Medical Assistant - Opioid Treatment Program

Medical Assistant Opioid Treatment Program (OTP)

This Medical Assistant will support our Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) at the Southside Health Center. OTP is a voluntary, medically monitored program serving individuals with opioid dependence. The program combines medication-assisted treatment (including methadone and suboxone) with coordinated physical, mental health, and psychosocial services to help patients stabilize, reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, and work toward long-term recovery.

Location: On site - Southside Health Center

Schedule: MondayFriday, 5:30 AM1:30 PM; one Saturday per month, 6:00 AM12:00 PM

Role Overview

The Medical Assistant will work as part of a four-person MA team and will rotate responsibilities to ensure efficient clinic operations and patient flow. Key responsibilities include:

• Rooming patients and obtaining vital signs
• Overseeing and coordinating observed urinalysis collections
• Performing phlebotomy (blood draws)
• Conducting EKGs
• Supporting providers in delivering integrated medical and behavioral health services

Program Focus

The OTP emphasizes:

• Reducing and managing withdrawal symptoms
• Supporting recovery and reducing barriers to care
• Addressing co-occurring physical and mental health conditions
• Promoting lifestyle stabilization and harm reduction

This role is ideal for a Medical Assistant who is comfortable in a fast-paced, early-morning clinical setting and is confident in both technical skills (phlebotomy and EKGs) and compassionate patient care within a substance use treatment environment.

Job description:

Overview of Position:

Under the direction of the RN Supervisor or Site Manager, the Medical Assistant supports the patient by actively participating in the interdisciplinary care team and assists providers in the delivery of primary care services.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Complete chart preparation for each patient, including review of population health management system (e.g., Care Sentry), updating incomplete orders and referrals, and gathering other information as required (such as hospital records). Record information in the EHR.
• Manage clinic flow by greeting patients, determining needs, and directing patients to the examining room.
• Follow rooming procedures, including inquiring about recent ER/hospital visits, taking vital signs, completing screening tests, and health maintenance orders as identified in the chart preparation. Record in the EHR.
• May perform medication reviews, including removing short-term medications (e.g., antibiotics) from the medication module.
• Prepare for and assist providers with examinations and procedures, completing necessary cleanup afterward.
• Implement provider orders, including blood draws, ECGs, labs, dressings, treatments, refills, and routine testing procedures. Document results in the EHR as appropriate.
• Prepare specimens for transportation, complete necessary forms, and arrange for transportation.
• File patient information and assist with medical records responsibilities.
• May administer high-risk medications/injections following established program/site guidelines.
• Manage all aspects of the vaccine program, including storage and handling, inventory management, ordering, and reporting.
• Appropriately manage telephone inquiries and conduct patient callbacks as assigned (excluding patient triage).
• Assist nurses and providers with incoming patient healthcare information.
• May be responsible for approving timecards in the time and attendance system as directed by the supervisor.
• Adhere to universal precautions and Cherry Health policies.
• Understand and adhere to Cherry Health's compliance standards as outlined in Cherry Health's Corporate Compliance Policy, Code of Conduct, and Conflict of Interest Policy.
• Stay informed about all pertinent federal, state, and Cherry Health regulations, laws, and policies, and adapt to any changes or modifications.
• May precept medical assistant apprentices, externs, or new employees as needed.
• Represent Cherry Health at community events, job/recruitment fairs, and other engagements as requested.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities:

• Basic Life Support/CPR certification.
• Maintain professional conduct with providers, peers, families, and the community.
• Ability to perform routine healthcare tasks, enter data, and generate reports in the EHR.
• Ability to effectively coach, train, and mentor others.
• Ability to work sensitively with patients undergoing treatment in stressful situations.
• Ability to follow directions and work effectively with both professional and paraprofessional staff.
• Exceptional customer service and phone etiquette.
• Ability to maintain effective and organized systems to ensure timely patient flow.
• Basic typing skills and proficiency with computer software systems.
• May require travel to other sites based on program/site needs.

Competencies:

• Customer Service
• Collaboration
• Integrity
• Respect
• Professionalism
• Learning

Education / Licenses / Certificates:

• Completion of an accredited Medical Assisting program and/or attainment of one of the following certifications:
• CMA (Certified Medical Assistant) certification through the American Association of Medical Assistants.
• RMA (Registered Medical Assistant) certification through American Medical Technologists.
• CCMA (Certified Clinical Medical Assistant) certification through National Healthcareer Association.
• NCMA (National Certified Medical Assistant) certification through National Center for Competency Testing.
• ARMA (Advanced Registered Medical Assistant) certification through the American Registry of Medical Assistants.
• NRCMA (National Registered Certified Medical Assistant) certification through the National Association for Health Professionals.
• Completion of an in-house specialties training program, including competency in using all organizational electronic health record templates.

Experience:

• 1-2 years of previous medical assisting experience preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job listed above.

Who we are:

Cherry Health, Michigan's largest Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), operates in six counties across the state, is based in Grand Rapids. With a team of more than 800 health care professionals at 20 locations, Cherry Health focuses on removing barriers, expanding access, and delivering comprehensive quality health care services to underserved communities, regardless of an individual's insurance status or ability to pay. We provide primary care, dental, vision, behavioral health, pharmacy services, substance abuse services, residential re-entry services, school-based health centers and more.

Our Mission:

Cherry Health improves the health and wellness of individuals by providing comprehensive primary and behavioral health care while encouraging access by those who are underserved.

Our Vision:

Our community will be healthier because we will seek out and welcome those who need our services. All will be treated as family with integrated, coordinated care to improve health and personal well-being.

Our Values:

• Collaboration Support the Cherry Health mission by encouraging teamwork to accomplish organizational goals.
• Customer Service Serve internal and external customers in a welcoming manner with compassionate care.
• Innovation Embrace creativity to improve patient care and workplace efficiency while remaining curious and open to learning.
• Integrity Uphold the highest ethical standards by being honest and trustworthy.
• Professionalism Create a positive work environment where we care accountable for our decision, our action and the results.

Benefits:

Cherry Health has excellent benefit offerings dependent on employment status. Check out a sample of the benefits available to our team members below!

• Loan repayment through the NHSC and Michigan State Loan Repayment Program for select roles
• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance for you and your family
• Generous Paid Time Off benefit 4 weeks per year for full time