Medical Assistant Intern

Job Description

About the Company

The job description is for Peninsula Behavioral Health, an organization committed to providing healthcare services, likely specializing in behavioral or mental health, given the focus on “clients with chronic mental illness” and “medication support services.” The organization emphasizes a non-discriminatory environment, ensuring equal opportunity regardless of disability, race, creed, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy, age, veteran status, or use of a service animal. They operate with strict adherence to Federal (42 CFR, Part 2) and Washington State (RCW 71.05.390 and RCW 71.24) regulations regarding client confidentiality.

About the Job: Medical Assistant Intern

This is an internship position designed for individuals currently enrolled in a college-level Certified Medical Assistant Program who are eligible for practicum placement.

Position Title: Medical Assistant Intern

Reports To: Nursing Services Director

Job Purpose:
The Medical Assistant Intern plays a crucial supporting role within Nursing Services. The primary purpose is to provide clinical assistance to clients who require medication support services. This involves performing routine in-house testing, assisting with medication services at residential facilities and the Clallam County Respite Center, and maintaining effective communication with pharmacies and other medical providers within the community.

Key Responsibilities and Duties:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Direct Client Care: Providing observation, intervention, and stabilization for clients with chronic mental illness.
• Clinical Services: Administering medications (oral and injectables), monitoring vital signs, assessing physical parameters, checking medication compliance, and observing for side effects.
• Patient Information Gathering: Obtaining medical history, reconciling medications, and identifying chief complaints.
• In-house Testing: Performing EKG, phlebotomy, urine dips, genetic testing, and other ordered in-house tests.
• Administrative Support: Processing refill requests and prior authorizations according to department procedures.
• Documentation: Meticulously documenting client care following Nursing Services guidelines and standards using electronic medical records (EMR) and electronic prescribing systems.
• Client & Staff Education: Teaching and evaluating training for clients and staff regarding medication self-administration programs.
• Team Collaboration: Working collaboratively with all clinical staff and supervisors.
• Order Management: Monitoring, administering, and following up on prescribed medical treatments, medications, and laboratory tests as per provider orders.
• Side Effect Monitoring: Collaborating with staff to observe for medication side effects and reporting them to providers for appropriate interventions.
• Accurate Transcription: Accurately transcribing provider’s orders, maintaining records, and completing documentation while ensuring confidentiality.
• External Communication: Communicating accurately and efficiently with outside care providers, including pharmacies and primary care teams.
• Availability: While typical workdays are during normal hours, some evening and weekend hours may be required.
• Confidentiality & Security: Maintaining strict familiarity with and adherence to Federal and State regulations concerning client and staff confidentiality, including physical security of confidential materials and agency property.

Secondary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Program Support: Providing support to medication programs at Arlene Engel House and Clallam County Respite Center.
• Medical Staff Assistance: Screening and referring client phone calls and walk-ins to medical staff as appropriate.
• Equipment Maintenance: Performing routine checks on E-Kit, AED machine, and other identified equipment.
• Professional Development: Participating in staffing discussions, trainings, staff meetings, and individual supervision as assigned.
• Other Duties: Performing additional duties as assigned to support department operations.

Performance Expectations:

• Data Entry Accuracy: Accurately entering client records into the EMR and prescribing software.
• Professionalism: Adhering to attendance, punctuality, and professional conduct expectations.
• Timeliness: Administering expected duties in a timely fashion.
• Meeting Attendance: Attending a minimum of 90% of required meetings, staffing, trainings, and educational opportunities.

Required Qualifications:

• Education: High school graduate or GED; current enrollment in a college-level Certified Medical Assistant Program and eligibility for practicum placement.
• Licensure: Eligibility for a license as a Medical Assistant – Certified in Washington State upon completion of the Medical Assistant program. This position is specifically designed for practicum placement.
• Experience: Current enrollment in a college-level Medical Assistant program and eligibility for practicum placement.
• Additional Requirements:
• Ability to pass a pre-employment drug test and background check.
• Provision of vaccination records for MMR, Hep B, Tdap, and a recent flu shot.

Preferred Additional Credentials / Experience:

• Experience: Psychiatric experience is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Essential:

• Age-Specific Knowledge: Demonstrated knowledge and skills necessary to provide care to both adult and pediatric clients.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Technical Proficiency: Ability to learn and utilize Electronic Medical Records (EMR) systems.
• Teamwork: Willingness to work collaboratively as a team member.
• Independence: Ability to work independently and be a self-starter.
• Medication Administration: Working knowledge of medication administration.
• Attention to Detail: Strong attention to details.
• Crisis Management: Ability to manage crises effectively.

Nature and Scope:

Physical Demands:

• Physical Effort: Moderate physical effort (ability to lift/carry up to 25 pounds).
• Mobility: Frequent standing and walking; occasional lifting of supplies and equipment.
• Protective Equipment: Maintenance of Standard Precautions and appropriate use of barriers (gloves, masks, aprons, goggles, etc.) and industrial precautions in all potential exposure tasks.
• Exposure: Rarely exposed to clients exhibiting aggressive behaviors.

Cognitive Skills:

• Requires excellent verbal and written communication, EMR proficiency, teamwork, independent work, knowledge of medication administration, attention to detail, and crisis management.

Working Environment:

• Conditions: Clean, well-lit, and ventilated office.
• Exposure: Potential exposure to infections and contagious diseases; occasional exposure to patients exhibiting assaultive behaviors.

Working Demands:

• Pressure: Frequent pressure due to schedule demands.
• Patient Contact: Regular contact with patients under a wide variety of circumstances.
• Situational Variability: Subject to varying and unpredictable situations.

Principal Challenges:

• Working collaboratively with clients, other employees, and multiple community referral sources.
• Ensuring the safety of clients at all times.