonstrates knowledge of growth and development principles, when gathering data and communicating with infants, toddlers, school age, and adolescent patients - including knowledge of normal vital signs, general appearance, signs/symptoms of abuse/neglect activity, and mobility.
• Performs the following procedures as directed by Registered Nurse (RN)/Nurse Practitioner (NP)/Physician (MD) and records in the medical chart: Audiometric and vision screening, Non-sterile dressing removal and/or specialty specific procedures (i.e. removing splints, crutch fitting).
• Collects and sends specimens to hospital laboratory/appropriate labs for testing per procedure. Follows guidelines for proper handling of specimens for transport. Provides and documents point of care testing.
• Reports patient’s concerns and symptoms, reactions, changes (appropriate to age) to licensed clinic personnel. Documents clinical information, including patient phone calls and maintains accurate and complete patient documentation according to medical profession standards.
• Prepares the necessary equipment and supplies for exam. Maintains inventory of supplies in examination rooms, replenish as required. Maintains clean and orderly exam rooms, hallways and work areas.
• Takes patient’s messages and provides directions/instructions to patients according to physician orders and established guidelines.
   

• High School diploma or GED
• Completion of all requirements in a recognized Medical Assistant training program

• Current American Heart Association (AHA) Certification for Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers
   

• Knowledge of medical terminology
• Knowledge of and/or ability to use the equipment defined in the Equipment Competency listing, including tube system, nurse call box, emergency masks, One-Way Valve for Basic Life Support, suction devices, automatic BP machine, infant and standing scales, wheelchairs, gurneys, exam table, thermometers, FAX machine, audiometer, tympanogram, portable oxygen tanks and automated dispensing cabinet for medications
• Knowledge of inventory management practices
• Knowledge of basic process improvement principles
• Ability to respond in the event of a medical emergency, including BLS, immediate notification of RN/NP/MD, and access of emergency paging system
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and handle a high volume of interactions (phones, patients, etc.)
• Ability to perform standard clinical procedures according to established protocols, within the Medical Assistant scope of work
• Ability to communicate clearly orally and in writing
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions
• Ability to deal with diverse patient/family interactions
• Ability to recognize and communicate problems promptly
• Knowledge of computer systems and software used in functional area
• Ability to demonstrate customer service skills in interactions with all patients, families and staff, including high volume and stressful situations
• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, work independently and meet deadlines
• Worker may float between locations/positions