Medical Assistant

The United States Peace Corps is a non-political, non-religious organization that will bring Americans to Viet Nam to serve as Peace Corps Volunteers. Volunteers will co-teach English language classes with Vietnamese teachers in secondary schools. The Peace Corps is serving in Viet Nam at the invitation of the Government of Viet Nam and working closely with Ministry of Education and Training with a goal to improve the English language skills of teachers and students. Peace Corps Volunteers commit to two years of service, will live with host families, and will support and co-lead additional school related activities in accordance with the school leadership. A new cohort of Volunteers will arrive each year. The Peace Corps was founded by U.S. President John F. Kennedy in 1961 to promote world peace and friendship.

General information about the Peace Corps can be found on www.peacecorps.gov.

Position Title: Medical Assistant

Opening Date: March 26, 2021

Submission Date for first review: April 16, 2021, Open until filled

Area of Consideration/Who may apply: All applicants must be a naturalized citizen or permanent resident of Viet Nam who are legally able to work within the country.

Point of Contact: Peace Corps Human Resources - PCVietNamJobs@peacecorps.gov

Market Value/Salary (per annum): US$ 16,364– US$ 24,536 + benefits (8)

Period of Performance/ Length of Contract/ Work Schedule: Definite term – five years/ Monday to Friday (40 hours per week). Peace Corps expects this contract to be continuing in nature for the contractor to perform under a series of sequential contracts, subject to the availability of funds.

Place of Performance: Peace Corps Viet Nam, Peace Corps office Ha Noi.

Security Level required: Local Security Certificate

Background information of the position

This position performs a variety of clinical and administrative duties in support of the Health Unit. The Medical Assistant (MA) works under the guidance of Peace Corps Medical Officers (PCMOs) and reports to the Country Director (CD) for administrative issues (unless CD authorizes PCMO supervision).

The MA is responsible for providing administrative support and, to the extent credentialed, clinical support, including but not limited to; working as the health unit receptionist, actively assisting the PCMOs in clinical care*, screening phone calls, taking messages, coordinating requests, scheduling medical appointments, distributing of medicines to Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) under PCMO oversight, and other clerical and administrative functions in support of the PCMOs.

* Clinical duties will be performed with clinical oversight by the PCMOs and only as approved by the Medical Director through the Credentialing Committee/Office of Health Services (OHS).

Qualifications

• Successful completion of a nursing school (technical/university degree), general medical school, or medical assistant program, and valid registered clinical license/diploma or applicable knowledge and experience obtained through on-the-job training under the direct guidance of a provider (supporting documentation must be submitted).

• Two years progressively responsible related experience with knowledge of administrative medical duties related to health services. Clerical and secretarial experience desirable.

• English fluency required.

• Basic knowledge of administration of health units/facilities, including procurement of medical supplies and inventory control.

• The use of standard office technology (desktop computer, mouse, and keyboard) to complete daily tasks and long-term projects is expected. Working knowledge of Microsoft Windows and Office programs (Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.) is also required.

Duties and Responsibilities / Tasks and Deliverables

SUPPORT TO THE HEALTH UNIT

The Medical Assistant coordinates responsibilities directly with the PCMOs. The MA must adhere to confidentiality regarding PCVs medical issues and possess excellent interpersonal and administrative skills.

Clinical Support

• Performs a variety of non-invasive routine clinical and technical services under the supervision of the PCMOs, which may include clinical tasks such as taking vital signs, administering immunizations, performing laboratory tests, etc. These privileges must be approved by the Medical Director/OHS.

• Supervising PCMOs are responsible to ensure that MAs perform appropriate health care services. Even under supervision, MAs are not allowed to assist with or perform any unapproved services.

• Responsible for sterilization of equipment.

• Serves as chaperone for PCMOs during PCV medical examinations and procedures.

Administrative Support

• Screens phone calls and takes messages when PCMOs are unavailable.

• Places and returns telephone calls for the Health Unit, including scheduling, modifying, and canceling appointments in coordination with PCVs, PCMOs, and others (including consultants and laboratories).

• Follows-up on outstanding consultant and laboratory reports, ensuring this information is relayed to the PCMOs for review.

• Drafts correspondence such as letters, memos, and fax covers, etc. at the request of the PCMOs to consultants, PCVs, laboratories, hospitals, etc.

• Routes incoming correspondence to PCMOs, stamps and files correspondence.

• Utilizes PCMEDICS to assist the PCMOs and backup provider in the documentation and delivery of PCV health care, and to document clinical care given as trained.

• Responsible for scanning, labeling, uploading and filing all documents into PCMEDICS after PCMO review and signature, also ensures that three PCV identifiers are on each page of each document.

• Prepares envelopes and packages, including laboratory samples and medical supplies, to be sent to PCVs, training sites, and other destinations, and forwards them to the appropriate administrative staff for delivery.

• Responsible for photocopying health forms, medical presentation materials and other related documents.

• Responsible for requesting office supplies and materials for use in the Health Unit.

• Regularly updates the list of medical facilities and medical service providers under the instruction and oversight by the PCMOs.

• Assists PCMOs in reviewing the Volunteer Health Handbook given to PCVs during Pre-Service Training (PST). Updates medical facilities and medical providers’ addresses, contact information, and any other information required in this Handbook.

• Manages the health information materials in the Health Unit available to PCV, stocking brochures, pamphlets and books. Keeps a detailed list of any books and/or media materials loaned out.

• Responsible for receiving and registering all medical bills submitted by PCVs and local medical service providers. Submits bills to PCMOs for approval, verifying name of PCV, date of services rendered, and that all billed services were requested by the PCMOs.

• Keeps updated files of all medical bills presented by PCVs and others.

• Maintains Volunteer database with up-to-date information regarding PCVs out of site for medical purposes.

• Uploads PCV passport face pages and visa pages into PCMEDICS, monitoring regularly to assure accurate and current information.

Medical Supply Duties

• Maintains internal medical inventory for the medical unit, ensuring an adequate supply of disposable materials and keeping PCMOs informed.

• Responsible for updating internal medical inventory system (as determined by the PCMOs) when medication/supplies are delivered, dispensed and destroyed.

• Assists the Acceptance Point Clerk (APC) when medical supplies are received.

• Provides documentation to the Medical Supply Inventory Control Clerk (MSICC) on receiving, dispensing and disposing of specially designated medications and controlled substances.

• Keeps an accurate control of the expiration dates of all medicines and alerts the PCMOs of upcoming expired medications. Removes expired items from the pharmacy and logs all items scheduled for disposal.

• Responsible for organization and shelving of Health Unit supplies.

• Assists PCMOs with PCV medical supply requests.

• Prepares draft orders for medical supplies, with PCMO guidance, based on needs, historical data, and inventory availability. Assists the PCMOs in ordering medical supplies from PC/HQ and local/regional vendors.

• Maintains files, according to fiscal year, of all ordering, receiving and dispensing documents in compliance with Technical Guideline 240: Medical Supplies and Equipment.

• Assists PCMOs in the monitoring of the medical supplies budget.

Respiratory Protection Program (RPP)

The Contractor is required to follow any workplace health and/or safety rules indicated for their position specified in a Peace Corps policy/policies (whether implemented under a Peace Corps Manual or Procedures/Program thereunder, Interim Policy Statement, a Medical Technical Guideline, a Peace Corps Headquarters official notice, and/or a Post-specific Policy or Management Notice) – including complying with any medical and/or training requirements the policy/policies specify.

Other Duties

• Attends staff meetings, in-service trainings, and retreats when indicated.

• Understands and complies with Peace Corps safety and security policies and procedures.

• Understands and complies with Peace Corps code of ethics, privacy and confidentiality policies.

• Files all documents produced by the position in accordance with the Peace Corps Records Management policies.

• To the extent Contractor is allowed to operate a US government owned, leased, or rented vehicle (GOV) to perform their job duties, the Contractor must operate that vehicle safely at all times and only operate it for official business purposes as defined in 31 USC 1334. Contractor is encouraged to refrain from texting or from engaging in any behavior that distracts attention from driving safely at any time. Except in an emergency situation, Contractor shall not text message (i) when driving a GOV; (ii) when driving a privately-owned vehicle (POV) while on official government business; or (iii) while using electronic equipment supplied by the government while driving any vehicle (even during off-duty hours).

• Performs other assignments considered as necessary by the PCMOs in consultation with the CD, as indicated

Standard Roles and Responsibilities

A. Occasional Money Handler (OMH): may be requested to courier cash and /or purchase orders to various vendors who furnish supplies and/or services to Pre-Service Training/In-Service Training sites, or other locations as directed by the Contracting Officer. The PSC may also be requested to courier cash to PC trainees or volunteers. The PSC will not be functioning as a procurement or disbursing official but will only be acting as an intermediary between the Contracting or Disbursing Officer and the recipient. In the case of dealing with vendors, the PSC will not exercise any procurement discretion concerning the supplies or services to be purchased or the cost limits of these purchases; these will be determined by the Contracting Officer.

B. Safety &Security:

All members of the Peace Corps team must be familiar with the Emergency Action Plan, their responsibilities in the event of an emergency, and with the procedures for reporting and responding to safety and security incidents.

The duties and responsibilities, particularly as they concern Volunteers and Trainees, include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Immediately communicates Volunteer safety and security concerns and issues to the Safety and Security Manager (SSM) and CD.

• Knowledgeable and supportive of Peace Corps safety and security policies and procedures, including the timely reporting of suspicious incidents, persons or articles.

Evaluation and Selection Criteria:

Applications will be initially screened for eligibility in accordance with the required qualifications mentioned above. Those applicants who meet the required qualifications will be scored based on the preferred qualifications. Highest scoring candidates will be called in for an interviews, language and skills test (presentations, excel/word tests). Performance from all interviews and skills test will be considered as a whole package to ensure the best candidate is selected that meets the needs of the Peace Corps mission. Professional reference checks will be conducted for selected candidates.

How to apply:

Please submit the following in English by email (with your name and the position you are applying for in as the subject of the email) as one PDF file to PCVietNamJobs@peacecorps.gov:

1. Application Cover Letter

2. Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Closing date: Applications should be received 6:00 pm Friday, April 16, 2021 for consideration in the first review. Position remains open until filled. Applications for one position maybe considered for any current open position. No phone calls or personal visits related to this vacancy will be accepted. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

All applicants must pass a background/security investigation and a medical certification. Any contract offer with the US Peace Corps is contingent upon a candidate’s ability to secure the necessary certifications.

All applicants must be a naturalized citizen of the host country or must have the required work permit or documentation that permits the applicant to work legally in the country in order to be eligible for consideration.

The application must contain all the information necessary to demonstrate that the candidate possesses the education, experience, skills and language abilities required for this position.

Benefits and Allowances:

BENEFITS:

• One-month basic salary Tet Bonus

• Contribution to mandatory insurances pursuant to GVN’s law/ regulations including social insurance, health insurance and unemployment insurance.

• Coverage of additional health insurance 90% for incumbent and each eligible family member

• Annual and sick leave according to local labor law

ALLOWANCES (as applicable):

• Unique Condition Work allowance: 7% of Annual basic salary (upon annual review).

• Miscellaneous Benefits Allowance: US$1,000 per annum or US$3,000 per annum

The Peace Corps is both a federal agency and a vehicle through which American citizens offer needed assistance to people around the world and, in doing so, promote greater cross-cultural understanding between Americans and the people of the host countries. The fulfillment of the Peace Corps’ mission to foster greater understanding among the world’s citizens requires that we adhere to the highest standards with respect to equal employment opportunity for all Volunteers, employees, and applicants. The U.S. Peace Corps Vietnam will provide equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color religion, ethnicity, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, pregnancy and maternity or sexual orientation. The Peace Corps will also strive to achieve equal employment opportunity in all personnel operations through continuing diversity enhancement programs. Discrimination based on factors that have no bearing on a person’s ability to serve and perform his or her duties is not permitted and will not be tolerated.