County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under general supervision of a licensed professional staff including, but not limited to, a Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner or Physician within a department of the Health Care Services Agency performs specialized and complex routine medical assisting tasks related to the care and treatment of patients in a health care setting within the scope of a certified medical assistant.

 

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

 

The Medical Assistant differs from the next higher class of a Licensed Vocational Nurse in that the latter provides para-professional nursing care including the administration of specific medications and bedside care under the direction of a Physician and requires a valid license to practice.  The Medical Assistant classification differs from the lower classification of Public Health Nursing Assistant II by performing various medical assisting duties to a level that requires certification and professional training as a Medical Assistant.  Whereas Public Health Nursing Assistants assist nurses in a clinic setting with routine tasks requiring no specialized certification or professional training, and primarily provide education and assistance to persons and families in the community while managing cases in consultation with a Public Health Nurse.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Assists clinical staff including Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners with patient examination preparation including prepping patients, obtaining vital signs and patient health history.

2. Perform routine medical tasks and procedures, including vision tests, urine dipstick tests, pregnancy tests, basic hearing tests, sputum collections, oral HIV & HCV tests, and non-invasive specimen collection.

3. Conduct specialized procedures under the direction of a clinician such as EKG’s, nebulizer treatments, spirometry, wound care as ordered by medical provider.

4. Maintains patient examination areas, cleans, maintains, and sterilizes equipment. Stocks examination rooms, orders medical supplies and equipment.

5. Perform venipuncture for blood draws and provide glucose monitoring, hemoglobin hematocrit, finger sticks for CBC, other phlebotomy procedures, with phlebotomy certification.

6. Perform application and removal of bandages and dressings, application of orthopedic appliances.

7. Medical Assistant may administer physician-ordered intradermal, intramuscular, subcutaneous injections, and immunizations, and perform skin tests, i.e., PPD placement

8. Provide patient education and information about vaccinations. Maintain log of vaccines provided and input vaccine information into state vaccine database.

9. Prepare and transport laboratory specimens

10. Utilize electronic health records system, to monitor patient care, generate and utilize patient panels, and evaluate patient progress.

11. Process, code and complete patient insurance and billing documents.

12. Disposing of biohazard waste according to OSHA standards.

13. Practice appropriate infection control measures including hand washing and the use of standard precautions in all aspects of the job.

14. Participation in panel management activities and in program quality improvement teams.

15. May perform other duties as assigned within job function.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Possession of Certification as a Medical Assistant by an institution authorized to provide Medical Assistant training pursuant to the Medical Board of California.

 

AND

 

Experience:

The equivalent of one year of experience in an outpatient medical setting or Public Health clinic setting performing duties similar to those of a Medical Assistant in Alameda County.

 

License:

Must possess a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.  Possession of a valid phlebotomy license is preferred , but not required.

 

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Basic medical assisting practices and skills and the various types of equipment used.
• Modern medical terminology, chronic health conditions and health education.
• Working with modern computer applications & electronic health records.
• Administration of skin tests and medication by injection.
• Methods of safely lifting and moving patients, equipment and supplies.
• Cleaning and sterilization techniques for medical equipment, examining rooms and patients areas.

Ability to:

• Demonstrate flexibility, ability to work on team-based projects, comfort with direct patient contact, solid interpersonal skills for patient education and coaching
• Use efficient written and verbal communication skills using the English language.
• Lift 10 pounds.
• Stand at least 5 hours per day.
• Complete and maintain accurate and concise patient records, including miscellaneous forms and laboratory requisitions.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

Newspecs: 5982

SG:cs 12/03/12

CSC Date: 2/20/13

NLB:kl  07/29/19

CSC Date: 08/14/2019

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees) 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.