Medical Assistant to Serve Unhoused Patients

Description

Compensation :

• Non-exempt / hourly
• Full wage scale is $23.27 to $31.39 per hour
• Sign-On Bonus is $2,000 prorated by Full Time Equivalency (FTE) and subject to 2-year payback clause
Work Schedule :
• Full time
• Full time
• Shifts starting as early as 6 : 30am
• Monday-Friday with occasional Saturdays
• Day shifts only

Who We Are

Unity Care NW is a private, non-profit, Federally Qualified Health Center () that has been proudly and successfully serving the greater Whatcom County area since 1982.

With clinics located in Bellingham & Ferndale, we offer comprehensive primary medical, behavioral health and dental care, as well as pharmacy services to a diverse and often underserved patient population of all ages.

Employing 300 caring and compassionate employees, our mission is to increase the years of healthy life in the people & communities we serve.

What We Value

• Respect
• Integrity
• Accountability
• Collaboration
• Innovation

We have an inclusive culture and strive to demonstrate our Values in Action in all that we do. We value each individual on our team and aim to onboard a diverse workforce of the very best talent, whose ambitions and values align with ours.

Job Summary

Make a difference by serving our unhoused neighbors as the Medical Assistant for the new Way Station in downtown Bellingham!

Individuals experiencing homelessness are more likely to become ill, have greater hospitalization rates, and die at a younger age than the general population.

The Way Station will provide individuals and families experiencing homelessness with a range of health and social services to assist in improving their health outcomes and aiding their transition to sustainable housing.

This new, unique facility will serve people in need of showers, laundry, medical and behavioral health care, case management, and other services provided by partner organizations including respite care.

As the MA working with the sole medical provider, you can expect to support patients on a walk-in basis for services such as wound care, infections, illness care, and point of care testing.

While The Way Station will not serve as a primary care home, it will provide a bridge to connecting clients to one. We are looking for an MA who wants to participate in whole-person, team-based care in an empathy-forward, trauma-informed manner that acknowledges the barriers and inequities experienced by our unhoused patients.

Daily tasks will include :

• Completing patient rooming process.
• Completing patient testing and procedures following provider orders / standing orders.
• Performing desktop management and computer tasks.
• Performing immunizations and injections.
• Performing general clinical operation duties.
• Precepting new employees and coaching MA Apprentices.
• Ordering supplies, medications, and vaccines.

The work hours will be divided between The Way Station and our primary care clinic in Bellingham depending on patient needs.

Flexibility is therefore required to adjust the hours spent at each location.

Learn more about The Way Station at the following links :

Learn more about the MA role by watching the following videos :

What We Offer

• A friendly and collaborative team environment
• Meaningful, mission-oriented work supporting your community
• A culture of inclusivity
• A competitive compensation package

Generous Benefits Including :

• Medical, dental & vision insurance
• 401(K) retirement plan with employer match
• Paid Time Off (108 hours Year One, 156 hours Year Two & further increases thereafter)
• 6 paid holidays
• Paid Sick Leave accrued at 1 hour per 40 hours paid
• Other paid leaves including : Bereavement, Jury Duty & Bone Marrow & Organ Transplant
• Life / AD&D insurance
• Continuing Education for MAs with eligible & current board certification ($180 plus 12 hours)
• Reimbursement of renewal fees for WA State license
• Employment counts towards eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness - information can be found at
• Optional insurances including : Supplementary Life / AD&D, Short Term and Long Term Disability, Critical Illness, Accident, Travel & Identity Theft Protection
• Flexible spending accounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Alternative Transportation Incentives
• Health Living reimbursements
• Medical Hardship payroll loans, Employee Referral Bonuses, Will preparation services & gym discounts

Requirements

• Completion of an accredited Medical Assistant program
• Medical Assistant-Certified License from the WA State Department of Health

Preferred Qualifications

• Two years of Medical Assisting experience
• Experience in an outpatient clinic serving all ages, including providing immunizations
• A strong interest in and / or experience working with a diverse patient population, specifically those that are unhoused

Candidates with applicable experience or similar qualifications are encouraged to apply!

To Apply

Visit our Careers Page at or contact Vicki Curtis, Provider Recruiter, at

Unity Care NW has an Employee Health Program for the safety of our patients and staff. The program requires that all employees receive annual flu vaccines.

UCNW also requires vaccination against COVID-19 as a vital public health measure that has truly been life-saving. We are proud of the leadership role we’ve played in protecting our community from this devastating virus.