POSITION:  Medical Assistant

DEPARTMENT:  Department of Health

UNIT:  Nursing

WORK SCHEDULE:  M-F 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

JOB CATEGORY: PAT (Professional, Administrative, Technological)

SALARY: $50,515/year

STATUS:  Full-Time

FLSA STATUS:  Non-exempt

DATES: Until filled

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function. The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required. St. Joseph County provides reasonable accommodations to qualified employees and applicants with known disabilities who require accommodation to complete the application process or perform essential functions of the job unless those accommodations would present an undue hardship.

Incumbent serves as Medical Assistant for the St. Joseph County Department of Health, responsible for providing healthcare and education to County residents, ensuring compliance with established policies, practices, regulations, and professional and public health standards.

Benefits

Affordable Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans

Paid Time Off (PTO) with generous accruals

Employer Paid Life Insurance coverage

Short-Term and Long-Term Disability (STD/LTD)

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for healthcare and dependent care

Gym Membership Discounts to encourage wellness

Employer-Funded PERF (Public Employees' Retirement Fund)

Access to additional voluntary benefits and resources

Responsibilities

Incumbent ensures proper implementation of public health programs, including examining, educating, testing, and treating individuals. Goals and objectives of incumbent’s work are known, and work is reviewed primarily for compliance with Department policy and legal requirements. Decisions are restricted by only the broadest policy and/or guidance from supervisor, and unusual circumstances are discussed with supervisor at incumbent’s discretion.

Advises patients on needed routine vaccinations for various age groups based on Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines.

Registers patients, recording demographic information, preparing patient charts, and entering medical details such as prior vaccines.

Reviews patient records to ensure accurate immunizations are being administered, explains to patients what immunizations are being administered, and provides information regarding immunizations, possible side effects, and remedies for side effects.

Prepares immunizations for injection using sterile technique, administers immunizations under the supervision of Registered Nurse or Medical Doctor, and monitors patients for signs of anaphylactic reaction. Reviews patient assessments for contraindications. Prints and provides vaccine records for patients.

Educates the public on vaccine preventable diseases and periodically assists with conducting off-site vaccination clinics.

Qualifications

Working knowledge of health and social services available to St. Joseph County residents, with ability to implement public health programs and facilitate referrals as appropriate.

Ability to effectively listen, comprehend, and communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, other County and City departments, state departments and agencies, medical laboratories, healthcare providers, and the public, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities, and disabilities. 

Education/Experience

Possession of required certifications and training, including valid Medical Assistant certification, certification in Vaccines A-Z or equivalent, and other areas as required for public health programs and operations.

Physical Requirements

Incumbent performs duties primarily in standard office and medical clinic environments and client homes, involving sitting/walking at will, sitting/standing/walking for long periods, lifting/ carrying objects weighing less than 50 pounds, pushing/pulling objects, bending, reaching, crouching/kneeling, keyboarding, handling/grasping/fingering objects, close/far vision, color/depth perception, hearing sounds/ communication, and speaking clearly. Incumbent is exposed to irate/difficult persons. Incumbent is regularly exposed to normal health hazards associated with public health nursing for which universal health precautions must be followed to ensure safety of self and others, including wearing protective clothing or equipment. 

Incumbent is required to occasionally work extended or evening hours and is required to respond to public health emergencies on a 24-hour basis.