Medical Assistant

Career opportunities abound at SOUND! 
SOUND Behavioral Health is growing, and we are hiring a medical assistant in Auburn, WA! We offer a supportive working environment, excellent and abundant supervision, and opportunities for professional growth.

Sound clinicians are focused on demonstrating compassion, patience, and understanding when treating clients. We believe in and advocate for Diversity, Equity, Justice, and Inclusion for our team and clients.

Medical assistants at Sound perform duties to assist our healthcare professionals in the examination and treatment of patients and family: conduct basic diagnostic tests, provide patient care coordination and education, and perform clinical/reception functions. They will also communicate with physicians and team members about patients' medical conditions, including symptoms and results of diagnostic tests, as well as follow-up as directed by the provider.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES

• Prepare paperwork and medical records for the clinic visit. Verify presence of medical records and diagnostic testing (lab work and images) prior to scheduled appointments, request existing records and x-rays as necessary.
• Prepare exam rooms for patient care, assuring that rooms are cleaned, organized, and stocked before each patient visit.
• Properly identify patients prior to rooming, performing procedures, injections, etc.
• Prepare the patient for examination by the provider. Observe and document the patient's physical and emotional condition and vital signs in the medical record, recognize and report symptoms of common medical illnesses to the physician or nurse.
• Perform procedures including ear irrigation, dressing changes, immunization administration, bladder scans, basic laboratory examinations, venipuncture, pregnancy testing, and throat cultures, as ordered by the provider. Notify RN of orders that cannot be done by the medical assistant.
• Inform the provider of test results. Follow clinic-specific procedures related to test follow-up and patient notification.
• Assist during patient examination and procedures performed by health care professionals; monitor patient condition following procedures.
• Monitor patient flow in the clinic to ensure efficient clinic operations.
• Assist other Medical Assistants as necessary.
• Assess and respond to prescription and pharmacy requests
• Reconcile and generate patient medication lists.
• Obtain preauthorization for medications and procedures.
• Provide basic telephone screening and recognize emergent/urgent problems and direct to the nurse or physician.
• Schedule new and return appointments, consultations, and procedures, including ancillary appointments and procedures.
• Coordinate clerical patient care activities and/or specialized technical duties to ensure accurate and expedited patient check-in and discharge, including obtaining consents for care and referral information.
• Transport lab specimens.
• Complete and submit billing documents in a timely manner.
• Maintain infection control standards, including hand hygiene and appropriate use of personal protective attire
• Demonstrate proficiency in the use of scheduling and electronic medical record systems.
• Perform all other functions as assigned by the Chief Medical Officer.
• Understand, apply, synthesize, and demonstrate recovery concepts in behavioral health.

KEY WORK RELATIONSHIPS

Establishes and maintains positive, ethical, and professional working relationships with clinical team members, clients, and outside organizations. Relates to a wide variety of people, including members of ethnic and sexual minority populations, and is respectful of individual and cultural differences.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED) required. 
• AA/AS in Behavioral Sciences preferred. 
• Completion of a Medical Assistant course accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) or other recognized regional or national accreditation board; or equivalent education/experience.
• Minimum 2 years' experience in human services or with special needs population required, if educational level is high school or GED. No experience required if educational level is AA or above

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Strong commitment to working with individuals with a mental illness/personal care needs.
• Ability to interview clients and take vital signs.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Good problem-solving skills.
• Willingness to work as a team member.
• Ability to learn new tasks and skills quickly.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks effectively.
• Ability to manage crises with professionalism.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

• Must be able to obtain a WA State Medical Assistant-Registered credential within the first 60 days of hire. 
• Individuals currently possessing a WA State Nursing Assistant-Certified, Nursing Assistant-Registered, or Medical Assistant-Certified credential are preferred and will meet the requirement for a WA credential. 
• Must pass a criminal background check. 
• Must have a WA state driver's license and an insurable driving record as well as reliable transportation.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

To successfully perform the essential duties of this position, an individual must be able to sit at a desk for four or more hours a day and use office equipment, including phones and computer keyboards, for four or more hours per day. Individuals must be able to engage vendors, team members, clients, and others over the phone and in person by voice. Regular attendance is an essential function of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to assist individuals with disabilities to perform essential position functions.

LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER 

The above position description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work performed; it is not intended as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and required skills for the position. Team members will be required to follow any other Position-related instructions and to perform other duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and State laws. Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and/or abilities necessary to perform each duty proficiently. Continued employment remains on an "at-will" basis.