Certified Medical Assistant

Salud Para La Gente (Salud) provides high quality, comprehensive and cost-effective healthcare to underserved low-income communities in the Monterey Bay area, including Santa Cruz County and North Monterey County. We began in Watsonville in 1978 as a storefront “free clinic,” and with the ever growing need for health services in 1992 became a federally qualified community health center (FQHC). Today we are a primary health care network with 11 clinic sites, over 400 employees, and continue to provide high quality services to patients of all ages.

Salud offers a competitive salary and benefits package and a collaborative culture that values excellence, achievement, innovation and compassion.

• Serve as member of care team and customer service representative to bridge communication between the health center, provider, and the patient.
• Maintain and protect patient confidentiality and privacy. Adhere to state and federal privacy laws.
• Ensure patient visits are effective and efficient through Chart Prep: review upcoming appointments to determine if labs, diagnostic tests, referrals and consult reports were completed and obtain results as necessary; review for health maintenance reminders due and that medication contracts are current.
• Prepare exam room for visit. Ensure room is stocked with necessary supplies, instruments and equipment appropriate for the visit;
  Clean room and sanitize equipment between patients.
• Room patient:
  Obtain vitals (BMI, blood pressure, pupil assessment, etc.), reason for visit and health history appropriate to the visit type. Complete pre-visit questionnaires or forms. Document in patient chart.
• Perform in-house tests, assessments and evaluations appropriate to the visit type. Document test results in chart and notify provider of values outside of range. Perform in-house imaging or scanning under physician supervision (retinal photography, EKG, NST, etc.). Adhere to in-house lab procedures for CLIA-waived instruments.
• Under clinician order/supervision, prepare and assist/perform in-house treatments and procedures (ear lavage, I&D, etc.)
• Process lab orders for specimens and medical devices appropriate to visit; prepare for pick-up.
• Under clinician order, prepare and administer medications, pharmaceuticals and immunizations according to manufacturers’ instructions. Confirm with ordering provider. Provide patient with information about medication/pharmaceutical/immunization. Document in patient chart and complete other documentation/reporting requirements (e.g. PM160, CAIR, etc.). Adhere to storage and transport requirements.
• Prepare radiology orders for outside imaging (x-rays, CT, Mammogram, etc.). If needed, assist patient with scheduling appointment.
• Discharge patient: provide discharge instructions to patient and clarify patient questions. Provide patient with visit summary and schedule follow-up appointment.
• Coordinate the completion and processing of paperwork in a timely manner including but not limited to: disability forms, durable medical equipment authorizations, medication and treatment authorizations, school forms, DMV forms, MMR, etc.
• Conduct patient recall:
  Follow-up with patients who no-show or cancel important appointments and schedule them back;
  Schedule post-hospital discharge follow-up appointments;
  Notify patients due for important tests and visits and schedule appointments. Document communication in patient chart.
• Call in medication refills to pharmacy ordered by provider.
• With provider approval and instruction, notify patient of normal test results.
• Encourage patients to enroll in Mi Salud patient portal.
• Link patient to additional services and supports including but not limited to Community Health Services, group education programs, health coaching and information on community resources.
• Utilize a multidisciplinary approach to resolving problems that affect patient’s receipt of timely information and services.
• Anticipate patient needs, deliver services, and respond to patients in a timely, accurate, courteous, respectful and friendly manner to advocate for care that best serves the patient.
• Consistently…