Medical Assistant

WHO WE ARE:

Are you interested in working for an organization whose mission it is to enable frail, underserved, and multicultural senior communities to live independently at home and in their communities, for as long as possible?

Orange County Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) is dedicated to providing its participants with comprehensive health and social supports that are proven to effectively manage chronic conditions and to reduce the risk for premature institutionalization. PACE staff are leaders in the “aging in place” industry and we have had the honor of serving Fresno, Bakersfield and Orange County seniors and their families/caregivers.

Job Summary

A Medical Assistant is responsible for preparing participants for exams and procedures; assisting providers with minor surgeries and procedures performed in clinic; taking necessary vital signs and measurements; obtaining and processing lab specimens; scheduling appointments, tests and procedures; assisting providers in any other way to ensure effective participant flow.

Essential Job Functions

• Report on personal care services provided and the self-care abilities of participant,
• including changes noted in participant’s condition.
• As part of the health care team, provide personal care assistance that will
• maintain the independence of the participant to conduct activities of daily
• living, including toileting, showers, eating, and grooming. Assist in the
• maintenance of physical activity, exercise, and walking.
• Welcomes participants, visitors, providers and staff in a warm, friendly and
• professional manner.
• Rooms participants upon arrival, documenting participant’s vital signs and
• chief complaint in the participant’s chart. Confirms current medication list
• and any additional information as instructed by the provider.
• Initiate all telehealth video and phone visits prior to the provider entering
• the exam room.
• Performs scribe duties for providers as they assess/examine participants to
• ensure timely completion of documentation.
• Assumes responsibility for assisting providers with procedures and tests as
• directed by the Medical Board of California.
• Two days prior to participant’s appointment, reviews participant’s chart and
• checks that all pertinent information is up-to-date including current referrals
• and test results.
• Reviews charts at the end of each participant day, completing any provider
• requests.
• Pulls prescription refill requests and obtains approval from provider to
• refill.
• Calls or faxes in any orders approved by provider.
• Checks voice mail messages regularly throughout the day and
• addresses/responds to all inquiries by the end of each day.
• Maintains clean work area and cabinets.
• Cleans and sterilizes instruments.
• Maintains OSHA logs and keeps up to date for compliance.
• Restocks participant rooms with supplies on a daily basis.
• Inventories and orders medical supplies as needed.
• Checks assigned providers mail on a daily basis and notifies provider of
• participants’ lab and test results; meeting times; etc.
• Monitors provider’s schedule on a daily basis.
• Makes appointment confirmation calls as needed.
• Provides back-up telephone coverage for front office as needed.
• Provides back-up to other medical assistants as needed.
• Responsible for participant safety, identify safety hazards and emergency
• situations, and initiate corrective action as able.
• Provide behavioral supervision or support for participants, such as reality
• orientation, reminder to follow through with nursing and medication instruction,
• diet restrictions, and emotional reassurance.
• Assist with general activities such as conversing with participants, recreation activities,
• meal and snack serving, and housekeeping.
• Assist in identifying signs and symptoms indicating physical, emotional, or
• behavioral change in participants and reporting these signs to the center staff
• and/or supervisor, including but not limited to, any changes in skin integrity,
• bowel and bladder status, food/fluid intake, or changes in ambulation.
• Assure compliance with infection control, personal protection equipment, bloodborne
• pathogens, hazardous material handling, and fire safety standards.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of all participant information.
• Maintain accurate, up-to date EHR documentation indicating ongoing services
• provided, reassessments of changing needs, and participant’s expressed wishes.
• Prepare and submit timely reports as required.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings, in-services, projects, and committees as assigned.
• Adhere to and support the center’s practices, procedures, and policies including
• assigned break times and attendance.
• Accept assigned duties in a cooperative manner; and perform all other related
• duties as assigned.
• Be flexible in schedule of hours worked.
• May require use of personal vehicle

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the principles and techniques involved in relating to frail elderly persons.
• Skill in communicating with participants, their families, and other staff members; ability
• to establish a helping, trusting relationship with participants.
• Demonstrates sensitivity to the needs of older adults as evidenced by a caring
• approach, patience in providing care, and responsiveness to participant requests.
• Ability to follow directions, verbal and written instructions, and adapt work schedule
• under supervision.
• Ability to follow through with instructions and directions provided by supervisor, RN, QI
• coordinator, primary care provider, and/or medical director.
• Ability to utilize appropriate safety measures when providing care.
• Ability to relate to the public and governmental agencies in a pleasant,
• participant, and professional manner.
• Well organized, dependable, flexible, and resourceful.
• Ability to learn and retain information regarding participant care procedures.
• Ability to plan, prioritize and complete designated tasks.
• Ability to demonstrate compassion and patience when dealing with participants and
• participant’s families.
• Ability to project a pleasant and professional image.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

The working conditions and physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

• Ability to access all areas of the center throughout the workday.
• Ability to lift up to 35 pounds occasionally, 15 pounds frequently, and 7 pounds
• constantly; required to obtain assistance of another qualified employee when attempting
• to lift or transfer objects over 25 pounds.
• Requires constant hand grasp and finger dexterity; frequent sitting, standing, walking
• and repetitive leg and arm movements, occasional bending, reaching forward and
• overhead; squatting and kneeling.
• Ability to communicate verbally with an excellent comprehension of the English language.
• Work is generally performed in an indoor, well-lighted, well-ventilated, heated, and
• air- conditioned environment.

Experience

• Minimum of one (1) year of documented experience working with a frail or
• elderly population.
• Experience in a long-term care facility or with a community-based geriatric
• program preferred.
• Current CPR certification required.
• Certified California Medical Assistant required.

Education and Certification

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Graduation from an accredited two-year medical assistant program.
• Is medically cleared for communicable diseases and has all immunizations up-to-date
• before engaging in direct participant contact.