Western Growers Assurance Trust (WGAT) was founded in 1957 to provide a solution to a need in the agricultural community — a need for employer-sponsored health benefit plans not previously available from commercial health insurance carriers. WGAT is now the largest provider of health benefits for the agriculture industry. The sponsoring organization of WGAT is Western Growers Association, created in 1926 to support the business interests of employers in the agriculture industry. WGAT’s headquarters is located in Irvine, California.

WGAT’s mission is to deliver value to agriculture-based employer groups by offering robust health plans that meet the needs of a diverse workforce. By working at WGAT, you will join a dedicated team of employees who truly care about offering quality health benefits and excellent customer service to plan participants. If you want to start making a difference working in the health care industry, then apply to WGAT today!

Job Description Summary

The Medical Assistant (MA) performs a variety of basic and routine patient care and clerical duties to assist medical providers in the care and treatment of patients. Primary functions include: taking vital signs, verifying current medications list, obtaining chief compliant, rooming/discharging patients, phlebotomy services and and facilitating provider schedule. The MA actively seeks information to understand patient circumstances, problems, expectations and needs, responding quickly to meet patient needs and resolve problems. 

QUALIFICATIONS

• High School Diploma or General Education Diploma (GED) required.
• Medical Assistant certification (training program must be at least six (6) months in duration) (copy of diploma & transcripts required).
• Medical Terminology Certificate required.
• Phlebotomy certification preferred.
• One or more years of phlebotomy experience, including pediatric and geriatric, preferred.
• Ability to read, write, and comprehend medical information.
• Ability to effectively present information, both verbal and written.
• Computer Literacy. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Patient Care

• Performs appropriate basic, routine and regular delegated medical functions as directed and within 
appropriate scope of practice (e.g., vision screening, ear irrigations, hearing tests, hematocrit, 
tonometry measurements, EKG tests, collecting throat, wound, and sputum specimens, and urine 
cultures) using appropriate instruments, techniques, and specimen labeling processes. 
• Supports physicians and other medical providers performing routine examination and treatment 
procedures by attending patient during procedures and providing appropriate supplies and 
instruments.
• Instructs or assists patients in preparation for scheduled procedures. Provides routine verbal and written instructions to patients as specifically directed, such as use of crutches, cast care and wound care; escorts patients to other patient care areas.
• Prepares examination and treatment rooms for use by physicians and other medical providers by cleaning, stocking and arranging supplies, equipment and instruments. Prepares treatment rooms for special procedures. Cleans, packages and sterilizes reusable supplies and instruments.
• Case manages patients referrals and authorizations for continuation of care.
• Performs routine clerical and reception duties, as required, such as completing patient visit records, maintaining departmental logs, answering telephones and taking messages, checking in patients, scheduling patient appointments, and collecting copays.

Lab Draws & Specimen Handling

• Collects specimens according to established procedures. 
• Researches test and client information and confirms and verifies all written and electronic orders.
• Processes specimens including: labeling, centrifuging, aliquoating, freezing and preparing for 
transport as required by order.
• Assists with compilation and submission of statistics and data.
• Maintains appropriate phlebotomy logs.

Clinic Partner

• Reviews and communicates appointment schedule to physicians and other medical providers to determine patient visit order and solicits special instructions or requests for the day. Greets and escorts patient to examination or treatment room. Keeps patients, physicians or other medical providers, and other team members informed of physicians’ or other medical providers’ statuses and time delays throughout the day.
• Performs other duties as assigned, such as assisting in orienting and training new employees, 
transporting equipment or patients, stocking shelves, taking inventories, ordering supplies, sanitizing, filing, answering phones, utilizing email, and participating in community events. 
• Performs non-patient facing duties, including inventory, stock supplies, sanitizing, filing, answering phones and utilizing email as appropriate.

Other 

• Utilize all capabilities to satisfy one mission — to enhance the competitiveness and profitability of our members. Do everything possible to help members succeed by being curious and striving to understand what others are trying to achieve, planning, and executing work helpfully and 
collaboratively. Be willing to adjust efforts to ensure that work and attitude are helpful to others, be self-accountable, create a positive impact, and be diligent in delivering results.
• Completes online and in person training courses timely.
• All other duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS / WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands and work environment described here represent those that an employee must meet to successfully perform this job’s essential functions. 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 communicate with others. The employee frequently is required to move around the office. The employee is often required to use tools, objects, and controls. This noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.