Medical Assistant/ Patient Care Specialist

Department: JA Health & Wellness

Reports To: Clinical Director/Administrator

Position Type: Full-Time 8:30am to 4pm

Setting: Integrated Primary Care & Behavioral Health Clinic

Position Description:

The Medical Assistant/Patient Care Specialist supports the daily clinical and administrative operations of JA Health & Wellness. This position combines traditional Medical Assistant duties with patient coordination, front-office support, and basic clinic operations.  The ideal candidate is organized, professional, patient-centered, and comfortable working in a growing integrated healthcare setting. The position works closely with primary care and behavioral health providers to ensure patients receive timely, coordinated, and respectful care.

Primary Functions and Key Responsibilities:       

Medical Assistant & Clinical Support:

• Prepare examination rooms and ensure supplies and equipment are ready for patient care.
• Room patients and obtain vital signs, height, weight, and other required clinical information.
• Review and update medications, allergies, medical history, and other patient information.
• Assist medical providers with examinations and procedures as permitted by training and scope of practice.
• Perform approved point-of-care testing and specimen collection.
• Prepare and administer immunizations or medications when appropriately trained, authorized, and permitted.
• Document clinical information accurately in the electronic health record (EHR).
• Maintain vaccine, medication, and medical supply inventory.
• Monitor expiration dates and notify appropriate staff when supplies need to be reordered.
• Follow infection-control, OSHA, HIPAA, and clinic safety procedures.
• Clean and prepare clinical areas between patients.

Patient Care & Front Office:

• Welcome patients and provide professional, respectful customer service.
• Answer telephone calls, check messages, and route clinical questions appropriately.
• Schedule, confirm, cancel, and reschedule appointments.
• Conduct reminder calls when needed.
• Register new patients and ensure demographic and contact information is accurate.
• Send or provide new-patient paperwork and assist patients with completing required forms.
• Verify insurance eligibility and update insurance information.
• Collect copayments and provide receipts according to clinic procedures.
• Maintain accurate patient records and ensure required documents are uploaded into the EHR.
• Assist patients with general questions regarding appointments, referrals, and clinic services.

Care Coordination:

• Coordinate referrals and ensure referral information is routed to the appropriate provider.
• Assist with obtaining medical records, releases, authorizations, and other necessary documentation.
• Follow up with patients regarding appointments, referrals, and outstanding paperwork.
• Support communication between primary care, behavioral health, and other clinic services.
• Help identify barriers that may prevent patients from accessing or completing care.
• Communicate patient concerns promptly to the appropriate clinical or administrative staff.

Clinic Operations:

• Support the Clinical Director/Administrator with the day-to-day flow of the clinic.
• Help coordinate provider schedules and patient flow.
• Monitor the front desk, waiting area, and clinical areas for operational needs.
• Maintain adequate office and clinical supplies.
• Assist with tracking forms, referrals, records, and other required clinic documentation.
• Help maintain organized, confidential, and audit-ready patient records.
• Identify scheduling, workflow, or patient-service concerns and communicate them to leadership.
• Assist with preparation for audits, quality reviews, and compliance activities.
• Support clinic outreach, special programs, and other operational needs as assigned.
• Maintain confidentiality and protect patient information at all times.

Required Qualifications:

• Medical Assistant certification or completion of an accredited Medical Assistant program required.
• Previous experience in a medical office, primary care, behavioral health, or outpatient healthcare setting preferred.
• Knowledge of basic medical terminology and clinical procedures.
• Experience with electronic health records; electronic health record (EHR) experience preferred.
• Basic understanding of insurance verification, scheduling, referrals, and patient registration.
• Current CPR/BLS certification preferred or ability to obtain.
• Ability to maintain HIPAA and patient confidentiality requirements.
• Must be bilingual in English and Spanish.

Skills & Abilities

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Strong organization and time-management skills.
• Professional and compassionate communication.
• Ability to multitask in a busy healthcare environment.
• Attention to detail and accurate documentation.
• Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Comfort working with individuals from diverse backgrounds and life experiences.
• Ability to appropriately prioritize patient and clinic needs.
• Dependability, flexibility, and willingness to assist where needed.
• Fundamental understanding and demonstrated commitment of practices associated with diversity, equity and inclusion which would create an environment that allows staff, clients and the broader community to thrive.
• Awareness of resources available to individuals involved in Rhode Island’s criminal justice system.
• Must be bilingual in English and Spanish.

Professional Expectations

The Medical Assistant/Patient Care Specialist is expected to maintain professional boundaries, protect confidential information, follow clinic policies and procedures, and contribute to a respectful and patient-centered environment.

This position requires flexibility and teamwork. Responsibilities may change as JA Health & Wellness continues to grow and expand its primary care and behavioral health services.

Pay Scale:

$40,000 - $55,000

Full-time Position (Monday through Friday)

Healthcare Benefits

Paid Time Off

About Justice Assistance:

Justice Assistance is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to supporting justice-involved individuals through a variety of programs, including Project Restitution, Project Victim Services, CORES, Habitat for Justice, and JA Health & Wellness. Justice Assistance's mission is to strengthen the community by providing a unique mix of innovative and critical services to assist our state's justice system in a way that builds the capacity of the people we care for to live safe, productive lives.   

Interested parties should email their Resume and Cover Letter to Kathy Brown, Chief Operating Officer (kbrown@justiceassistance.org). Please title the email in the subject line with “Justice Assistance Patient Care Specialist.” Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Salary : $40,000 - $55,000