Medical Clerk

THIS EXAM HAS A LIMITED FILING PERIOD

Applications will only be accepted from 8:00 am Friday, February 1st, 2013 until 5:00 pm on Monday, February 4th, 2013.

On Friday, February 1, 2013 the "Click Here to Apply" button will appear at the bottom of this page.  Be aware that if you complete an application template you must still return to this page and apply for the position in the time period stated above.

HEALTH CARE SERVICES AGENCY

Alameda County's Health Services Program is administered by the Health Care Services Agency and includes the following program areas: Behavioral Health Care, Public Health, Environmental Health, and Agency Administration/Indigent Health. The ultimate mission of the Health Care Services Agency is to provide fully integrated health care services through a comprehensive network of public and private partnerships that ensure optimal health and well-being and respect the diversity of all residents. Health Care Services Agency currently has multiple career opportunities for experienced professionals to become part of a service delivery team dedicated to the optimal health and well being of Alameda County residents. 

PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT

The Public Health Department has an array of programs and services designed to protect the health and safety of County residents. The backbone of Public Health includes assessments of the health status of residents, disease prevention and control, community mobilization and outreach, policy development, education, and assurance of access to quality medical and health care services.  The Public Health Department is currently seeking to fill several Medical Clerk vacancies in the Family Health Services Division. 

FAMILY HEALTH SERVICES DIVISION

Family Health Services is a Division within the Public Health Department.  The Medical Clerk vacancies are located in the California Children’s Services (CCS) program.  CCS is a program that assists children who have a serious medical condition and require specialty medical care.  CCS provides medical case management to low-income children under 21 years of age with chronic and disabling medical conditions.  CCS can help arrange and pay for hospital stays and doctor visits, medical equipment, medication and other services.  CCS strives to ensure that children receive appropriate and comprehensive care.

For more information about the Health Care Services Agency, please visit the Agency's website and/or Annual Budget Document found on www.acgov.org. 

THE POSITIONS

Under general supervision of the Supervising Clerk, Medical Clerks provide clerical support of a difficult and specialized nature for professional medical personnel.  In this capacity they are required to exercise initiative and judgment while performing a wide range of clerical duties requiring the ability to accurately record information in medical files; extract a wide variety of information from medical charts and documents; correctly use and spell a wide variety of medical terminology without frequent reference to specialized medical dictionaries; and perform other duties as assigned. 

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

The Medical Clerk classification differs from the next higher level class of Medical Record Technician which is located within a medical record department or California Children's Services, and requires technical training and in depth knowledge of the current version of the International Classification of Diseases coding systems, medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology in order to perform the assigned duties.

IDEAL CANDIDATES

In addition to the minimum qualifications and knowledge and skills listed below, ideal candidates for these positions will possess knowledge of medical terminology and state programs and resources within children’s services; the ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPPA regulations; and considerable technical expertise and experience using State electronic databases including med-cal systems such as Meds, CMS Web and CMS Net.

Ideal candidates will also exemplify the following critical attributes for success:

• Adeptly performs difficult and specialized clerical support activities with developed knowledge of medical terminology and resources, and considerable technical expertise and experience using State electronic databases including med-cal systems such as Meds, CMS Web and CMS Net.
• Commits to providing excellent customer service, recognizing the need to serve and satisfy internal and external customers alike. 
• Builds trust and maintains confidences by interacting with others in a way that gives them confidence in one’s intentions and those of the organization.
• Strong planning, organization and prioritization skills, and the ability to multi task in a fast paced environment.
• A collaborative spirit capable of working within a team environment as well as independently. 
• A keen attention to detail with an equally high quality orientation in order to accomplish tasks accurately, efficiently and effectively over a period of time.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to relate well to people from varied backgrounds and in different situations; and exemplify traits such as understanding, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness.
• Personal satisfaction and pride representing the County while performing difficult and specialized clerical work and delivering excellent customer and support services.

For a detailed listing of the duties and essential competency requirements for this position, please see the complete Medical Clerk job description. 

These are minimum professional requirements for the position of Medical Clerk:

Either I

The equivalent of one year full-time experience in the class of Clerk II or in an equivalent or higher level clerical class working for the Alameda County classified service. (Non-classified service includes District Attorney’s Office, Hospital Authority, and the Consolidated Courts.)

Or II

The equivalent of one year full-time experience in clerical work that requires using and interpreting a wide variety of medical terminology.

Or III

Completion of a medical terminology course or medical assisting program at an accredited college or university, plus the equivalent of one year of full time experience in clerical work.

AND

Special Requirement:   Must be able to type a minimum of 40 words per minute from clear copy.

*A typing certificate with a net typing speed of 40 net words per minute from a temporary agency, employment agency, or community college, printed on original letterhead with the address and phone number of the agency or college must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on the last day for filing, Monday, February 4th, 2013.  The typing certificate must be dated within six (6) months of the last day of filing.  The certificate can either be scanned and attached to your on-line application (under the resume tab), e-mailed to Robin.Young @acgov.org, or mailed to the attention of Robin Young, Alameda County Human Resource Services, 1405 Lakeside Drive, Oakland, California 94612.  This certificate must be received in our office by the last day for filing, Monday, February 4th, 2013.  On-line typing certificates and postmarks will not be accepted.

The most suitably qualified candidates will possess the following competencies:

ABOUT THE COUNTY

Alameda County, located on the east side of San Francisco Bay, is California’s seventh-largest county.  The County employs 9,080 full-time employees and operates on an annual budget of $2.39 billion.  Oakland, the County seat, is California’s eighth largest city.  One and a half million people call Alameda County home and live in a variety of incorporated cities, unincorporated communities and rural areas.  As a major urban county, Alameda provides a full range of services to its citizens.  The County is a blend of culturally and ethnically diverse communities, and its mixture of cosmopolitan and suburban areas provides the perfect environment for families and their active lifestyles.  The County offers extensive cultural resources, countless recreational opportunities and an array of fine public and private colleges and universities.

BENEFITS FOR NON-MANAGEMENT POSITIONS

MEDICAL PLANS

The County offers HMO and PPO medical plans.  The County has two contributions structures, 1) County contributes 100% of the lowest cost HMO; or 2) County contributes 90% of the HMO plans and 90% of the lowest cost HMO towards the PPO.  The County contribution can be prorated based on the number of work hours up to 50% of the standard hours in a pay period.  If an eligible employee waives all medical coverage through the County, a monthly stipend may be provided.

DENTAL PLANS

The County offers two Dental Plans: PPO and Dental Maintenance Option (DMO). The County contributes 100% of the family coverage for both plans as long as the employee works at least 50% of the standard hours in a pay period. The PPO option plan design is 100% Preventative, 80% Basic Care, 80% Major Care with a $45 per individual deductible and annual maximum up to  $1,450 per year.  The DMO option has an orthodontic benefit for children as well as adults.

VISION BENEFIT

The County offers two Voluntary Vision Plans through Vision Service Plan (VSP) for eligible employees.  The two plans consist of a low option and a high option that offer annual eye exams and coverage for various frames and lenses.  The Voluntary Vision Plan is 100% employee paid and is available for employees and their dependents.  In addition, an annual eye exam is covered for participants in the HMO Medical Plans with corresponding co-pay. 

A Vision Reimbursement Plan is available for some union bargaining units who have a provision in their Memorandum of Understanding that after six months of continuous service, Vision Reimbursement for eye lenses or contacts is provided up to a set dollar amount. This vision reimbursement benefit is available to employees only.

COUNTY ALLOWANCE DOLLARS

The County provides up to $300 of flex dollars annually, dependent upon the eligible employee's represented or unrepresented classification.  These flex dollars can be used to pay for medical premiums.  The unused portion of these flex dollars are deposited into a Health Flexible Spending Account for the employee, which can be used for unreimbursed medical expenses. 

HEALTH FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT

Employees may opt to salary contribute on a pre-tax basis up to $5,000 for eligible out of pocket medical, dental and vision expenses such as: prescription co-pays, office visit co-pays, prescription eye glasses or contact lenses.

DEPENDENT CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

For employees who have either children under age 13 or dependents (parent, sibling or in-law incapable of self-care) that are dependent upon the employee for care can salary contribute on a pre-tax basis up to $5,000 annually. These pre-tax dollars can be used to pay for day care expenses provided by a licensed facility.

LIFE INSURANCE

The County pays for a Basic Life Insurance policy of $9,000 up to $20,000 for an employee based on the affiliation with their appropriate union.

COMMUTER BENEFITS

For the 2011 Plan Year, an employee can set aside up to $230 a month in pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified work-related parking and commuting to and from work transit fees.

HOLIDAYS

Most employees are provided 11 paid holidays plus four floating holidays dependent upon the union bargaining unit.

VACATION AND SICK LEAVE WITH PAY

Vacation accrual ranges from two weeks to five weeks depending upon years of service and the union bargaining unit to which the position is assigned. Sick leave accruals are based on the union bargaining unit and are defined in the corresponding Memorandum of Understanding.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)

The County has an EAP available for employees, spouses/domestic partners and eligible dependents.  This program provides services such as: counseling, financial consulting, child and elder care consulting and some legal counseling.

DISABILITY or INCOME REPLACEMENT

Two voluntary plans are offered: Short-term Disability and Long-term Disability can be purchased through a payroll deduction or with accrued vacation hours depending upon the union bargaining unit.

LONG TERM CARE

This voluntary benefit extends care for yourself and/or your spouse and/or your parents who experience a serious accident, chronic illness or frailties of old age. Places where care can be provided are: in one’s home, at a nursing home, at an assisted living facility or adult day care center.

RETIREMENT

The County retirement program is a Defined Benefit plan and is governed under the provisions of the 1937 Act systems. The County’s retirement is based on one’s age upon entrance, compensation, years of service and specific percentage of employee/employer contributions with the County’s portion vesting after five years of employment.
 
DEFERRED COMPENSATION

The County offers a Deferred Compensation program where an eligible employee can voluntarily contribute on a pre-tax and/or after-tax basis, a minimum of $20 per pay period up to the total annual contribution limit.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

VETERAN’S PREFERENCE
Those claiming additional preference points as a VETERAN must submit a copy of the DD214 form on the day of the oral examination. Those claiming additional preference points as a DISABLED VETERAN must submit a copy of the DD214 form and a letter from the Department of Veteran Affairs confirming eligibility for additional points on the day of the oral examination.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
The Human Resource Services Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate qualified individuals with mental and physical disabilities, and/or medical conditions in accordance/compliance with the State Fair Employment Housing Act (FEHA), Federal Americans with Disability Act (ADA) of 1990, and Alameda County Resolution No. R-83-773.  To request reasonable accommodation, you must notify the Human Resource Representative listed on this bulletin as soon as possible and before the last day to file, in order to make the necessary arrangements during each step of the examination process.                                                               (510) 272-3703 (TDD)

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER
All government employees are disaster service workers as defined by California Government Code Section 3100.  In addition to everyday duties, employees have the added responsibility of helping throughout any disaster.

DMV EMPLOYER PULL NOTICE PROGRAM
All county employees who drive on county business are required to enroll in the California Department of Motor Vehicles Employer Pull Notice Program in an effort to promote driver safety.  Employees’ driver record reports will be released to the County Safety Officer in Risk Management to ensure that employees have valid driver’s licenses and are eligible to drive on county business.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION
An applicant’s previous employment may be investigated.  Results of this investigation may be cause for disqualification.  Also, all convictions will be reviewed and may result in a request for additional information or termination of employment.  A conviction record will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from employment.  Each case will be given individual consideration, based on job-relatedness.

MEDICAL EXAMINATION
All prospective county employees must pass a medical examination before beginning employment.  For positions which require a commercial driver’s license and the performance of functions defined as “safety sensitive,” Federal law and County policy requires that the examination include a drug screening process.  Offers of employment are conditional upon successful completion of this examination.

Alameda County is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.  Women, ethnic and racial minorities and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  Applicants will be considered without regard to their race, color, religion, sex national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, or any other non-job-related factor.