Medical Assistant/Referrals Coordinator

LifeLong Medical Care is looking for a Medical Assistant/Referrals Coordinator at our East Oakland Health Center. The Medical Assistant/Referrals Coordinator is part of a patient-centered care team. Under the supervision of the Medical Records Supervisor, responsibilities include providing specialty referrals, follow-up, data entry and tracking. Performs back-up Medical Assistant duties as needed.

This is a full time, 40 hrs/wk, benefit eligible position.

This position is represented by SEIU-UHW. Salaries and benefits are set by a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), and an employee in this position must remain a member in good standing of SEIU-UHW, as defined in the CBA.

LifeLong Medical Care is a large, multi-site, Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) with a rich history of providing innovative healthcare and social services to a wonderfully diverse patient community. Our patient-centered health home is a dynamic place to work, practice, and grow. We have over 15 primary care health centers and deliver integrated services including psychosocial, referrals, chronic disease management, dental, health education, home visits, and much, much more. LifeLong Medical Care is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from women, people of color, and bilingual and bicultural individuals and members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, marital status, or medical condition.

Benefits

Compensation: $21 - $25/hour. We offer excellent benefits including: medical, dental, vision (including dependent and domestic partner coverage), generous leave benefits including nine paid holidays, Flexible Spending Accounts, 403(b) retirement savings plan.

COVID-19 Vaccine Policy

In accordance with LifeLong Medical Care's commitment to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards, we have adopted a Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccine Policy to safeguard the health of our employees and their families; our patients and visitors; and the community at large from infectious diseases, that vaccinations may reduce. This policy will comply with all applicable laws and is based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Order of the California State Public Health Officer. Unless a reasonable medical or religious accommodation is approved, all employees must receive COVID-19 vaccinations.

Receives referral requests from providers, processed and communicates with providers as needed to clarify.
• Requests urgent appointments as needed.
• Verifies current insurance information.
• Contacts HMO's, PPO's, Medi-Cal/Medicare or other special funding sources to obtain authorizations to ensure reimbursement of services.
• Follows up on all referrals and maintains accurate tracking in NextGen and i2i.
• Coordinates efforts with Health Information Technician to make sure medical report information is received and placed in the chart.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Supervisor.

Medical Assistant

• Utilizes an Electronic Health Record system to document patient registration, chief complaint, vital signs, review of systems, medication and health history, community health measures, including tobacco use and patient tracking.
• Performs patient discharge activities, including but not limited to completion of referral forms, instructions regarding filling prescriptions, making appointments, copying forms and other activities as needed.
• Prepares exam rooms before and after patient examinations according to clinic infection control procedures.
• Performs injection of vaccines and basic in-clinic lab tests including but not limited to urine dipstick, hemoglobin A1C, regular hemoglobin, rapid strep, pregnancy test and glucose level tests as ordered by provider.
• Performs phlebotomy when Lab Technician is not available.
• Performs EKG, ear lavage, audiometry testing and other tests as necessary.
• Provides patient education and information as instructed by clinic practitioners and clinic protocols.
• Cleans, sterilizes and stocks reusable instruments, as needed.
• Test medical and laboratory equipment in accordance with regulatory guidelines.
• Chart prep

• Commitment to the provision of primary care services for the underserved with demonstrated ability and sensitivity in working with a variety of people from low-income populations, with diverse educational, lifestyle, ethnic and cultural origins.
• Strong organizational, administrative, multi-tasking, prioritization and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure in a positive friendly manner and to be flexible and adaptive to change.
• Ability to effectively present information to others, including other employees, community partners and vendors.
• Ability to seek direction/approval on essential matters, yet work independently with little onsite supervision, using professional judgment and diplomacy.
• Work in a team-oriented environment with a number of professionals with different work styles and support needs.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written skills.
• Conduct oneself in internal and external settings in a way that reflects positively on LifeLong Medical Care as an organization of professional, confident and sensitive staff.
• Ability to see how one's work intersects with that of other departments of LifeLong Medical Care and that of other partner organizations.
• Make appropriate use of knowledge/ expertise/ connections of other staff.
• Be creative and mature with a "can do", proactive attitude and an ability to continuously "scan" the environment, identifying and taking advantage of opportunities for improvement.

Job Requirements

• High school diploma or GED and successful completion of an accredited Medical Assistant Program.
• Three years of administrative experience in a medical or human services setting.
• Knowledge of medical terminology and insurance.
• Experience with electronic health records.
• Proficient in Microsoft office Word, Excel, Outlook and Internet and ability to type 50 wpm.

Job Preferences

• College degree in related field.
• Community or Public Health experience.
• EPIC experience.