Medical Assistant / Phlebotomist

Cedar Wellness Center is a Tribally owned clinic that treats a diverse population of patients, including Native and Non-Native people. We have the opportunity to provide whole person care, while managing patient substance use disorders, primary care, infectious disease, and mental health needs. We are building a team of dedicated and compassionate individuals.

Cedar Wellness Center brings an innovative model of highly individualized, compassionate care to patients with opioid use disorder. From the moment someone walks through the door of our state-of-the-art outpatient facility, they will encounter our thoughtfulness and intention for a humanizing and respectful experience with us. The comforting and safe setting of our nature-inspired facility and the friendly, professional attitude of our staff help to define our journey with each patient—and with each other—from day one.

Each employee at Cedar Wellness Center creates their own ripple effect in the larger circles of the families and communities that we touch. Are you ready to make a difference with us?

We are currently seeking a Medical Assistant / Phlebotomist to support our clinic in Tacoma, WA. This position, reporting to the Clinic Director, is an excellent opportunity for someone excited to make an immediate and lasting impact in a growing company.

Position Overview:

Cedar Wellness Center is seeking to hire a versatile Medical Assistant / Phlebotomist who loves taking on a challenge and being part of an aligned, committed team. We are looking for a Medical Assistant / Phlebotomist who demonstrates patience and compassion since our clinic often sees patients when they are feeling their worst. It is important that our staff believe in our patients so they can learn to believe in themselves. A non-judgmental approach is key.

While a kind heart is a requirement, an organized mind is also needed for this position. As Medical Assistant / Phlebotomist, you will perform lab draws and prepare lab samples, keep track of medical supplies and inventory, respond to patient inquiries, maintain the lab area, and perform back-office duties. This role is crucial to maintaining accurate records as our program is built on a scientific approach to addiction medicine and this clinic will be highly regulated by credentialing agencies. If you are committed to creating big-picture change, have an eye for details, understand that standard protocols are essential, and like to learn new things, we look forward to speaking with you.

Minimum Requirements:

• Graduate of Medical Assistant program.
• Phlebotomy Certification.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office, Excel, Google Spreadsheets, Electronic Health Records, and other electronic computer programs.
• Knowledge of Community Resources.
• Experience conducting insurance verification.

Applicants must have:

• Active American Heart Association (AHA) Basic life support
• Ability to pass drug and background screening.
• Ability to provide health and TB clearance.

Preferred Requirements:

• 2 years of recent/previous work experience in substance use disorder setting.
• Experience in outreach and inter-agency referral services.
• Front Office Experience.

Required Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated customer–first attitude and philosophy.
• Ability to make judgments in demanding situations.
• Ability to react to frequent changes in duties and volume of work.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to listen empathetically.
• Ability to logically organize details.
• Commitment to respectful patient and family centered care.
• Commitment to patient confidentiality.
• Commitment to patient safety.
• Provide patient care under supervision of a provider. The performance of a delegated medical act by the Medical Assistant must be directed and supervised by the provider.
• Perform patient check in, including obtaining and recording vital signs, height, weight, chief complaint, brief relevant history including pain status, allergies, current medication, and any other pertinent information for specific age groups.
• Prepare patient for examination/procedure, as appropriate.
• Administer medications and immunizations orally, intramuscularly, subcutaneously, intradermally, and by inhalation as ordered by provider.
• Review medical records for up-to-date problem list including patient reported medication and allergies and diagnoses that are documented by physicians or providers.
• Understand that the stress of illness may alter patient behavior and ability to follow through on plan of health care; interact with respect including situations where patient and/or family display anger or distress.
• Participate in patient education by providing standardized, structured written/verbal information to patients regarding procedures, preparation for diagnostic tests, and chronic disease conditions as instructed by the provider.
• Assist provider with procedures including those requiring aseptic and sterile technique.
• Assist with quality measures, including maintenance and recording of required daily equipment checks, CLIA requirements, and calibration of equipment.
• Document complete and accurate patient observations, care, and outcomes of interventions in the electronic medical record.
• Contribute to individual patient care planning.
• Participate in the review of schedules and space needs; anticipate and suggest any needed changes in staffing or provider schedules.
• Assist with quality improvement projects such as communication of waits and delays, chart audits.
• Assist in updating Medical Assistant training materials. Participate in orientation of new staff.
• May float to the Front Office if needed.
• Clean and examine procedure tables, equipment, and other work areas following current infection control and/or isolation procedure guidelines.
• Stock nurse’s station and exam/procedure rooms as assigned. Inventory specialty items and initiate reorder of supplies as needed.
• Report non-functioning or defective equipment to supervisor immediately.
• Ensure all supplies are up to date and replace expired materials as necessary following sterile processing procedures.
• Assist in the maintenance of patient education materials.
• Prepare/maintain medical records, including ordering, filing, and copying when appropriate.
• Complete all required competencies and maintain skill level.
• Recognize the need for continuous learning by attending staff development programs and workshops.
• Collect body fluid samples for patients being admitted to treatment.
• Prepare and maintain urinalysis, oral toxicology swabs, urine drug screen collection schedules and document results in master file.
• Perform lab draws and prepare samples for the lab.
• Other duties as assigned.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this classification. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this classification, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, bend, use hands to keyboard or type, handle materials used in performing the essential functions of the classification, and reach with hands and arms. The employee will be asked to perform repetitive behaviors (e.g., typing and data entry). The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds (think boxes of paper). Specific vision abilities required by this classification include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing abilities required by this classification includes those which permit the employee to discern verbal instructions and communicate effectively in person, by telephone. While performing the duties of this classification, the employee works in an office setting where the noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The employee must also analyze and evaluate situations and adopt effective courses of action.

Why Work for Us?

At Cedar Wellness Center, we share a journey—with patients, our coworkers, and the many communities of which we are a part. Our work is to build connections with individuals and families and to save lives in the process. The cedar tree is flexible in the wind, making it almost impossible to break. It is a symbol of strength and an ancient resource for longboats and shelter. We see these elements coming together in Cedar Wellness—a place that honors the strength that it requires for patients to get help and the adaptability and courage it takes to join them on their journey to recovery.

We support our team through a competitive salary and benefits package and opportunities for continuing education and professional advancement. Cedar Wellness Center staff will also be cross trained to meet the needs of patients and to make each day a success. On-the-job training will empower team members, as we believe the excellence of the clinic and the professional development of our staff complement one another.