Medical Assistant

NOTICE OF CHANGE:
This recruitment will remain open until filled.
Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis with the first review on 09/02/2026.

SALARY
$28.76 - $34.25 Hourly
$59,824.96 - $71,244.16 Annually
Bilingual allowance, when applicable

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The County of Santa Barbara is currently seeking dedicated and compassionate Medical Assistants to join our team. As a Medical Assistant, you will play a crucial role in providing high-quality care to our patients. This position offers the opportunity to work in a dynamic environment, collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to deliver comprehensive services.

We are currently accepting applications to fill three (3) bilingual (English/ Spanish) full-time Medical Assistant vacancies in Santa Barbara, one (1) bilingual (English/Spanish) full-time, floating Medical Assistant vacancy in South County (Santa Barbara and Carpinteria) and four (4) 1414* bilingual (English/Spanish) full-time Medical Assistant vacancies in Santa Barbara at County of Santa Barbara Health.

We are also accepting applications to establish one employment list that will be used to fill current and future Full-Time, Part-Time, Extra Help and 1414* vacancies in multiple locations including Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Lompoc. This job classification is also utilized by the Department of Behavioral Wellness within the County. Please select ALL departments and locations you would like to be considered for current and future vacancies.

*CSR 1414 (Leave of Absence): Some vacancies on this recruitment are to fill positions vacated as a result of a leave of absence (CSR 1414) and the duration of the appointment shall be subject to the return of the individual who is on leave. A person who is appointed to a position under CSR 1414 may be able to transition into a regular position in the classification without re-application or re-testing, depending on the performance of the appointee and the needs of the department.

Visa Sponsorship: Please note this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment.

BENEFITS: The County of Santa Barbara offers generous benefits. Click on the Benefits Tab above or CLICK HERE to view more information.

In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for:

• Retirement reciprocity
• Time and service credit towards for an advanced vacation accrual rate

THE POSITION: Under medical supervision, assists professionals in the delivery of health care services; and performs related duties as required.

The IDEAL CANDIDATE will possess:

• Experience working with underserved & economically disadvantaged populations.
• Excellent customer service and organizational skills.
• Ability to maintain a professional demeanor.
• Ability to take initiative and remain professional at all times.
• Proven track record of working well as part of a team.
• Experience working with electronic medical records.

The County Health Department is seeking Medical Assistants to support the Primary Care & Family Health (PCFH) division by serving at one of five Federally Qualified Health Care Centers (FQHCs) across Santa Barbara County offering a wide variety of services for adults, teens, children and infants. At our Health Care Centers, the medical assistant will focus on patient engagement and assisting with administrative tasks to support client care. County Health is looking for candidates passionate about assisting underserved populations and making a positive impact to their communities through public health initiatives. To learn more about our Health Care Centers, please visit: https://www.countyofsb.org/2100/Health-Care-Centers

The Behavioral Wellness Department is seeking Medical Assistants to support Behavioral Wellness’s mental health team. These positions will be assigned to serve the clinics in one of the three regions within Santa Barbara County. They will focus on patient engagement and assisting with administrative tasks to support client care. Behavioral Wellness is looking for candidates passionate about the mental health field, and who enjoy supporting their community. To learn more about the Mental Health team, please visit: https://www.countyofsb.org/bw-mental-health-services-for-adults

THE DEPARTMENTS:

County of Santa Barbara Health (County Health): Founded in 1925, our mission is to improve the health of our communities by preventing disease, promoting wellness and health equity, while ensuring access to needed health care, and maintaining a safe and healthy environment. Our vision of “healthy people, healthy community, healthy environment” is made possible through our team of over 500 professionals. With an annual budget of $118.8 million, we serve more than 440,000 residents across Santa Barbara County through a wide range of innovative public health programs and services.

The Department’s range of responsibilities includes:

• Investigating disease outbreaks
• Conducting health education campaigns
• Inspecting food establishments
• Working with high risk mothers and children
• Operating health clinics for the underserved
• Staffing medical shelters during emergency evacuations
• Caring for our four-legged friends through our animal control program and many other programs and services.

Click on the image above learn how our Health Centers
support healthier lives in Santa Barbara County.

For more information, please visit: www.countyofsb.org/ch-county-health

Department of Behavioral Wellness (BWell): Founded in 1962, it is our mission to promote the prevention of and recovery from mental illness and addiction among individuals, families and communities, by providing effective leadership and delivering state-of-the-art, culturally competent services. The Department provides treatment, rehabilitation, and support services to 10,000 clients with mental illness and substance use disorders annually through its professional staff of over 400, in addition to its many contracted Community-Based Organization (CBO) providers.

The Department’s decisions and service delivery are guided by the following values:

• Quality services for persons of all ages with mental illness and/or substance abuse
• Integrity in individual and organizational actions
• Dignity, respect, and compassion for all persons
• Active involvement of clients and families in treatment, recovery, and policy development
• Diversity throughout our organization and cultural competency in service delivery
• A system of care and recovery that is clearly defined and promotes recovery and resiliency
• Emphasis on prevention and treatment
• Teamwork among department employees in an atmosphere that is respectful and creative
• Continuous quality improvement in service delivery and administration
• Wellness modeled for our clients at all levels; i.e., staff who regularly arrive at the workplace healthy, energetic and resilient
• Safety for everyone

For more information, please visit: https://www.countyofsb.org/bw-behavioral-wellness

In a Health Care Center Environment

1. Identifies patient's chief complaint and records observations in patient's permanent medical record.
2. Performs height, weight, vital signs, and vision tests and records them in the medical record.
3. Helps patients to complete medical history forms and prepares patients for examinations and treatment by provider.
4. Conducts and/or assists with tests and procedures as directed, such as EKGs, non-stress tests, spirometer, audiometer, venipunctures, skin punctures, strep screen, glucometer, chemical analyzer, and urine tests.
5. Assists health service providers with treatments and examinations of patients such as wound care, pelvic exams, minor surgery, and IUD insertions.
6. Assists in the identification of psychosocial needs and consults with the health service provider or makes referrals to appropriate agencies.
7. Performs case management which may include monitoring care alerts, scheduling appointments for specialty tests, hospital admissions, and surgeries; following up on broken appointments to explain the need and value of returning for follow-up care, and arranging transportation.
8. Provides discharge/exit instructions to patients, prepares referral forms, such as treatment authorization, insurance, disability, and employment physical forms, as directed; transcribes doctors' orders and prepares appropriate requisitions and forms.
9. Provides health education for patients or groups on such topics as nutrition counseling, diabetes counseling, well children counseling and other health related topics for pregnant women and infants.
10. Cleans and sterilizes equipment and stocks clinics or vehicles used for home visits or outlying clinics.
11. Takes direction from the assigned healthcare provider (physician or health care practitioner) as to tasks to perform in the engagement of patient care.

In a Field-Based Environment

1. Identifies patient's chief complaint and records observations in designated records and data systems.
2. Performs and records data on height, weight, vital signs, and visual screening tests.
3. As directed, conducts and/or assists with clinical services such as tuberculin skin tests (TSTs), venipuncture, and audiometry and visual screening tests.
4. Conducts field visits with Public Health Nurses and/or may make independent home visits under the general direction and supervision of a Public Health Nurse.
5. In coordination with Public Health Nurses, assists with communicable disease investigations for Sexually Transmitted Disease, Tuberculosis, and other communicable diseases.
6. Collects specimens; labels and delivers specimens as directed by Public Health Nurse.
7. As part of the public health team, assumes a key role in communicable disease case management activities.
8. Provides health education for patients or groups on such topics as communicable diseases and health care for school-age children, infants, and pregnant women.
9. Links patients to community resources and medical providers based on patient needs.

Possession of a Medical Assistant Certificate issued by an accredited institution.

Additional Qualifications: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License may be required for some positions in this class.

Knowledge of: basic medical terminology, basic arithmetic, safe venipuncture techniques, and safe work practices in a health care center or community-based setting.

Ability to: work independently; conduct basic medical tests, such as vision and audiometry; understand the needs and problems facing culturally, economically, or socially disadvantaged persons; establish and maintain good relations with people from a wide range of social and ethnic groups; maintain confidentiality of patient information; understand and follow oral and written instructions; observe, report, and accurately record relevant information in patient records; follow established protocols for conducting medical tests and procedures; communicate medical and health information to patients understandably; show sensitivity and empathy toward patients; write legibly; elicit sensitive medical information from patients; and use computerized medical office systems.

Desirable Qualifications: Possession of a phlebotomy certificate is highly desired and hiring preference will be given to candidates possessing this certificate in the Field-Based Environment or in a Health Care Center Environment depending on the specific needs of each Health Care Center. A California Department of Public Health phlebotomy certificate is highly desirable for field-based positions.

Bilingual – Speaking Requirements: Some vacancies may require the ability to converse fluently in English and Spanish. Applicants interested in being considered for bilingual positions must self-certify on their application that they are fluent in English and Spanish. Hiring departments may test applicants to verify their fluency. If an applicant does not demonstrate sufficient fluency, their name may be withheld from certification for bilingual vacancies or removed from the employment list, in accordance with Civil Service Rules.

NOTE: Possession of a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) certificate issued by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) may be highly desirable for certain positions and hiring preference may be given to candidates possessing this certificate.

APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS:

1. Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards.

1. Supplemental Questionnaire Rating. Responses to the required supplemental questionnaire will be evaluated and scored. Candidates’ final score and rank on the eligibility list will be determined by the responses to these questions. This process may be eliminated if there are fewer than 17 qualified candidates.

Candidates must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the Supplemental Questionnaire Rating to be placed on an employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule 6. Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months. At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive an email notice of their score on the examination, rank on the employment list, and duration of the employment list.

VETERAN’S PREFERENCE POINTS: Veteran’s preference credit is applicable for this recruitment (5 points for veterans, 10 points for disabled veterans). To be eligible for this credit, you must be applying for this position within five years from your most recent date of: (1) honorable discharge from active military service; or, (2) discharge from a military or veterans’ hospital where treatment and confinement were for a disability incurred during active military service; or, (3) completion of education or training funded by a Federal Educational Assistance Act. No time limit exists for veterans with 30% or more disability.

To receive veteran’s preference points, you must: (1) select the Veteran’s Preference Points box on the employment application form, (2) submit a copy of your Form DD214 and/or disability letter (if applicable) to the Human Resources Department on or before the examination date, and (3) pass all phases of the examination process. The preference points will be added to your final test score.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We require verification of accommodation needed from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution.

Recruiters will communicate with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.

County of Santa Barbara Health (County Health) requires all employees working in direct contact with patients or clients in a high-risk environment to comply with the County Health Employee Immunizations policy. This can be accomplished by providing documentation of immunizations, submitting laboratory immune titers demonstrating adequate immunity, or obtaining required vaccinations. A list of requirements, based on the specific program, will be sent at the time an offer letter is presented to the selected candidate(s) and initial documentation will be required at this time.

Conditional Job Offer: Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, candidate will be required to successfully complete a background check, which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks. The appointee may be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination. The appointee must satisfactorily complete a one-year probationary period.

Disaster Service Workers: Pursuant to Governmental Code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

The County of Santa Barbara provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any type with regard to any characteristic or status protected by any federal law, state law, or Santa Barbara County ordinance. The County continues to be committed to a merit-based selection process and to eliminating barriers to attracting and retaining top qualified candidates. The County has a longstanding practice of providing a work environment that respects the dignity of individual employees and values their contributions to our organization.

APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: This recruitment will remain open until filled; postmarks not accepted. Applications and job postings can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com.

Farrah Medrano, County Health Talent Acquisition Lead – PHDRecruiter@sbcphd.org.