HSS I (Medical Assistant) (Bakersfield)

Position Overview

Health Services Specialist I – Full-Time at Bakersfield Health Center in Bakersfield, CA. This role involves providing direct patient services across various health center areas including sexual and reproductive health, abortion, prenatal care, and family medicine. The position also encompasses front office duties such as patient check-in/check-out and billing, as well as performing moderately complex lab testing and direct care tasks. The successful candidate will demonstrate excellent customer service, thorough documentation, and strict adherence to established guidelines.

Key Responsibilities

General Duties:

• Provides direct services in health center areas including sexual/reproductive health, abortion, prenatal, and family medicine.
• Offers accurate information regarding Planned Parenthood services (contraception, options, funding).
• Contributes to achieving health center productivity goals.
• Screens financial, medical, and social history with proper documentation.
• Adheres to PPMM customer service standards and workplace values.
• Follows all patient care standards.

Front Office Check-in & Check-out:

• Communicates professionally regarding services, payment, and appointment scheduling.
• Provides paperwork to patients and secures payment and insurance information for billing.
• Enters accurate patient information into the Electronic Practice Management System (EPM).
• Schedules appointments, provides referrals, and contacts insurance companies for authorizations.
• Ensures the accuracy of charges, posts them to the EPM, and completes all billing tasks by the close of business.
• Manages end-of-day reporting and follows PPMM financial policies and procedures.
• Scans all documents into the patient’s chart and prepares charts for upcoming appointments.

Back Office Lab & Direct Care: Check-in & Check-out

• Performs moderately complex lab testing including pregnancy tests, STI/HIV tests, blood/urine collection, phlebotomy, and venipuncture.
• Prepares daily patient lab samples, maintains lab logs, and runs reconciling lab reports.
• Completes lab controls and checks refrigerator temperatures.
• Cleans instruments, exam rooms, lab area, and autoclave as assigned.
• Prepares patients for exams, assists in exam rooms, and provides follow-up scheduling and referrals as needed.

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma or General Education Diploma (GED).
• Ability to communicate sensitive information effectively across diverse backgrounds, both verbally and in writing.
• General knowledge of Windows-based computer applications and a willingness to learn new skills.
• Ability to work in a busy environment managing multiple tasks with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to work at nearby PPMM locations as needed.
• Availability to work nights and weekends as required.