Medical Assistant - Patient Screener

Valley AIDS Council is a non-profit organization delivering healthcare specialty (prevention and treatment) services and education to the residents of the Rio Grande Valley and surrounding areas.

Valley AIDS Council d/b/a Westbrook Clinic

Job Title: R/C Medical Assistant – Patient Screener - Harlingen, Tx

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Reports To: Director of Clinical Operations

EMPLOYEE RISK FACTOR I: Performs tasks that involve exposure or potential exposure to blood, body fluids or body tissue, or other potentially contaminated materials.

SUMMARY:

We are seeking a compassionate and knowledgeable Medical Assistant -Patient Screener to join our dedicated team at a sexual health & wellness, prevention and treatment clinic. This position involves assisting in the delivery of comprehensive care, ensuring a supportive and professional environment for patients, and collaborating with healthcare teams to manage treatment plans effectively. In this role, you will provide critical support to patients by assessing their needs over the phone, offering education and guidance, and coordinating care with the clinical team. Commitment to the philosophy, purpose and goals of Valley AID Council/ Westbrook Clinic.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Respond to patient calls promptly, addressing concerns, symptoms, or questions related to HIV/STI/PrEP care, treatment, and overall health.
• Provide patients with information about HIV/STI/PrEP management, medications, and preventive care measures.
• Managing patient communication, including the booking, confirming, canceling and rescheduling of appointments.
• Act at a liaison between insurance agencies and patients through the timely completion of prior authorizations for medications and/or procedures. Drafting correspondence on behalf of the healthcare facility.
• Maintaining electric medical records, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and confidentiality, and retrieving patient records as needed for appointments, referrals, and medical inquiries.
• Conduct health screenings, including measuring vital signs, i.e. blood pressure, pulse, respirations, temperature, oxygen saturation, random blood glucose tests, hip and waist circumference, and performing diagnostic tests, i.e. HIV ½ Ab/Ag Alere tests, HIV ½ Ab INSTI tests, Hepatitis C Ab OraQuick tests, rapid strep and influenza tests, urine pregnancy tests, and urine dipstick testing.
• Collect detailed chief complaints, reconciliation of current medications, past medical history, allergies, gynecological history, obstetric history, surgical history, hospitalizations, family history, social history, including tobacco use, detailed sexual history, drug and alcohol use, psychosocial history, family planning screening, and mental health screenings, i.e. PHQ2, PHQ9, GAD7, and MoCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment).
• Ensures about proper operational procedures of medical and administrative equipment by verifying availability, completing preventive maintenance requirements, , troubleshooting malfunctions, repairs, maintaining equipment inventories, and evaluating and replacement of new equipment and techniques.
• Performs phlebotomy and assists in the collection and processing of blood fluid specimens and other basic tests as per physician orders.
• Follows universal precautions to maintain a safe and clean working environment by implementing infection control procedures, rules, and regulations, including cleaning and disinfecting medical section/exam rooms and equipment.
• Protects patients and employees by implementing policies and protocols, and by enforcing medication administration, storage procedures, and controlled substance in accordance with Texas regulations and policy and procedure of VAC.
• Maintains patient confidence and protects operations by complying with strict informed consent and confidentiality guidelines and HIPAA regulations.
• Communicating with patients and clinicians professionally.
• Provide guidance and education on specialty pharmacies/medications.
• Ensure adherence to health and safety protocols.
• Collaborate with healthcare professionals to coordinate patient care.
• Must comply with program training requirements according to VAC policies, program and funding requirements.
• Participate in health promotion and education/awareness campaigns and community events.
• May assist other medical staff to perform Floor MA duties or Scribe duties.
• Must abide HIPAA regulations to safeguard protected health information and other sensitive information.
• Must attend departmental and organizational meetings and attend mandatory trainings.
• Must follow all agency rules and regulations including but not limited to Employee Handbook and safety protocols and programmatic.
• Other duties as required and assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS: EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• High School Graduate or equivalent.
• Graduate from a Medical Assistant Program from an accredited school. Must be certified or registered by an accreted program such as American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) or the American Medical Technologists (AMT) or similar entities. BLS certified.
• One year of experience in a clinical setting, preferably in infectious disease or HIV care, treatment, antiretroviral therapy (ART), and associated conditions highly desired.
• Experience working in an HIV clinic highly desired.
• Experience with electronic health records (EHR) systems is a plus.
• Reliable transportation, liability insurance and active Texas driver’s license.
• Experience of working for non-profit organizations is preferred.
• QUALIFICATIONS – KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:
• Ability to speak fluent English; ability to handwrite legibly; ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals. Ability to communicate fluently in Spanish is required.
• Strong knowledge of HIV care, including treatment regimens, lab results, and monitoring parameters.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written and strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Compassionate and empathetic with ability to relate to target population from l walks of life.
• Ability to communicate effectively and with tact highly sensitive information.
• ability to participate effectively as a team member and contribute to a positive work environment.
• Detail-oriented with a high level of accuracy in documentation and data entry.
• Proficient with EHR systems and basic medical office technology.
• Ability to handle sensitive topics with empathy and cultural competence.
• Ability to respect individuality and be culturally sensitive: Understand the struggles and experiences such as homelessness and mental health for example.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, specifically Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams, Groupsite, and Zoom Health. Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment and establish and maintain effective, courteous working relationships with patients, staff members, insurance entities and others and participate effectively as a team member and patient focused.
• Presents self in a professional manner, dress and actions.
• Must be able to work under conditions of constant interruption and be able to stay on task and follow through. Willingness to work a flexible schedule to meet job requirements.
• Ability to multitask and work independently. Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS:

• State of Texas Class “C” Driver’s License. BLS certification.
• Maintain active Medical Assistant registration or certifications consistent with Westbrook Clinic policy and accrediting body.
• Flexibility to travel, if needed, overnight or from clinic site to site and to work events organized by VAC/Westbrook Clinic outside of normal business hours.
• Commitment to the philosophy, purpose and goals of Valley AIDS Council/Westbrook Clinic.

EQUIPMENT USED:

Working knowledge of thermometers, EKG machine, Glucometer, Automated External Defibrillator, and blood pressure machine. Requires frequent use of personal computer, including word processing and spreadsheet applications, electronic health record; operate general office equipment and safely operate automobile to travel from site to site.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS and WORKING CONDITIONS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand and walk for extended periods of time as well as sit, talk, and actively listen. Ability to lift or carry up to 30 lbs. with or without assistance. Work is predominantly performed in an office setting where the noise level is usually quiet.

This job description should not be interpreted as all-inclusive or as an employment agreement between the employer and employee. It is intended to identify the essential functions and requirements of this job and is subject to change as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change. Incumbents may be required to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $13.50 per hour

Benefits:

• 403(b)
• 403(b) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Free parking
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Vision insurance
• Wellness program

Ability to Commute:

• Harlingen, TX 78550 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Harlingen, TX 78550: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person