Certified Medical Assistant at Cowlitz Indian Tribe in Tukwila, WA

POSITION TITLE: Certified Medical Assistant

DEPARTMENT: Health and Human Services (HHS) – Behavioral Health

LOCATION: Tukwila, Washington

REPORTS TO: Nurse Care Supervisor

STATUS: Hourly; Full-Time

WAGE RANGE: $27.15 - $31.25 per hour

CLOSING DATE: Open Until Filled

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

Position Summary:

Contributes to the effectiveness of the client care team by providing clinical and administrative support. Assists providers in direct patient care according to scope of practice standards, established policies, procedures, and protocols. Maintains professionalism in all interactions with internal and external stakeholders. Adheres to HIPAA and confidentiality requirements. Honors and represents the mission, vision, and values of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe (CIT) and the Health and Human Services (HHS) department.

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

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Receives/greets clients, assists them with the check-in process and directs them to an appropriate area for their appointment.
• Obtains the client’s reason for visit, pertinent medical history, allergies, current medications, pharmacy preference, vital signs, and any other specified patient information and accurately enters it into the client’s electronic medical record for immediate review by the provider.
• Performs various point-of-care urine tests, as well as venipuncture for send-out bloodwork orders, while adhering to established policies, procedures, and appropriate infection prevention measures.
• Accurately completes and labels send-out laboratory request forms and specimens.
• Complies with all CIT infection control policies, protocols, and procedures.
• Cleans and prepares examination/treatment rooms for in-person appointments and ensures clients with telehealth visits have the necessary electronic components functioning appropriately beforehand.
• Provides client assistance with medication management, when clinically indicated
• Assists providers with the care and treatment of a client’s minor illness or injuries to include gathering supplies, cleaning up after care, application of a simple wound dressing, ACE wrap application, or sling, as needed.
• Assists with inventory control and initiates the ordering process for client care/treatment supplies and materials.
• Administers medications or treatments as ordered by the Provider, according to CMA’s scope of practice and under appropriate clinical supervision.
• Schedules/verifies appointments, assists clients in preparing for telehealth visits, obtains provider authorizations for pharmacy or client medication requests.
• Assists with administrative, reception, or other clerical tasks as needed.
• Reviews the next day's schedule, retrieves, organizes, and ensures appropriate questionnaires are completed prior to appointments, prepares patient charts, and makes other appointment preparations as requested.
• Maintains compliance with all required annual training and competency assessments.
• Attends and participates in meetings, as requested.
• Maintains current knowledge of, and compliance with, CIT policies, protocols, and procedures, adapting personal work practices to align with any revisions or changes identified.
• Completes training: Information Security System Awareness (ISSA) education, EPIC/Ochin training, MedTrainer learning modules, all-staff mandatory education, facility-wide drills, competency skill assessments, and other assigned training.
• Works collaboratively in a team environment to achieve shared goals.
• Performance of other duties, not listed above, may be added to the Medical Assistant's responsibilities after it is determined that the identified task is within their scope of practice, the appropriate training has been provided, and, if indicated, competency has been assessed and satisfactorily met.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of traditional forms of tribal government, customs, and traditions.
• Knowledge of basic medical terminology and familiarity with navigating electronic medical records, confidentiality requirements, and basic understanding of some of the elements required when documenting in a client's medical record.
• Knowledge of patient registration, MyChart client access and use, healthcare front office functions, procedures, and responsibilities.
• Basic knowledge/understanding of the most common Behavioral Health diagnoses and treatment or care options provided.
• Basic knowledge/understanding of common psychiatric medications and medications used to treat substance use disorders and their risks.
• Knowledge of regulations and requirements related to HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance providers, and requirements regarding steps for obtaining prior authorization for care.
• Skill in operating and working within various electronic platforms: Microsoft Office, SharePoint, Paycom, etc.
• Skill/experience navigating and documenting within electronic health record platforms.
• Skill/experience in providing and documenting patient education.
• Written and verbal communication is clear, effective, and professional.
• Able to establish and maintain a positive, respectful, inclusive, and collaborative rapport with clients, their family members, co-workers, visitors, and Tribal Members.
• Ability to conceptualize client and family experiences through a culturally and historically informed lens.
• Ability to appropriately prioritize multiple, simultaneously occurring tasks and requests.
• Ensures that daily tasks are completed while appropriately addressing any high-priority items.
• Ability to utilize good judgment while understanding one’s own personal strengths and limitations.
• Reasonable and appropriate decision-making skills, while acknowledging scope of practice and understanding when to ask for assistance or clarification.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School Diploma/GED.
• Three years of work experience as a certified medical assistant.
• Two years of behavioral health and/or substance use disorder work experience preferred.
• An active Certified Medical Assistant (MA-C) credential in Washington State is required.
• A valid driver’s license is required when driving CIT vehicles for work-related purposes.
• Obtain and maintain BLS/CPR, AED, and first aid certifications. (Only in-person/classroom courses are accepted).
• Must be able to successfully pass a background screening/investigation according to the established requirements below.

Tribal preference in accordance with the 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).

Background Investigation Requirements:

• Pre-employment drug screen.
• Personal and professional reference checks and employment verification.
• Federal, state, and/or tribal criminal history and sanction checks including fingerprint verification.
• 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 sit, stand, use hands and fingers for a variety of tasks, talk, and hear. The employee occasionally is required to walk and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 20lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and clarity of vision at long distance.

Work Environment:

Work is generally performed in an office/clinical setting with a moderate noise level. Employee may be exposed to bodily fluids, bloodborne pathogens, and infectious diseases. Overnight travel and/or evening and/or weekend work may occasionally be required.