Medical Assistant - HIV/STI

CLASSIFICATION/STATUS: Non-Exempt, Full Time, Permanent

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: Nurse Manager

ADDITIONAL SUPERVISION: Director of Quality and Population Health

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None

PAY RANGE: Band C ($24.50 - $31.50/hour)

****Earn up to an additional $1,000 annually in retention and performance bonuses

WHO YOU ARE:

YOUR ROLE & IMPACT

The mission of Charles River Community Health (CRCH) is to partner with individuals and families so they can thrive and lead healthier lives by delivering the comprehensive, integrated, and equitable primary healthcare that matters most to them. The Medical Assistant - HIV/STI will perform a variety of clinical and administrative tasks to keep the Medical Department running smoothly. The duties of Medical Assistant - HIV/STI include but are not limited to taking medical histories, taking vital signs, managing patient flow, faxing, prescription requests, inventory and stocking, preparing instruments for use as well as any other duty assigned by supervisors.

Additionally, this Medical Assistant - HIV/STI would include coordinating care under the guidance of the HIV Prevention Team as well as managing and executing administrative tasks for the HIV program.?The HIV program is in the beginning stages of development and CRCH is seeking individuals motivated to assist in building this program from the ground up. This role will assist with developing relationships with community partners to better identify outreach and education strategies in surrounding community. This position will work the CRCH teams to develop outreach campaigns relating to HIV/STI prevention.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

Primary Care Services – 50%

• Coordinate unit flow and monitor waiting area.
• Escort patients to examination room, take and record patient history and vital signs such as height, weight, pulse, blood pressure, temperature, etc. for adults and children.
• Perform and mount electrocardiograms (EKGs), and 3 DERM.
• Obtain urine and blood samples and run point of care testing such as INR, A1C, HCG, Hb, Glucose, IH Lipids, Rapid HIV etc. Prepare specimens for transport to outside lab. Provide lab coverage for all clinical patients including MAH Prenatal.
• Perform vision and hearings tests. Record information in charts as required.
• Ensure that all required forms and or screenings such as PEDS, PHQ, MCHAT, Food Insecurity, C3 RAF forms, PVPs, GADS, SBIRTS, Tobacco Cessation, Fall Risk Assessments, School and Camp Forms, Procedure Consents, and Release of Medical Records are distributed, completed, and entered correctly.
• Assist Provider during examinations and in minor procedures when necessary as well as in their school sessions.
• During an acute medical emergency, act as liaison with other Health Center personnel, ambulance service and hospital. Must exhibit professionalism under stress. Assist providers with treatment during emergency.
• Prepare, administer, and document vaccines for immunizations as directed by a physician or other licensed provider.
• Complete CRCH vaccine administration training (Vaccine for Children SOP, which includes storage and handling, VIS, order verification, scheduling, vaccine preparation, administration, documentation, and reporting).
• Willingness to support training needs for students and internships as requested.
• Provide emotional support to patients during routine and emergency visits to Center.
• Provide follow up communication by phone or mail with patients.
• Handle phone calls and book appointments as appropriate. Cover check out when needed.
• Wash, wrap, and prepare all instruments for sterilization. Assist with daily cleaning of rooms, stocking and maintenance of all inventory and supplies.
• Provide skilled interpreting services within the department, and if available, to other parts of the Health Center.
• Work within his/her assigned team, to ensure that daily tasks are being done and assistance is being provided to the team such as inventory, scrubbing scheduled, and covering sessions.
• Assist with the organization of ongoing in-service education within the Health Center and with outside agencies.
• Participate in community outreach activities.
• Maintain current patient education and referral information system in consultation with the staff.
• Participate in training and orienting of new staff.
• Work collaboratively with other Health Center staff in meeting JCAHO accreditation and other regulatory and/or funding requirements.
• Attend and participate in team lead meetings, monthly staff meetings, and other activities that the Health Center promotes.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Nurse Manager or designee.

STI/HIV Prevention Program – 50%

• Communicate with medical team to increase HIV/STI screenings rates set forth are working and consult with HIV Prevention Coordinator when needed.
• Along with the HIV Prevention Coordinator and STI/HIV Clinical Coordinator, attend initial and continuing education training programs, TA meetings, and EHE Steering Committee meetings.
• Communicate with patients in a sensitive way with a focus on cultural and linguistic needs of diverse populations.
• Record patient history and collect vital signs of patients, conduct initial patient assessments by collecting demographic information, risk assessment screening for HIV, sexual history while providing education on testing and prevention.
• Maintain concise and accurate documentation according to departmental standards including MA DPH forms, internal database, and support HIV Prevention Coordinator with other reporting required by HRSA.
• Support the HIV Prevention Coordinator in community outreach/ tabling efforts to promote awareness, HIV rapid testing, PrEP social media campaigns, collaboration with other organization and resources sharing related to HIV care. This includes providing interpretation services if able.
• • Facilitate access to essential financial assistance programs for medications and healthcare services, ensuring patients receive the critical support they need for their health.
• Assist/facilitate in PrEP refills with provider/ pharmacy staff, and assist with medication delivery.
• Organize and maintain appropriate educational materials and supplies to targeted efforts.
• Support the STI/HIV Clinical Coordinator during examinations and procedures related to HIV care, such as STI screenings and hepatitis vaccinations.
• Work with other members of Population Health team as needed to meet overall team goals.

YOUR QUALIFICATIONS, COMPETENCIES, TRAITS

• Educational Medical Assistant Certificate required.?
• High School Diploma or equivalent required.??
• BLS or CPR Certificate required. ?
• Must maintain current Medical Assistant certification to administer vaccines. Medical Assistant is required to submit CCMA or CRMA to HR/Credentialing within 6 months of start date.????
• Medical Staff at CRCH are credentialed in accordance to regulation 243, CMR 3.05 of the Massachusetts Board of Register for Medicine.??
• Bilingual with strong written and oral communication skill in English/Spanish or English/Portuguese required.
• Clinic is open 8:30am-7:00pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays; 8:30am-5:00pm on Fridays; and 8:30am-1:00pm on Saturdays. Required to work from 8:15am-5:00pm, as well as Evenings and Saturdays as needed in both locations.??
• Bilingual with strong written and oral communication skill in English/Spanish or English/Portuguese preferred??
• Must be interested in getting continuous trainings related to STI, PrEP and HIV.
• Experience in infectious disease and harm reduction with a focus in STI/HIV care preferred.
• Must be open increasing comfortability while discussing sexual health related questions and care with patients.
• Must be able to demonstrate understanding of program development, ability to overcome barriers, and innovative thinking.
• Must be able to communicate well within an interdisciplinary team.
• Must be able to adapt to the schedule and working style of assigned provider(s).?
• Must be mature, responsible, and team oriented.?
• Willingness to support training needs for students and internships as requested.?
• Ability to work under pressure and flexibility to function in a changing environment.?
• Must have a willingness to work flexible hours to meet the organization's needs/demands.?
• Must be able to travel to either Charles River Community Health site (Brighton and Waltham) as needed.?
• Must have excellent communication skills, particularly with people from diverse cultures, with the ability to understand the community, population, and patients we serve.??
• Must have experience in diverse cultures, with strong commitment to promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and reducing inequities.?
• Must believe in the work we do at CRCH, with a strong passion to serve underserved populations in diverse settings.

WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE DO

Charles River Community Health’s mission is to partner with individuals and families so they can thrive and lead healthier lives by delivering the comprehensive, integrated, and equitable primary healthcare that matters most to them.

CRCH is a comprehensive practice providing medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, optical, and vision services to diverse underserved local communities. We serve over 13,500 patients annually, and 90% of those served are low income, while over 70% need services in a language other than English.

We are committed to providing patients with timely access to the right care, at the right place and at the right time, collaborating with other organizations to connect patients with a comprehensive range of services and provide continuity of care, and creating new community partnerships to meet the changing needs of patients and the community.

We value caring for everyone with dignity, respect, and compassion, reducing cultural, financial and other barriers to care, and eliminating health care disparities for our patients. We also advocate for the needs of our patients, the community, and public health causes.

OUR PROMISE

If you are passionate about providing service excellence in a mission-driven, team-oriented, and progressive organization, you will find your career as Medical Assistant - HIV/STI rewarding and impactful! You will also find a partner in your career path goals and trajectory!

OUR BENEFITS & PERKS

Medical, Vision & Dental Insurance

Short, Long-term Disability, Life Insurance

Generous Paid Time Off

Flexible Spending Account

Employee Assistance Program

Tickets at Work

Health Reimbursement Arrangement

Travel Reimbursement

Professional Development Opportunities

Solid track record of developing and promoting employees internally!

Charles River Community Health is strongly committed to diversity and a workplace environment that respects, appreciates and values employee differences and similarities. By providing and supporting a work culture that fosters and builds upon diversity and its strengths, CRCH will better serve our local communities and continue to provide quality patient care and services. CRCH is an employment at-will organization and an equal opportunity employer committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, CRCH prohibits retaliation against an applicant or employee because he or she has engaged in protected activity under the statutes prohibiting discrimination in the workplace.