Medical Assistant

PPDG may have future opportunities for Healthcare and Healthcare Support positions in support of ICE Health Service Corps at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Medical Facility.

INTRODUCTION

The ICE Health Services Corps (IHSC) exists within the organizational structure of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) under the supervision of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The United States Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps Officers, civil service staff and contractors comprise the healthcare professionals working together to provide quality healthcare services. IHSC serves as the medical experts for ICE for detainee health care.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent supports the delivery of medical care services for detainees held in the custody of ICE at a detention facility through their role as a medical assistant. Patients served may be adult men and women and children. The incumbent’s scope of practice will delineate the specific clinical duties performed to support the health care mission.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Degree issuing institution and or program must be accredited by an entity recognized by the U.S. Department of Education

1. Minimum Education: high school diploma or general educational development (GED) test diploma.
2. Graduate of an approved Medical Assistant program located in a State, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. Territory.
3. One year of experience as a medical assistant in a clinical setting (preferred, not required).
4. Experience in a detention/correctional or residential healthcare setting (preferred, not required).

REQURED LICENSURE / CERTIFICATION

1. Active, unrestricted certification as a Medical Assistant. Certified by one of the following:
2. Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA),
3. Registered Medical Assistant by the American Society of Medical Technologists (AMT),
4. Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA),
5. National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT), or
6. National Registered title of Certified Medical Assistant (NRCMA) by the National Health Association for Health Professionals.
7. Must have and maintain one of the following certifications: Basic Life Support for health care providers through the American Heart Association®, CPR for the professional rescuer through the American Red Cross or the American Safety and Health Institute.
8. Experience in a detention/correctional or residential healthcare setting (preferred, not required).

ATTRIBUTES AND PROFESSIONAL QUALITIES

1. Strong oral and written communication skills.
2. Excellent interpersonal skills.
3. Critical thinking skills.
4. Cultural competence to be able to serve a diverse patient population.
5. Integrity and honesty.
6. High degree of independence, initiative, and follow-through on sensitive and complex issues.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

1. Ability and proficiency to properly use equipment, materials and supplies in simple diagnostic and treatment procedures.
2. Ability to work in a multi-cultural and multi-lingual environment.
3. Ability to utilize telephone, video and in-person interpreter services to complete assigned duties if not fluent in a language understandable by patients being provided medical care.
4. Ability to adapt to sudden changes in schedules and flexibility in work requirements.
5. Ability to communicate proficiently in English (verbal and written) in order to develop positive rapport with patients, co-workers and other stakeholders.
6. Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships in a multidisciplinary environment.
7. Ability to navigate in an electronic work environment including electronic health records, web-based training and communications.
8. Moderate proficiency in, common Microsoft Office programs, specifically Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and SharePoint.
9. Knowledge of regulations (HIPAA/Privacy Act) regarding the confidentiality of patient medical records and information as well as Personally Identifiable Information (PII).

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Provides direct care to patients throughout the lifespan in adherence to the defined Scope of Practice.
2. Completes all required competency assessments successfully and updates annually and/or as requested and attends all required training and completes successfully.
3. Performs functions in accordance with current accepted practice and certification.
4. Provides patient care under the supervision of licensed health care staff to include the registered nurse (RN), nurse practitioners (NP), physician assistant (PA), physician, dentist, psychiatrist, pharmacist, or behavioral health provider (BHP).
5. Responds to health emergencies as directed by licensed health care staff.
6. Asks patient health questions as directed by licensed health care staff.
7. Completes required health documentation in the electronic health record.
8. Prepares patient and examination room for health evaluation by licensed health care staff.
9. Performs tasks for outpatient health care to include:
10. Vital signs
11. Fingerstick glucose checks
12. Urinalysis, urine pregnancy test, urine drug screening, and other CLIA-waived tests performed at the facility.
13. Rapid flu and strep testing.
14. Phlebotomy
15. Peak flow test
16. Infant length/weight/head circumference
17. Electrocardiogram
18. Sterile set up and clean up for minor outpatient surgical procedures.
19. Sterilization, packaging, and/or disposal of medical instruments.
20. Management of medical waste as per requirements.
21. Administration of basic first aid.
22. Dressing changes as ordered by licensed health staff.
23. Administration of immunizations
24. Serving as chaperone during patient examinations.
25. Serving as scribe for patient health care encounters.
26. Administration of medications via topical, oral, intra-muscular, intra-dermal, and nasally as ordered by licensed health staff.
27. Other assigned duties within scope of practice
28. Performs required quality assurance testing and manages inventory as required:
29. Maintains laboratory supplies and equipment
30. Assists administrative leadership in required supply ordering processes
31. Perform required quality testing on CLIA waived equipment and maintain appropriate testing logs
32. Performs support tasks in the health clinic to ensure cleanliness and of medical equipment and furniture:
33. Attends to safety and hygienic requirements and tasks to ensure a safe and clean working environment at all times.
34. Attends to required tasks to that equipment, clinic room supplies, inventory, and logs are clean, functional, and up to date.
35. Record refrigerator temperatures.
36. Performs medication administration and assists with pharmacy tasks.
37. Delivers keep on person medication to patients and obtains appropriate detainee signature documenting receipt of items.
38. Administers medication via pill line and documents appropriately in the medication administration record.
39. Professionally manages clinic telephone calls to include taking messages, transferring telephone calls appropriately, and alerting appropriate licensed health staff immediately for calls of an urgent nature.
40. Performs all record keeping functions in accordance with program policies and position.
41. Transcribes patient clinical encounter information in the health record for other health staff.
42. Maintains functional proficiency and adheres to required electronic health record processes and procedures for professional and accurate health documentation.
43. Completes and passes all discipline specific competencies testing, initially and annually.
44. Completes all initial, annual and ad hoc training as required/assigned.
45. Maintains patient confidentiality, and confidentiality of health records, in compliance with

the Privacy Act and HIPAA regulations in all work activities.

20. Adheres to, and maintains awareness of, IHSC Policies, Procedures, Directives, Operational Memoranda and accreditation standards as prescribed by ICE/IHSC.
21. Attends and participates in required staff meetings

DUTY HOURS / ON-CALL REQUIREMENTS

1. IHSC operates 24/7/365; this position is required to respond during an emergency activation.
2. This full-time position requires availability to work day, evening and night shifts. Availability during weekends and holidays is also required.
3. On-call availability is not required for this position.

SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

1. The Department of Homeland Security’s Personnel Security Unit (PSU) must render an Initial Preliminary Favorable Fitness Determination to be considered a qualified candidate.
2. A Complete Favorable Fitness Determination must be rendered by PSU upon completion of initial, and between, subsequent background investigations to meet the requirements of this position.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

1. The work requires some physical exertion, such as long periods of standing; walking or jogging unaided over rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces; recurring bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, or similar activities; or recurring lifting of moderately heavy patients or equipment.
2. The work may require specific, but common, physical characteristics and abilities, such as agility and dexterity, visual, and hearing capabilities.
3. Must be able to respond to any medical emergency in the facility, via foot, within four minutes and perform CPR/emergency care standing or kneeling.
4. Must have the ability to assist sick, injured, or aging detainees or staff exiting the building during an emergency.