Medical Assistant

Position Title: Medical Assistant (MA)

Reports to: Administrative Manager

Classification: Non-Exempt

THE RHODE ISLAND PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTE

The Rhode Island Public Health Institute (RIPHI) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to reduce health

disparities in Rhode Island and beyond. RIPHI oversees public health programs, and conducts research related to

population health, and trains students and public health practitioners.

In recent years, RIPHI’s programs have attracted local and national media attention as well as local and national awards for public health innovation. RIPHI owns and operates Open Door Health, the state’s first and only LGBTQ+ community clinic: Open Door Health provides primary care, sexual health care, family planning services, and gender affirming care to Rhode Island’s diverse community. Open Door Health also offers "express STI screening," which allows patients to quickly access STI services. RIPHI also hosts a Ryan White HIV treatment and care program at Open Door Health as well as large HIV prevention programs.

In addition, RIPHI founded several innovative public health programs focused on enhancing food and nutrition security.

RIPHI operates Food on the Move, one of the largest mobile produce programs in the country. RIPHI leads Nourish Rhode Island, a coalition advocating for SNAP incentives in grocery stores to promote healthy eating among SNAP recipients. SNAP incentives double the value of the dollar when people buy fresh produce. That campaign led to a statewide program for 140,000 SNAP recipients in Rhode Island; this program doubles the value of the dollar when SNAP recipients buy fresh produce.

In 2024, RIPHI and Open Door Health began a statewide program to integrate primary care with behavioral health services. RIPHI uses population health data in all its research, clinical and charitable service programs. RIPHI recently adopted a 5-year strategic plan that includes opening and growing both a new research center and a new communications center to support RIPHI’s work to advance population health. In the last year, RIPHI has secured over $15 million in grant funding and is looking forward to continuing growing our programs and research portfolio in alignment with RIPHI’s strategic plan.

During the last several years, RIPHI led several successful advocacy campaigns culminating in legislative victories, legislative appropriations, and statewide policy changes. These were related to food and nutrition, security, hunger alleviation, HIV policy, access to medicines, and fiscal. RIPHI plans to continue its public health advocacy work in the coming years.

RIPHI’s rapid and currently growing portfolio also includes programs related to food insecurity, nutrition and active living, hepatitis C virus (HCV), HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to reduce HIV transmission, mental health, social determinants of health, geographically focused health interventions, and other efforts to reduce health disparities. To learn more about RIPHI and Open Door Health, visit https://www.riphi.org and www.odhpvd.org.

Position Summary:

Under general supervision by the Administrative Manager, and in accordance with established policies and procedures, the Medical Assistant will perform clinical and administrative tasks that reflect the age-specific needs of the geriatric, adults, and adolescent patients. The Medical Assistant will foster patient centered, gender affirming care in accordance with the mission, vision, and values of the Rhode Island Public Health Institute and Open Door Health.

Responsibilities:

Administrative Duties:

· Answering patient phone calls

· Greeting patients entering for care

· Screening for COVID-19

· Maintenance of waiting room cleanliness

· Maintaining patient records by obtaining, recording, and updating personal information

· Scanning and processing of medical documents and patient records

· Scheduling/rescheduling of patient appointments, serve as back-up front desk staff as needed.

· Completing prior authorization requests and appeals

· Facilitating patient referrals

Rooming/Patient Intake:

· Warm welcome

· Vital signs

· Medication Review

· Allergies

· Past Medical History

· Social History

· Other intake elements as directed

· Cleaning room and equipment between patient appointments

Perform Point of Care Testing as ordered:

· EKG

· Height/Weight

· Pregnancy Tests

· HIV/HCV Orasure

· Binax NOW COVID-19

· HbA1C

· Other Point of Care Tests as indicated

Laboratory Specimen Collection:

· Phlebotomy as needed

· Instructing patients on self-collection of urine, oral, and rectal specimen collection

General guiding principles:

· Protects and preserves the patient’s right to privacy and confidentiality

· Consistently applies the values of Open Door Health, providing gender affirming care and improving the health status of the Community through the provision of customer-friendly, high-value medical services.

· Maintains quality assurance, safety, environmental, and infection control in accordance with established policies, procedures, and objectives.

Qualifications:

· Equivalent to high school graduate and completion of formal training program including phlebotomy, electrocardiogram and required current certification in the state of Rhode Island to perform all duties as described.

· Demonstrated knowledge and skills necessary to provide care to patients throughout the lifespan with consideration of human development stages, cultural patterns, and gender identity.

· 1+ years of related experience. Prior experience in phlebotomy, electrocardiography, and patient interaction/assessment/vitals.

· Excellent interpersonal communication skills

· Strong organizational skills

· BLS certification

· Able to multi-task and meet deadlines

· Fluent in the provision of culturally congruent services

· Experience providing culturally congruent and affirming care to sexual and gender minorities and racial and ethnic minorities is highly desirable

· Bi-lingual/bi-cultural Spanish or/and Portuguese is preferred

Work Remotely

• No

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands; balance, stoop, kneel or crouch: and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. As RIPHI operates in a normal patient care environment there is possible exposure to infectious diseases. Hazards are minimized by adherence to established safety precautions.

Work Environment:

Rhode Island Public Health Institute is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage diverse candidates to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, expression or preference, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, socio-economic status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Please send a CV and letter of interest with salary requirements to: duffay.cuartas@riphi.org

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $18.00 - $24.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Medical Specialty:

• Infectious Disease
• Primary Care

Application Question(s):

• How many years of Medical Assistant do you have?
• Are you fluent in Spanish?
• Are you certified medical assistant in the state of RI?

Ability to Commute:

• Providence, RI 02907 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Providence, RI 02907: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person