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LifeLong Medical Care

Please excuse the omission of my full job title as this would immediately nullify any anonymity. 

When I joined the company, the founding principles were strong and I felt like a part of "the solution" for the many underserved and frequently neglected members of the community. 

In as little as 6 years, there have been 2 significant shifts in the Senior Leadership Team, leading to multiple changes to the CEO, CFO, the entire HR department, and more. 

Although Lifelong Medical Care is a singular organization, each individual clinic seems to operate with autonomy - despite the drive to standardize operations since the Unionization of Clinical Providers and Clinical Support Staff.  As such, the workplace and management culture can vary drastically. However, in the 6 years I have worked for Lifelong, I can confidently note that I (and many others) have observed a significant drift in the overall company culture, leading to discord between the organization's STATED mission and the outcome of their operations. 

Speaking from the Providers perspective, most (if not all) of us understood that we could be making more money elsewhere, but we chose the mission and to serve the communities that Lifelong attracts. In exchange, we receive fulfillment and joy in the work we do with the expectation that we are supported and appreciated. 

The truth is, Providers are overworked without adequate time to see each and every patient on their overbooked schedules. They are expected to complete chart notes and orders in their own time, with no additional pay. Many (myself included) seldom have time to eat lunch (even though the clinic is closed for an hour) and stay past clinic closing at the end of the day. 

Clinical billing is abysmal - often leaving reimbursable services rendered unbilled. To protect their bottom line, clinic management overwhelm their providers' schedules and pressure them to see a patient even if they arrive well past the generous 15 min "grace period". 

My greatest regret is that I didn't leave the company after my 3rd year - when I noticed the significant and frequent turnover of Providers and Clinical Support Staff (I was one of few Providers who were still there from when I was hired, and most of those who were there before me had already left). 

I had high hopes for our Unionization efforts and was very involved in organizing. Alas, Lifelong was true to their nature and erected roadblock after roadblock and demonstrated that they don't play well with others - failing to negotiate in good faith but expect others to do so. 

When it came time to ratify the collective bargaining agreement, Lifelong's execution was beyond disappointing - it was infuriating.  The disorganization of the company led to Providers being underpaid while others were being overpaid. A few oversight committees never formed (even a year and a half later), it took over a year for them to start paying Providers at the correct rates, and the health benefits tanked*.

*Medical insurance is through a high deductible plan which the company counterbalanced with a well-funded Health Reimbursement Account (HRA), paid for by the company. However, we were notified at the end of 2024 that starting January 2025, the limit of the HRA was drastically being cut to a fraction of what employees had been accustomed to receiving. 

In contrast, the patients generally show much love, appreciation, and understanding for the tough working conditions that the Providers are in. However, in today's political and financial climate in the Bay Area, this simply isn't enough. 

I really like working at LifeLong Medical Care.  It’s a non-profit community health center, with a focus on underserved populations with complex health needs.  I was attracted to LifeLong because of this mission, and I stay because of the mission, commitment to social justice, diversity, supportive/caring colleagues, flexibility in my schedule, and interesting and meaningful work.  There are challenges to working at a community health center, including lower pay than at better-resourced companies and the stresses that go along with working with people in dire situations (living in poverty, homeless, multiple chronic medical conditions, etc).  Staff are expected to work hard, which is fine with me except the culture leans towards overworking (typical of many non-profits).  For me, the trade-offs are worth it because I love my colleagues and I feel really good about my contributions. I've gotten promotions over the years, and there is a commitment to helping staff advance.   Also, even though the pay is generally on the lower side, the benefits package is excellent (and everyone who works half time or more is eligible for benefits).
Come work at LifeLong if you believe that health care is a human right and you dream of making the world a better place.  Of course it’s not that simple, but you will be surrounded by like-minded people doing good work.


Typical day: see from 16-22 patients with lots of medical issues, sometimes have to work through lunch and leave after regular hrs to catch up on other duties

What I have learned: I have learned a lot here. I have learned how to manage complex patients, how to make personal connections with people, patience and how stressful health care can be.  

Management: The floor supervisors and center directors are available most of the time and are easy to talk to in some sites but unresponsive in others. It is difficult to navigate the system because of frequent staff turnover. You have to use a ticketing system to ask for things and sometimes you have to know people and talk to them directly if you want to get your questions answered in a timely fashion. There is a lot of pressure from management to see more patients.

Work place culture: depending on where you work, it can feel like family or dysfunctional. 

The hardest part: finding work/life balance. Too much work and not enough time to do it. Managing complex patients with limited resources.

The most enjoyable part: satisfaction that you are helping people that would otherwise not get help






Don't work here!!! This company only cares about money which is disputable.They don't care about there patient's . There is no patient care here. Patient can never get appointments with there providers or they never return patients calls Staff in the medical clinic don't care about the patient's either. I would never recommend anyone to bring there loves one here for medical care. Stay away from the call center alot of turn over. Supervisor and Director of call center are horrible very unprofessional ,alot of favoritism, rude racists, sacartic talking bad about other employees and fake they both will   set u up for failure if they don't like you. Rules only apply to certain people. They both stress there employees out and very micromanaging control freaks and treat you with no RESPECT & speak to you like you are a child.Employees always walking on egg shells with both of them. They would make you feel incompetent or have attitude for asking questions which were not in the book on how to schedule correctly for clinic.. The call center is a Joke. STAY AWAY FROM THIS  NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION.
Bathroom are disgusting at the  Bancroft location.

I loved this place when I was hired. I came from a job where I was over worked and underpaid. Lifelong felt like a new chapter in my life and was a great new start. The pay at the time was great but after a few years with a freeze in bonuses and denial of raises it was not worth it. Especially moving different departments they will pay you less than new hires. Depending on your department there is great team work at times with co-workers. Management does not care about your concerns if they do not come from providers. Advancement is rarely seen and is only given to the inexperienced since there is a lot of favoritism. I have seen management not want to move people into higher paying departments because "you are really great at your job in the position you are in". People working in the same location for 10 + years will not leave as they are comfortable and work is easy for them. One thing about lifelong is that they are flexible when issues arise and you need to rearrange your schedule.

Had it not been for my wonderful co-worker who taught me most of what I learned, I would have been lost with the minimal job training I received from management. Was brought on as a temp and was kept as that the entire time I worked there, even as the person I was covering quit.  While I got a good job evaluation score and got along with everyone at my location, management did not want to bring me on as a regular employee with benefits since they "did not have the money" but proceeded to create two new useless positions which did not contribute to or help with the overall congested flow of the clinic.

The final nail on the coffin was when after working for the company for ten months, I was denied the Christmas bonus even though I had received an email that I would. That's when I knew I had to leave. 

If you are looking to get experience under your belt, this would be a good start to your career. Overall, they do not pay enough for what they expect from you and management can be incompetent.

What is the best part of working at the company?
The good people working alongside you to provide care to the patients that struggle to make ends meet. I love the patients I have helped most of them are very grateful for the attention we provide them

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The lack of effort being out in by the employer, the company overworks ALL of their employees with very little pay

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Family like, most coworkers are nice and inclusive when preparing days out or even small gatherings for birthdays in clinic

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
A typical day includes seeing a lot of patients and switching back and forth from registration desk to back office. Medical assistants all provide medication for patients and set up for any procedures along side the dr

Working at Lifelong Medical Care every day was great. Seeing and working with my coworkers motivate me to be great, because of the care and support provided our patients. I've learned to ask questions and support when needed. I've managed how to work well under pressure by not get overwhelmed or hustled to just be finished for the day but completing a task with great efforts provided. My coworkers are amazing from leaders, providers, and all other supporting team. The hardest part of the job for me is not giving all I can to help a patient out and the turn around of many great workers to seek better jobs because of the cost of living. But the most enjoyable part of the job is fun and such a uplifting place where people are caring and patients are such characters. The wellness center program hosting groups and different classes for patients is amazing. Facilitating some of the groups really opens up myself to learn more.

Eight plus hours of administrative clinic operations, via emails, organizations website, and onsite, running and overseeing, Staff development,supervision and conflict resolution.  Consistent Patient customer service and satisfaction, problem solving as needed..Co-workers pretty great, caring, diverse, helpful, team players for the most part.

The hardest part, I would say always understanding certain policies and or implementing new changes, like fees, coverage flexibility, that doesn't always benefit the patient or employee. 

I really enjoyed serving the community providing all possible help, assistance and support. 

Upper management changed a couple of years ago, becoming a bit too corporate, and focus on high degrees as opposed to experience and knowledge to my taste

I absolutely can't thank lifelong enough for the support they always gave me. They are one of the best organizations I've ever worked for. Not only did by supervisors show me nothing but the greatest respect they always believed in me and always showed genuine interest in my well-being during covid  I sadly had to move which I voluntarily had to end my employment however I would have stayed with them for a much longer time. Doctors and NP's were genuine and their patients loved them. It was a blessing to have worked with them from the moment Covid began when I was hired to the last day of employment. They are all truly missed. Thank you for the opportunity and will apply again if I move back to the bay area. 

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Order picker 54 salaries reported	$32.25 per hour
Screener 7 salaries reported	$17.00 per hour
Medical assistant 3 salaries reported	$20.67 per hour
Community health worker 3 salaries reported	$22.83 per hour
X-ray technician 1 salary reported	$28.00 per hour

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