Medical Assistant Apprentice

Sea Mar Community Health Centers, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) founded in 1978, is a community-based organization committed to providing quality, comprehensive health, human, housing, educational and cultural services to diverse communities, specializing in service to Latinos in Washington State. Sea Mar proudly serves all persons without regard to race, ethnicity, immigration status, gender, or sexual orientation, and regardless of ability to pay for services. Sea Mar's network of services includes more than 90 medical, dental, and behavioral health clinics and a wide variety of nutritional, social, and educational services. We are recruiting for the following position:

Sea Mar is a mandatory COVID-19 and flu vaccine organization

Medical Assistant Apprentice - Posting #26907

Hourly Rate: $20.00

Position Summary:

Full-time Medical Assistant Apprentice position is available at our Vancouver - Fourth Plain Medical Clinic in Vancouver, WA. The Medical Assistant Apprenticeship Program is a 12 month program that prepares students to take the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) test through the National Health Career Association. It has been approved by the State of Washington as an equivalent to an MA-C program at a community or technical college. After completion of the MA Apprentice Program, employee must stay employed with Sea Mar for three years. 

 The MA Apprentice Program is:

• A registered apprenticeship program through the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries.
• Governed by an Apprenticeship Committee of 50% employer and 50% MA representatives.
• Administered through the Washington Association of Community & Migrant Health Centers.
• Trains students in the specific skills required to achieve the MA-C credential, as outlined in RCW 18.360 and WAC 246-827.
• A Curriculum approved by the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.

 As a part of the MA Apprenticeship Program, Apprentices will:

• Complete 2000 hours of on-the-job training (paid) with the support and guidance of an experienced one-on-one MA coach
• Complete 364 hours of supplemental coursework (unpaid).  There are two online courses:
• Technical Skills for Medical Assistants
• Role of Medical Assistants in the Patient-Centered Medical Home model
• Attend 3 in-person lab days with an expert instructor to practice and demonstrate mastery of hands-on technical skills.
• Log and report on-the-job hours and skill practices as required.

The MA Apprentice is a key member of the patient care team, working with the medical provider and other members of the care team to ensure the patient receives current and ongoing primary care services in a timely, courteous and professional manner at all times. 

 Essential Duties and Responsibilities

*Competency evaluations and responsibilities are tested annually in conjunction with the performance evaluation.

• The MA Apprentice is responsible for ensuring that ALL patient clinical measures are being addressed and will do so by doing thorough EHR reviews, working collaboratively with the Chronic Care Coordinators, tracking and documenting all clinical measures/outcomes for patients in EHR.
• Will coordinate and process all patient referrals, for both internal and external services.  In addition, will inform patients regarding specialty referral, providing required information to specialist’s offices for point of care referral processing, including but not limited to, labs, EHR notes, etc.
• Must be team oriented and work collaboratively with all other care team members to provide the best outcomes for the patients and the organizations.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span.
• Is able to identify and categorize each patient’s age-specific grouping of needs and clinical measures such as those for infant, adolescent, adult or geriatric patients.
• Is responsible for the Pre-Huddle preparation and participation in the Care Team Huddle to ensure the collection of all relative clinic forms, quality/HEDIS measures, lab and x-ray reports and review of the Patient Manager and Medication confirmation process and any additional information necessary to be prepared for the patient’s visit.
• The MA Apprentice will be responsible for obtaining patient subjective information and vital signs.
• MA will perform duties in the MA - Registered Scope of Practice, to include administering immunization, administration of eye drops, and applying topical ointments. 
• Will ensure documentation of all relevant information, care provided and processes engaged in, in accordance with Sea Mar protocol.
• Prepares exam and procedure rooms by stocking with the appropriate supplies and disinfecting as per established protocol.
• Maintains professional standards and follows the treatment policies and procedures of the organization. Additionally, the MA – Registered scope of practice does NOT allow performing capillary or venipuncture, EKGs, etc. 
• Respects the cultural diversity of Sea Mar patients and staff.
• Attends regular staff meetings and in service training.
• Ensures quality controls are performed and documented as required. Any area of non-compliance should be reported immediately to the supervisor / manager.
• Assists providers with GYN exams, I & D’s, and other minor procedures.
• Ensures quality controls are performed and documented as required.
• Demonstrates clear and concise written and verbal communication skills.
• Reports any abnormal vital signs to the provider immediately.
• Utilizes aseptic (sterile) technique.
• Assists with ordering of department supplies.
• Assists Nursing/MA Supervisors with streamlining and implementing pod/flow systems to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• Ensures that all medical, nursing, health & safety and personnel policies and procedures are being followed and implemented.
• Assists with obtaining laboratory tests and results from previous orders not entered in the electronic health care record.
• Assist with obtaining patient notes and records from hospitals and other doctors’ offices.
• Maintains positive collaborative working relationships with co-workers, specialists and community organizations.
• Ensures excellent customer service at each patient visit including escorting each patient to and from the treatment rooms.
• Addresses messages from patients or outside provider as quickly as possible, but no later than 1 business day.
• Will appropriately communicate provider delays and delays in patient flow to the front desk staff, direct supervisor and the patient.
• Ensures proper management of bio-hazardous waste. Assists with pharmacy requests.
• Ensures infection control and universal precautions are followed according to Sea Mar policy.
• Demonstrates proficiency in the nursing parameters of the Electronic Health Record and Practice Management Application programs.
• Demonstrates knowledge, proficiency and compliance with regulatory requirements including, but not limited to: Joint Commission, NPSG, Department of Health, HEDIS, PCMH, QI and other contractual obligations.
• Demonstrates proficiency as the scribe for the provider.
• Will maintain patient confidentiality and privacy at all times.
• Will perform other duties as assigned.  
• Bilingual preferred.

Conditions of Employment:

The person in this position must be honest, exhibit a strong work ethic and able to maintain the understanding, physical health, emotional stability and personality suited to meet the physical, mental, emotional and social needs of the population served.

Ensure that all medical policies and procedures are being followed and implemented. An MA-Registered maybe asked to travel to another Sea Mar sites due to staffing and patient needs. The MA Apprentice must follow the AIDET model of customer service to ensure that patients, peers and visitors have an exceptional experience during their encounter with him/her.

Qualifications:

Must meet the following minimum qualifications:

• Proficient in reading, writing and speaking English.
• High school education or equivalent.
• At least 18 years of age.
• Able to provide proof of 7.0 HIV/AIDS training from WA State DOH-approved training provider.
• Able to provide proof of up-to-date First Aid and CPR training.

Have the time and resources to devote to the online coursework, lab days, and documentation associated with the program.  Specific requirements include:

• Ability to spend at least 5 hours per week on online coursework for a full year.  This time is unpaid and outside of normal work hours. 
• Access to a computer with (1) an Internet connection; (2) a current web browser; (3) capability to watch videos and play sound (e.g., Adobe Flash player or a similar program); (4) capability to open and read PDF documents (e.g., Adobe Acrobat Reader or a similar program); and (5) capability to download and save documents, either on a hard drive or a thumb drive.
• Ability to attend up to four (4) in-person lab skills/review days within a three-hour drive of their workplace.  These will be scheduled on Saturdays.
• Ability to attend a one day testing session within a three-hour drive of their workplace.
• Have the ability to track own work hours and skill practice using forms provided and submit for approval as required.

 Understand and agree to the terms of the Registered Apprenticeship Program. Namely:

• The apprenticeship wage progression structure (i.e., Apprentices start at a fraction of an MA-C starting wage and their wage increases based on completion of a set number of hours of on-the-job training.  This is outlined in the document “Wage Progression Structure.”
• The Apprenticeship Committee has final say over who is accepted as an Apprentice, wage progression, approval of work reports, status changes, complaints, disciplinary procedures, program graduation, etc. The composition and duties of the Apprenticeship Committee are outlined in Program Standards.

 Have the ability to work well with a Coach and as a member of a primary care team.  This includes the ability to:

• Take direction and receive coaching.
• Ask questions and ask for help as appropriate.
• Apply learned technical and interpersonal skills in a clinical setting.
• Try out new roles as directed.
• Attempt unfamiliar and possibly uncomfortable tasks, with appropriate supervision.
• Interact with patients in a professional and caring manner.

Be genuinely interested in and committed to a career as a Certified Medical Assistant.  This registered Apprenticeship program is a unique route to obtaining MA-C certification.  It is completed in lieu of community or technical college course, but it should be approached with the same level of commitment and professionalism.  Depending on the arrangement with the employer, the apprentice may be asked to pay all or part of the $3000 training fee; approximately $300 for textbooks; travel to the kick-off event, lab days and testing; and the certification testing fee.  An Apprentice should view these costs as an investment in his/her education and future career.  The Apprentice should also understand that competing college-level coursework on evenings and weekends after working a full time job can be challenging, and requires a high level of dedication and excellent time management skills.

 Education and/or Experience:

• Must be able to be licensed as an MA-R once endorsed by the organization. 
• Possess and maintain CPR certification.
• Must adhere to the Sea Mar Employee Health Screening Policy.
• The person must be computer literate and proficient in software including Microsoft Word, and Excel. 
• The employee will be expected to use SharePoint, Arcadia, One  Health Portal, Health Plan Finder, etc., and Proprietary Software for Electronic Medical Records, and Retinal Camera, etc.
• The Employee must be proficient with agency PM and EHR systems before end of probationary period.

What We Offer:

Sea Mar offers talented and motivated people the opportunity to work in a dynamic and growing community health organization. Working at Sea Mar Community Health Centers is more than just a job, it’s a fulfilling career with opportunity for advancement. The fringe benefits surpass most companies. For example, Full-time employees working 30 hours or more, receive an excellent benefit package of:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Prescription coverage
• Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• EAP (Employee Assistance Program)
• Paid-time-off starting at 18 days per year + 10 paid Holidays.

How to Apply:

To apply for this position, complete the online application and click SUBMIT or APPLY NOW. If you have any questions regarding the position, email Irlanda Guarneros-Hernandez, MA Supervisor, at [email protected]. 

Sea Mar is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Posted on 9/24/2024

Please visit our website to learn more about us at www.seamar.org. You may also apply through our Career page at https://www.seamar.org/jobs-general.html