Bilingual Medical Assistant II

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About Texas A&M AgriLife

Texas A&M AgriLife is comprised of the following Texas A&M University System members:

• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

• Texas A&M AgriLife Research

• College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University

• Texas A&M Forest Service

• Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory

As the nation’s largest most comprehensive agriculture program, Texas A&M AgriLife brings together a college and four state agencies focused on agriculture and life sciences within The Texas A&M University System. With over 5,000 employees and a presence in every county across the state, Texas A&M AgriLife is uniquely positioned to improve lives, environments and the Texas economy through education, research, extension and service.

Click here to learn more about how you can be a part of AgriLife and make a difference in the world!

Position Information

The Bilingual Medical Assistant II, under general supervision, works under the direction of the health care provider. Serves as the lead medical assistant and is responsible for the delivery of patient care that promotes the safety and wellbeing of all patients. Oversees the cleanliness of exam and treatment rooms and monitors patient care rooms and nurses’ stations. Serves as a mentor and assists supervisor with training and supervision of staff and student workers.

The Texas A&M AgriLife Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture, IHA, is the world’s first academic institute to bring together precision nutrition, responsive agriculture, and social and behavioral research to reduce diet-related chronic disease and lower health care costs in a way that supports producers and the environment.

The Clinical Research Medical Assistant supports the implementation of clinical and field-based research activities within the Texas A&M AgriLife IHA at our Dallas Clinic and on our Mobile Health Assessment Centers (MHACs). This position plays a critical role in participant engagement, specimen and data collection, biosafety compliance, and coordination of study procedures under the direction of the MHAC Clinical Manager and the Clinical Program Director. This role requires frequent verbal and written interaction with individuals whose primary language may be English or Spanish. Therefore, bilingual fluency in English and Spanish is a requirement for the position.

Responsibilities:

Research Data Collection

• Serves as a lead medical assistant and performs research data collection on a daily basis.

• Performs and documents vital signs, anthropometric measurements (height, weight, waist circumference), and body composition assessments (e.g., Bod Pod, Pea Pod, InBody 770) according to study protocols (training to be provided on more specialized pieces of equipment).

• Performs and assists with biological specimen collection and processing, including blood (both phlebotomy and fingerstick samples), urine, saliva, stool, breastmilk, and hair/nail samples, following BSL-2 safety standards.

• Prepares and labels biological specimens, maintain chain-of-custody documentation, and ensure accurate sample storage and transport.

• Administers study questionnaires and assists participants in completing digital health assessments.

• Documents all pertinent findings and communicates with the study team, as appropriate.

• Updates participant data information and results in electronic software records.

• Follows all Standard Operating Procedures for each clinical procedure.

• Maintains research participant privacy and confidentiality.

• The position requires frequent direct communication with research participants whose primary language may be English or Spanish, including participant engagement, administration of study questionnaires, explanation of study procedures, collection of participant information, and documentation of study-related information. The position also requires the ability to accurately interpret verbal communications and translate written materials and information between English and Spanish as necessary to support research participants and the requirements of the study.

Clinical Duties

• Determines equipment, and supply needs, as applicable, for facilitation of clinical research protocols.

• Oversees and ensures the cleanliness of exam and data collection rooms are maintained at the highest standards to prevent spread of infection.

• Ensures clinical supplies are properly stocked and available as needed for patient care.

• Keeps inventory and ensures proper care and maintenance of all medical supplies and equipment, abiding by expiration dates, temperature and storage requirements, and orders/replenishes supplies as needed.

• Ensures all Point of Care testing performed are compliant with the CLIA Waiver Certificate requirements and keeps the proper required documentation.

• Abides by the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for clinical and non-clinical procedures conducted.

• Supports data entry and verification in electronic data capture systems and research databases (e.g., REDCap).

• Monitors participants for adverse events and promptly report to the PI or Clinical Manager.

• Escalates non-routine issues, questions and/or concerns to the MHAC Clinical Manager.

• Works closely with the MHAC Clinical Manager to ensure abnormal research participant results are promptly identified and referred for appropriate follow-up when necessary.

• Maintains all appropriate certifications, and training necessary for the role (CITI training, CPR, AED, Bloodborne Pathogens, etc.).

• Ensures that all activities performed are compliant with the rules and regulations set forth by the TAMU system, state, and federal regulations.

• Works collaboratively with multiple departments across the TAMU system to ensure safety and compliance with human research studies (IRB, EH&S, etc.).

• Maintains HIPAA compliance, when applicable.  

Other Duties

• Performs other duties as assigned. May need to perform office projects and tasks assigned by the supervisor.

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Completion of a medical assistant training program.

• Three years of related experience.

• Minimum one year experience with phlebotomy.

• Current CPR/BLS/AED training and certification.

• Fluency in English and Spanish (verbal and written).

• Ability to interpret and translate accurately between English and Spanish.

• Knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality in all aspects of the position.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in clinical or public health research, including specimen collection and data management.

• Familiarity with CLIA-waived testing, BSL-2 procedures, and mobile health operations.

• Proficiency in REDCap, Microsoft Office Suite, and electronic medical record (EMR) systems.

• Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) through an accredited program (e.g., AAMA, AMT, or NHA).

• Strong interpersonal, leadership, problem-solving, and organizational skills.

• Maintains attention to detail and utilizes sound judgment.

  Maintains professional demeanor in all activities.

• Ability to lead and function as a strong collaborator on a multidisciplinary team.

• Ability to take initiative, work independently, and manage priorities and tasks as assigned.

• Strong customer service skills required to work effectively with people from many backgrounds.

Other Requirements:

• Requires working evening and weekend hours, as needed for research visits.

• Requires travel on the MHAC to various counties within Texas.

• Ability to lift or move light and moderate objects.

What You Need to Know

Salary: Compensation for this position is commensurate based on the selected candidate’s qualifications. This is an hourly paid position.

Why Work at Texas A&M AgriLife?

When you choose to work for Texas A&M AgriLife, you become part of an organization that is an established leader in agriculture and life sciences with a wide range of capabilities to meet the needs of our statewide, national, and international constituents.

In addition, Texas A&M AgriLife offers a comprehensive benefit package including the following:

• Health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M AgriLife contributing to employee health and basic life premiums 

• 12-15 days of annual paid holidays  

• Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month

• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas  

• Employee Wellness Initiative for Texas A&M AgriLife

Applicant Instructions

Applications received by Texas A&M AgriLife must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to prepopulate the online application.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.