Medical Assistant I/II (Temporary full time)

La Clínica de La Raza; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

La Clínica de La Raza in Oakland, California, is seeking dedicated Medical Assistants to enhance patient care and maintain a high standard of service. Candidates should possess strong communication skills, a commitment to health education, and bilingual proficiency in Spanish is preferred. The role entails preparing treatment rooms, administering health questionnaires, and ensuring patient confidentiality whilst managing various office duties. Join us to make a meaningful difference in the health of our community.

Qualifications

• Ability to work professionally and collaboratively in a team.
• Knowledge of modern medical terminology and chronic health conditions.
• Experience with electronic health records.

Responsibilities

• Prepare treatment rooms and set up medical laboratory equipment.
• Administer health questionnaires and verify purpose of visit.
• Schedule patient appointments and maintain patient confidentiality.

Skills

Basic medical assisting practices

Bilingual proficiency in Spanish

Patient education skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Certification from approved medical assistant organizations

Job description

Who we are

La Clinica de La Raza is a non‑profit, community‑based health center established in 1971 to address health barriers and create better lives for the underserved. We have proudly grown into 35 sites across Alameda, Contra Costa, and Solano County.

Job Summary

We are looking for Medical Assistants who are inspired to deliver a great experience to our patients and who want to play an important role in patient‑centered care by performing at the top of their scope of practice. At La Clínica, you will be challenged to be exceptionally accurate, observant, and an efficient task‑master while at the same time providing a human touch and excellent overall patient experience. Many people excel at one of these areas, but it takes someone with a special combination of skills and character to do both. To be successful, you need to enjoy interacting with all kinds of different people, feel energized by a fast‑paced clinic environment, and remain cool under pressure even when serving a person who is upset, disrespectful or impatient. You should have a successful history of being responsible, reliable, and capable of solving problems while being friendly and helpful in looking for ways to support other care team members.

Patient Care

• Prepare treatment rooms and set up medical laboratory equipment.
• Verify purpose of visit with the patient and record medical history in the Electronic Health Record system (EHR).
• Maintain strict confidentiality regarding patient information.
• Administer health questionnaires.
• Prepare patients for examination by performing preliminary physical tests and taking vital signs.
• Effectively communicate requests from patients to provider or care team members.
• Perform routine medical tasks and procedures, including vision tests, urine dipstick tests, pregnancy tests, basic hearing tests, blood glucose testing, site of care hemoglobin A1C testing, sputum collections, oral HIV tests, and non‑invasive specimen collection.
• Collect finger‑stick blood specimens and assist in the collection of tissue or other laboratory specimens: log the specimens and prepare them for testing.
• Conduct specialized procedures under the direction of a clinician such as nebulizer treatments, spirometry, suture removal and wound care.
• Coordinate patient flow to maximize patient access and service.
• Clean and sterilize instruments and dispose of contaminated supplies.
• Explain and/or translate treatment procedures, medications, diets, or providers’ instructions to patients.
• Schedule follow‑up appointments or recall appointments after visit.
• Help providers examine and treat patients.
• Prepare and administer medications and injections as directed by a provider.
• Provide prescription information to pharmacies, as directed by a provider.
• Actively participate in panel management and population health practices and software tools.
• Complete and review information at end of patient visit.
• Administer immunizations, document in EHR, and other electronic tracking systems.
• Ensure that all logs, forms, records, and charts are complete, thorough, and accurate.
• Provide patient education and follow‑up care instructions as instructed by provider.

Commitment to Quality

• Demonstrate a commitment to excellent patient experience and quality outcomes in equal measure.
• Communicate and work effectively with providers and other members of the care team to best serve patients.
• Contribute to a welcoming clinical space and healthy work environment through proactive relationship building, direct communication and sound judgment.
• Engaged participation in huddles, staff meetings, team building activities and assigned development opportunities.
• Continue your professional development through participation in educational opportunities.
• Adhere to La Clínica all ethical and professional standards, including La Clínica’s policies and procedures.

General Office Duties

• Perform general office duties, such as scheduling appointments for patients, answering telephones, recording medical updates from the provider, or completing insurance forms.
• Screen and monitor EHR requests, completing or routing as assigned.
• Greet and log in patients arriving at office or clinic in the appropriate electronic system.
• Contact medical facilities or departments to schedule patients for tests or appointments.
• Inventory stock, order, and verify receipt of medical, lab, or office supplies or equipment.
• Keep equipment operating by following operating instructions; troubleshoot breakdowns; maintain supplies; perform preventive maintenance; call for repairs.
• Enter key medical record information or perform other required record‑keeping duties.

Minimum Job Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Basic medical assisting practices and skills and the various types of equipment used.
• Modern medical terminology, chronic health conditions, and health education related to the service area.
• Working with modern computer applications and electronic health records.
• Administration of skin tests and medication by injection.
• Methods of safely lifting and moving patients, equipment, and supplies.
• Cleaning and sterilization techniques for medical equipment, examining rooms and patient areas.
• Bilingual proficiency in Spanish or (Specify Language).
• Demonstrate flexibility and ability to accept changes gracefully.
• Able to work professionally and collaboratively in team‑based care delivery.
• Comfort with direct patient contact and solid interpersonal skills for patient education and coaching.
• Ability to work across cultures and demonstrate support of diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Use clear and efficient written and verbal communication skills using the English language.
• Complete and maintain accurate and concise patient records.
• Ability to participate with other staff on Saturday and evening rotation.

Education and Experience

• High School diploma or equivalent required.
• MA‑I: There are 3 ways you can qualify for an MA‑I position
  • Completion of an accredited MA Training program OR
  • Must hold a current BLS (Basic Life Support) Certificate. You will have a 30‑day grace period to obtain your certificate from the date of hire.
  • One year of hospital/clinic/medical office experience and completion of on‑the‑job training with documented sign off on all competencies within 90 days of hire OR
  • Completion of on‑the‑job training with documented sign off on all competencies within 90 days of hire.
• MA‑II: Certification from American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), American Medical Technologists (AMT), California Certifying Board of Medical Assistants (CCMA) or the Nationally Registered Certified Medical Assistant (NRCMA) and other board‑approved medical assistant certifying organizations.
• Must hold a current BLS (Basic Life Support) Certificate. You will have a 30‑day grace period to obtain your certificate from the date of hire.
• Preferred Phlebotomy Certification.
• Health clearances and immunization records required of all healthcare professionals.
• Bilingual English/Spanish (or other languages) as required to meet the needs of the patient population.

Physical Requirements

• Remaining in a stationary position, often standing, or sitting for prolonged periods.
• Bending/lifting, pushing/pulling, adjusting, or moving objects weighing up to 15 pounds in all directions and occasionally more.
• Repeating motions that may include the neck, wrists, hands and/or fingers.
• Upper extremity demands: Reaching above shoulder and/or below waist.