Medical Assistant-HIV/STD Counselor

APLA Health; West Hollywood (CA); On-site; USD 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

APLA Health seeks a Medical Assistant – HIV/STD Counselor to provide patient care and deliver culturally appropriate services. Responsibilities include patient registration, HIV counseling, and performing clinical duties such as phlebotomy and vital signs monitoring.

Applicants should have a high school diploma, complete recognized training, and acquire specific certifications. Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish is required, along with knowledge of medical terminology and clinical procedures.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED is required.
• Completion of a Medical Assistant training program recognized by the Medical Board of California.
• HIV Test Counselor Certification within 90 days of hire is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Greets and registers patients and assists with forms.
• Conducts HIV counseling and risk assessments.
• Performs phlebotomy and collects non-invasive specimens.
• Maintains medical records and tracks referrals effectively.

Skills

Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish

Knowledge of basic medical terminology

Clinical procedures and laboratory methods

Risk reduction counseling

Ability to follow instructions

Education

High School diploma or GED

Completion of a Medical Assistant training program

Job description

Position Summary

The Medical Assistant – HIV/STD Counselor provides patient care services under the direction of a licensed health care provider, delivering culturally appropriate HIV/STD services to APLA Health & Wellness patients. The role involves identifying HIV positive individuals within prevention programs, linking them to HIV medical care, and performing both front‑office and clinical back‑office duties including referrals, vital signs, medication administration, phlebotomy, and other technical clinical functions.

Responsibilities

• Greets and registers patients, assists with forms, answers phones, and schedules appointments.
• Retrieves medical files, maintains records and files.
• Provides pre/post‑test client‑centered HIV counseling and HIV/STD risk assessments.
• Delivers HIV/STD risk reduction and prevention coaching.
• Prepares treatment rooms, ensuring cleanliness and proper supplies.
• Interviews patients to obtain medical history, measures vitals, and records data for provider review.
• Performs phlebotomy, collects urine and non‑invasive specimens, logs specimens, and conducts urine dip sticks and finger‑stick tests.
• Provides counseling and rapid HIV testing to clients.
• Maintains monthly equipment logs for glucometer, hemocue, and refrigerators.
• Develops strategies to improve linkage to HIV primary medical care for newly diagnosed or disengaged patients.
• Assists physicians and nurses in patient examinations, instrument handling, treatment site disinfection, dressing application, medication administration, and injections.
• Assists in preparing reports and maintaining HIV/STD testing records per funding and quality requirements.
• Handles patient discharge processes, providing follow‑up instructions and referrals.
• Follows referral tracking policy to ensure proper logging and patient follow‑up.
• Administers CPR in medical emergencies.
• Communicates effectively with clients in English and Spanish.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED.
• Completion of a Medical Assistant training program recognized by the Medical Board of California.
• LA County’s Division of HIV and STD Programs’ HIV Test Counselor Certification within 90 days of hire.
• Knowledge of basic medical terminology, clinical procedures, laboratory methods, sterile techniques, record maintenance, safety policies, HIV/STD prevention, psychosocial issues, health education, communication skills, and community resources.
• Ability to interview patients, conduct risk reduction counseling, communicate with diverse populations, follow instructions, maintain sterile environments, perform medical tests accurately, use computers, protect HIPAA‑compliant information, exercise judgment, and collaborate with staff.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish.

Working Conditions / Physical Requirements

Primarily an office position requiring occasional bending, reaching, stooping, lifting, and moving of materials up to 25 pounds. Daily computer use for data entry and revisions.

Special Requirements

COVID‑19 vaccination or medical/religious exemption required.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Equal Opportunity Employer.