KCSO merit board broadens medical assistant qualifications, adds phlebotomy certification requirement

The KCSO merit board approved changes to two job descriptions on its agenda to broaden recruitment for a medical assistant role and add a required certification for a phlebotomy position.

Misty Smith, who spoke on behalf of staff, said the current medical assistant description contains language that limits recruiting. She asked the board to remove the highlighted restriction and replace it with a broader provision allowing either a certification or registration, "so we're just asking to be able to broaden that recruiting." Smith said several entities now certify candidates and the narrower language on the form was constraining her department's applicants.

On the phlebotomy position, Smith said the proposed change adds a requirement that candidates "must possess a valid phlebotomy certification" because the skill level required by the population served needs that credential. She said the department currently has the phlebotomy position open and one medical assistant vacancy, and that staff typically expects candidates to have roughly "100 to 500 sticks at a minimum," a level of experience staff equates to about a year.

A board member moved to approve both revised job descriptions and another member seconded. The motion was approved by voice vote with no roll-call tally recorded.

The board did not specify implementation dates; staff indicated the changes are intended to broaden the candidate pool and ensure necessary skill levels for current openings. The meeting then proceeded to a separate personnel item.