Medical Assistant

County of Santa Barbara; Santa Maria (CA); On-site; USD 56,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking dedicated Medical Assistants to deliver high-quality care in a collaborative environment. This role involves assisting with patient engagement, administrative tasks, and supporting diverse health initiatives. Ideal candidates will have a passion for helping underserved populations and a commitment to making a positive impact in their communities. Join a team that values compassion and professionalism while working in a dynamic health care setting, where your contributions will be pivotal in enhancing community health outcomes.

Benefits

Bilingual Allowance

Special Duty Allowance

Generous Benefits Package

Retirement Reciprocity

Advanced Vacation Accrual Rate

Qualifications

• Experience with underserved populations is essential.
• Ability to maintain professionalism and confidentiality.
• Knowledge of basic medical terminology and safe practices.

Responsibilities

• Assist in delivering health care services under supervision.
• Conduct patient assessments and record vital signs.
• Provide health education and support patient care.

Skills

Customer Service

Organizational Skills

Electronic Medical Records

Team Collaboration

Initiative

Education

Medical Assistant Certificate

Tools

Basic Medical Terminology

Computerized Medical Office Systems

Job description

SALARY
$27.24 - $32.44 Hourly
$56,665.44 - $67,483.52 Annually
Bilingual allowance, when applicable
Special Duty allowance, when applicable

______________________________________________________

The County of Santa Barbara is currently seeking dedicated and compassionate Medical Assistants to join our team. As a Medical Assistant, you will play a crucial role in providing high-quality care to our patients. This position offers the opportunity to work in a dynamic environment, collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to deliver comprehensive services.

The County Health Department is currently accepting applications to fill two (2) bilingual (English/Spanish) full-time Medical Assistantand one (1) part-time (0.5 FTE) Medical Assistant vacancies at theSanta Maria Health Care Centerand one (1) CSR 1414* Medical Assistantvacancy at the Lompoc Health Care Center.This recruitment will also be used to fill future vacancies in theBehavioral Wellness Department.

We are also accepting applications to establish an employment list for future Full-Time, Part-time, Extra Help and 1414* vacancies for Medical Assistants in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Lompoc and Carpinteria.

*Civil Service Rule 1414. Appointment to Fill Vacancy During Leave of Absence.1414 vacancies may occur as a result of a leave of absence and the duration of the appointment shall be subject to the return of the individual who is on leave. A person who is appointed to a position under Civil Service Rule 1414 may be able to transition into a regular position in the classification without re-application or re-testing, depending on the performance of the appointee and the needs of the department.

**CivilService Rule 905. Extra Help Appointment.An extra help appointment is defined as an appointment made to a non-regular, non-permanent position established on a temporary basis to meet peak loads, unusual work situations, seasonal and recurrent work, intermittent assignments, or emergencies. These positions are exempt from the Provisions of the Civil Service Rules.

Please select thelocation(s)you would like to be considered for current and future vacancies. If you qualify for this position, pass the required selection steps and are in the area of selection, then your name may be sent to the hiring manager(s) of the vacancy location(s) where you have expressed that you are willing to work.

BENEFITS: The County of Santa Barbara offers generous benefits. Click on the Benefits Tab above orCLICK HERE to view more information.

In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for:

• Retirement reciprocity
• Time and service credit towards for an advanced vacation accrual rate

THE POSITION:Under medical supervision, assists professionals in the delivery of health care services; and performs related duties as required.

The IDEAL CANDIDATE will possess:

• Experience working with underserved & economically disadvantaged populations.
• Excellent customer service and organizational skills.
• Ability to maintain a professional demeanor.
• Ability to take initiative and remain professional at all times.
• Proven track record of working well as part of a team.
• Experience working with electronic medical records.

The County Health Department is seeking Medical Assistants to support the Primary Care & Family Health (PCFH) division by serving at one of five Federally Qualified Health Care Centers (FQHCs) across Santa Barbara County offering a wide variety of services for adults, teens, children and infants. At our Health Care Centers, the medical assistant will focus on patient engagement and assisting with administrative tasks to support client care. County Health is looking for candidates passionate about assisting underserved populations and making a positive impact to their communities through public health initiatives. To learn more about our Health Care Centers, please visit:https://www.countyofsb.org/2100/Health-Care-Centers

The Behavioral Wellness Department is seeking Medical Assistants to support Behavioral Wellness’s mental health team. These positions will be assigned to serve the clinics in one of the three regions within Santa Barbara County. They will focus on patient engagement and assisting with administrative tasks to support client care. Behavioral Wellness is looking for candidates passionate about the mental health field, and who enjoy supporting their community.

THE DEPARTMENTS:

County of Santa Barbara Health (County Health): Founded in 1925, our mission is to improve the health of our communities by preventing disease, promoting wellness and health equity, while ensuring access to needed health care, and maintaining a safe and healthy environment. Our vision of “healthy people, healthy community, healthy environment” is made possible through our team of over 500 professionals. With an annual budget of $118.8 million, we serve more than 440,000 residents across Santa Barbara County through a wide range of innovative public health programs and services.

The Department’s range of responsibilities includes:

• Investigating disease outbreaks
• Conducting health education campaigns
• Inspecting food establishments
• Working with high risk mothers and children
• Operating health clinics for the underserved
• Staffing medical shelters during emergency evacuations
• Caring for our four-legged friends through our animal control program and many other programs and services.

For more information, please visit: www.countyofsb.org/PHD.

Department of Behavioral Wellness (BWell):Founded in 1962, it is our mission to promote the prevention of and recovery from mental illness and addiction among individuals, families and communities, by providing effective leadership and delivering state-of-the-art, culturally competent services. The Department provides treatment, rehabilitation, and support services to 10,000 clients with mental illness and substance use disorders annually through its professional staff of over 400, in addition to its many contracted Community-Based Organization (CBO) providers.

The Department’s decisions and service delivery are guided by the following values:

• Quality services for persons of all ages with mental illness and/or substance abuse
• Integrity in individual and organizational actions
• Dignity, respect, and compassion for all persons
• Active involvement of clients and families in treatment, recovery, and policy development
• Diversity throughout our organization and cultural competency in service delivery
• A system of care and recovery that is clearly defined and promotes recovery and resiliency
• Emphasis on prevention and treatment
• Teamwork among department employees in an atmosphere that is respectful and creative
• Continuous quality improvement in service delivery and administration
• Wellness modeled for our clients at all levels; i.e., staff who regularly arrive at the workplace healthy, energetic and resilient
• Safety for everyone

For more information, please visit:www.countyofsb.org/behavioral-wellness

In a Health Care Center Environment

1. Identifies patient's chief complaint and records observations in patient's permanent medical record.
2. Performs height, weight, vital signs, and vision tests and records them in the medical record.
3. Helps patients to complete medical history forms and prepares patients for examinations and treatment by provider.
4. Conducts and/or assists with tests and procedures as directed, such as EKGs, non-stress tests, spirometer, audiometer, venipunctures, skin punctures, strep screen, glucometer, chemical analyzer, and urine tests.
5. Assists health service providers with treatments and examinations of patients such as wound care, pelvic exams, minor surgery, and IUD insertions.
6. Assists in the identification of psychosocial needs and consults with the health service provider or makes referrals to appropriate agencies.
7. Performs case management which may include monitoring care alerts, scheduling appointments for specialty tests, hospital admissions, and surgeries; following up on broken appointments to explain the need and value of returning for follow-up care, and arranging transportation.
8. Provides discharge/exit instructions to patients, prepares referral forms, such as treatment authorization, insurance, disability, and employment physical forms, as directed; transcribes doctors' orders and prepares appropriate requisitions and forms.
9. Provides health education for patients or groups on such topics as nutrition counseling, diabetes counseling, well children counseling and other health related topics for pregnant women and infants.
10. Cleans and sterilizes equipment and stocks clinics or vehicles used for home visits or outlying clinics.
11. Takes direction from the assigned healthcare provider (physician or health care practitioner) as to tasks to perform in the engagement of patient care.

In a Field-Based Environment

1. Identifies patient's chief complaint and records observations in designated records and data systems.
2. Performs and records data on height, weight, vital signs, and visual screening tests.
3. As directed, conducts and/or assists with clinical services such as tuberculin skin tests (TSTs), venipuncture, and audiometry and visual screening tests.
4. Conducts field visits with Public Health Nurses and/or may make independent home visits under the general direction and supervision of a Public Health Nurse.
5. In coordination with Public Health Nurses, assists with communicable disease investigations for Sexually Transmitted Disease, Tuberculosis, and other communicable diseases.
6. Collects specimens; labels and delivers specimens as directed by Public Health Nurse.
7. As part of the public health team, assumes a key role in communicable disease case management activities.
8. Provides health education for patients or groups on such topics as communicable diseases and health care for school-age children, infants, and pregnant women.
9. Links patients to community resources and medical providers based on patient needs.

• Possession of a Medical Assistant Certificate issued by an accredited institution.

Additional Qualifications: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License may be required for some positions in this class.

Knowledge of: basic medical terminology, basic arithmetic, safe venipuncture techniques, and safe work practices in a health care center or community-based setting.

Ability to: work independently; conduct basic medical tests, such as vision and audiometry; understand the needs and problems facing culturally, economically, or socially disadvantaged persons; establish and maintain good relations with people from a wide range of social and ethnic groups; maintain confidentiality of patient information; understand and follow oral and written instructions; observe, report, and accurately record relevant information in patient records; follow established protocols for conducting medical tests and procedures; communicate medical and health information to patients understandably; show sensitivity and empathy toward patients; write legibly; elicit sensitive medical information from patients; and use computerized medical office systems.

Desirable Qualifications: Possession of a phlebotomy certificate is highly desired and hiring preference will be given to candidates possessing this certificate in the Field-Based Environment or in a Health Care Center Environment depending on the specific needs of each Health Care Center. A California Department of Public Health phlebotomy certificate is highly desirable for field-based positions.

NOTE:Possession of a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) certificate issued by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) may be highly desirable for certain positions and hiring preference may be given to candidates possessing this certificate.

APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS:

1. Review applications and supplemental questionnaireto determine those applicants who meet the employment standards.
2. Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking.Applications that meet the employment standards will be evaluated and scored. Candidates’ final score and rank on the eligibility list will be determined by the information provided on their supplemental questionnaire.

Candidates must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the supplemental questionnaire ranking to be placed on an employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule VI. Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months. At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive an email notice of their score on the exam(s), rank on the employment list, and exact duration of the employment list.

VETERANS PREFERENCE POINTS: Veteran’s preference credit is applicable for this recruitment (5 points for veterans, 10 points for disabled veterans). To be eligible for this credit, you must be applying for this position within five years from your most recent date of: (1) honorable discharge from active military service; or, (2) discharge from a military or veterans’ hospital where treatment and confinement were for a disability incurred during active military service; or, (3) completion of education or training funded by a Federal Educational Assistance Act. No time limit exists for veterans with 30% or more disability.

To receive veteran’s preference points, you must: (1) check the Veteran’s Preference Points box on the employment application form, (2) submit a copy of your Form DD-214 on or before the closing date, and (3) pass all phases of the examination process. The preference points will be added to your final test score.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We require verification of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider, or learning institution.

Recruiters will communicate with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.

Conditional Job Offer: Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, candidate will be required to successfully complete a background check, which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks. The appointee will be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination. The appointee must satisfactorily complete a one-year probationary period.

The County of Santa Barbara Health Department (“County Health”) requires all employees working in direct contact with patients or clients in a high-risk environment to comply with the County Health Employee Immunizations policy. This can be accomplished by providing documentation of immunizations, submitting laboratory immune titers demonstrating adequate immunity, or obtaining required vaccinations. A list of requirements, based on the specific program, will be sent at the time an offer letter is presented to the selected candidate(s) and initial documentation will be required at this time.

Additionally, for the Behavioral Wellness Department, a Live Scan and Background Check: Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, the selected candidate's appointment is contingent upon successful completion of a Live Scan and background check which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks. A Live Scan is electronic fingerprint scanning that is certified by the State Department of Justice. Further instructions about when and how to complete the Live Scan will be included in the offer letter. Appointee will be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination. The appointee must satisfactorily complete a one-year probationary period.

Disaster Service Workers: Pursuant to Governmental Code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.

STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT

The County of Santa Barbara provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any type with regard to any characteristic or status protected by any federal law, state law, or Santa Barbara County ordinance. The County continues to be committed to a merit-based selection process and to eliminating barriers to attracting and retaining top qualified candidates. The County has a long-standing practice of providing a work environment that respects the dignity of individual employees and values their contributions to our organization.

APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: 05/20/25 by 4:59PM PST. Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com.

Farrah Medrano, Talent Acquisition Lead
County Health, [e-mail]