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Career Opportunities with The Cowlitz Indian Tribe

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Careers at The Cowlitz Indian Tribe

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POSITION TITLE: Medical Assistant, Lead
DEPARTMENT: Health and Human Services (HHS) – Opioid Treatment Program (OTP)
LOCATION: Vancouver, WA
FLSA STATUS: Nonexempt, fulltime
WAGE RANGE: $29.05 - $33.40 per hour

Open until filled, review Date: July 25, 2025

***If you are an American Indian/Alaska Native and/or a Veteran and would like this to be considered preference in hiring, please upload documentation with your resume and cover letter. Acceptable documentation includes Tribal Enrollment card, a letter from your Tribe stating your enrollment, or BIA 4432 and/or DD214.***

Position Summary:

Serves as team leader who combines clinical excellence with compassionate patient care and strong organizational oversight. Supports both day-to-day clinic operations and long-term team development, working closely with the Director of Nursing to ensure a supportive, efficient, and patient-centered environment. Adheres to HIPAA and confidentiality requirements. Honors and represents the mission, vision, values of CIT and of the HHS department.

This list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only of the tasks performed by this position and is not all-inclusive.

• Provides patient care under the supervision of a provider. The performance of a delegated medical act by the Medical Assistant must be directed and supervised by the provider.
• Conducts patient check-in, including obtaining and recording vital signs, height, weight, chief complaint, brief relevant history including pain status, allergies, current medication, and any other pertinent information for specific age groups.
• Prepares patient for examination/procedure, as appropriate.
• Administers medications and immunizations orally, intramuscularly, subcutaneously, intradermally, and by inhalation as ordered by provider.
• Reviews medical records for up-to-date problem list including patient reported medication and allergies and diagnoses that are documented by physicians or providers.
• Understands that the stress of illness may alter patient behavior and ability to follow through on plan of health care; interacts with respect including situations where patient and/or family display anger or distress.
• Participates in patient education by providing standardized, structured written/verbal information to patients regarding procedures, preparation for diagnostic tests, and chronic disease conditions as instructed by the provider.
• Assists providers with procedures including those requiring aseptic and sterile technique.
• Helps with quality measures, including maintenance and recording of required daily equipment checks, CLIA requirements, and calibration of equipment.
• Documents complete and accurate patient observations, care, and outcomes of interventions in the electronic medical record.
• Contributes to individual patient care planning.
• Participates in the review of schedules and space needs; anticipates and suggests any needed changes in staffing or provider schedules.
• Assists with quality improvement projects such as communication of waits and delays, chart audits.
• Aids in updating Medical Assistant training materials.
• Participates in orientation of new staff.
• Floats to help in the Front Office when needed.
• Cleans and examines procedure tables, equipment, and other work areas following current infection control and/or isolation procedure guidelines.
• Stocks nurse’s station and exam/procedure rooms as assigned.
• Inventories specialty items and reorders supplies as needed.
• Reports non-functioning or defective equipment to supervisor immediately.
• Ensures all supplies are up to date and replaces expired materials as necessary following sterile processing procedures.
• Assists in the maintenance of patient education materials.
• Prepares/maintains medical records, including ordering, filing, and copying when appropriate.
• Completes all required competencies and maintains skill level.
• Recognizes the need for continuous learning by attending staff development programs and workshops.
• Collects body fluid samples for patients being admitted to treatment.
• Prepares and maintains urinalysis, oral toxicology swabs, urine drug screen collection schedules and documents results in master file.
• Performs lab draws and prepares samples for the lab.
• Upholds commitment to respectful patient- and family-centered care.
• Upholds patient confidentiality and safety.
• Serves as an advocate for patients and families.
• Communicates and collaborates effectively with physicians/team members, patients, and families.
• Works effectively with multidisciplinary team members.
• Promotes mutual respect and trust working within a team model.
• Maintains and practices confidentiality as required by HIPAA regulations regarding client confidentiality and request/release of information.
• Adapts to changes in safety protocols and procedures.
• Contributes to a team effort and accomplishes related results as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of traditional form of government and tribal customs and traditions.
• Knowledge of basic medical terminology preferred.
• Knowledge of patient registration and healthcare front office preferred.
• Knowledge of policies and procedures related to HIPPA, Medicare, Medicaid and insurance programs.
• Knowledge of office functions, procedures, and policies.
• Skill in operating various word-processing, spreadsheet and database software programs in a Windows environment including electronic health care systems.
• Skill in data entry with a high level of accuracy.
• Ability to lead the work of peers and provide general guidance in work duties.
• Ability to react to frequent changes in duties and volume of work.
• Ability to demonstrate a customer–first attitude and philosophy.
• Ability to listen empathetically.
• Ability to maintain quality, safety, and/or infection control standards.
• Ability to work both independently and in a team environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with individuals of varying social and cultural backgrounds and with co-workers at all levels.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to conduct activity in an ethical manner.
• Ability to analyze and evaluate situations and adopt effective courses of action.
• Ability to follow Cowlitz OTP personnel policies.
• Ability to maintain passion for assisting patients under all circumstances.
• Ability to receive constructive feedback, to share opinions, and uphold beliefs.
• Ability to maintain calm, focused, professional, and kind in highly stressful situations.
• Ability to be reliable, flexible, and versatile.
• Ability to maintain humility.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Current Certified Medical Assistant licensed in the State of Washington.
• Four (4) years of experience as a Medical Assistant with experience in a Medically Assisted Treatment facility, substance use disorder setting.
• A combination of relevant education and related work experience may be considered.
• Must maintain BLS certification and active American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support.
• Must be able to provide health and TB clearance.
• Valid driver’s license is required when driving vehicles for work-related purposes.
• Must be able to successfully pass a background screening / investigation according to the established requirements below.

Tribal preference in accordance with Cowlitz Indian Tribe Code and CIT Employee Policies and Procedures Handbook shall apply to all positions. All positions are required to adhere to CIT’s established safety policies regarding vaccine requirements and personal protective equipment (PPE).

• Reference checks, education and employment verification.
• Federal, state, and/or tribal criminal history and sanction checks.
• Has not been found guilty of, charged with, received a deferred sentence, received a conditional discharge of, or entered a plea of not contest to, or entered a plea of guilty to any one felony or misdemeanor crimes of violence, sexual assault, molestation, exploitation or sexual contact; prostitution; or crimes committed against person(s) or children.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly is required to stand; walk; sit; stop, kneel, bend, or crouch; use hands to manipulate, touch, or grasp objects and materials and type on a keyboard; reach with hands and arms; and perform repetitive tasks. Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing abilities to discern verbal instructions and communicate effectively in person and via telephone. The employee occasionally is required to lift up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Work is performed in an office and clinical setting. Employee may be exposed to unpleasant odors, bodily fluids, and infectious disease and frequent exposure to dust, fumes, airborne particles and/or allergens. Situations occur where PPE (personal protective equipment) is needed. Work may involve working with hostile, violent or offensive individuals. Overnight travel, weekend, and/or evening work is occasionally required. Tight time constraints and multiple demands are common.