Medical Assistant

Medical Assistant

The Medical Assistant performs a blend of clinical and administrative duties in an ambulatory care setting under the supervision of a physician, provider, and/or registered nurse. This role supports high-quality patient care by assisting with examinations and procedures, administering medications and vaccines, performing venipuncture and diagnostic tests, documenting vital signs and clinical activities, and providing telephone and clerical support. The position may float to multiple sites within the health system and plays a key role in ensuring efficient patient flow, regulatory compliance, and a safe, patient-centered environment.

Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the achievement of department goals and objectives and adhere to all policies, procedures, quality, and safety standards, as well as applicable governmental regulations and accreditation requirements.
• Assist providers with preparing patients for examinations and minor office procedures, and support providers during exams and patient education activities.
• Support members of the clinical care team to ensure optimal, best-practice patient flow and effectively manage variable and unpredictable patient volume throughout the workday.
• Provide clerical support and serve as backup for the Patient Services Coordinator or other team members as needed.
• Participate in daily team huddles to review and prepare for scheduled patient visits and anticipated care needs.
• Screen all patients, regardless of visit type, for preventive care needs, ongoing support needs, barriers to care, safety concerns, and potential fall risk.
• Conduct surveillance for transitions of care, urgent or emergent care needs, and follow-up tasks such as retrieving documents associated with referrals and testing.
• Conduct motivational interviews that include patient screening and coaching on disease management, readiness and motivation to change, learning and care needs, and community outreach needs.
• Identify potential behavioral health needs using appropriate screening tools and promptly notify the provider of findings.
• Report actual and potential problems concerning patients, families, and associates using established reporting protocols as part of a high-reliability organization.
• Participate in performance improvement initiatives to enhance care quality and patient safety.
• Maintain ongoing compliance with regulatory, accreditation, and quality/safety standards by auditing temperature logs, ensuring medication supplies are current and unexpired, checking and maintaining emergency equipment, and keeping work areas free of clutter.
• Participate in population management activities by understanding the populations served and engaging patients in self-management support, health goal setting, pre-visit planning, and capturing information that drives healthcare improvement.
• Perform selected patient and laboratory testing within scope of practice, including Point of Care testing, tuberculosis skin testing, electrocardiography, pulmonary function tests, and vision and hearing testing as required by the provider and site.
• Remove sutures and staples after the provider has examined the patient and written the appropriate order, and accurately document these activities in the electronic medical record (EMR) or other designated systems.
• Document clinically related activities accurately in the EMR, and perform required patient follow-up for tests and procedures such as Pap smears, lead (Pb) levels, HIV testing, mammograms, and sexually transmitted disease screenings.
• Collect and process specimens, complete requisitions, and document in logbooks or other applicable forms and records.
• Provide escort services for patients and assist with discharge activities, including chaperoning patients in accordance with policy.
• Fulfill infection prevention and environmental responsibilities, including light cleaning during clinic hours, cleaning equipment, updating records of scheduled equipment maintenance, and managing drug and medical supply inventories.
• Provide telephone screening services to gather information from patients, determine appropriate disposition, and document interactions according to established telephone screening protocols.
• Under onsite provider supervision, insert intravenous catheters for IV fluid therapy or administration of intravenous medications as ordered.
• Under direct onsite physician supervision, insert, remove, and monitor urinary catheters for procedures, and prepare and administer oral medications and injections limited to intradermal, subcutaneous, and intramuscular routes.
• Perform phlebotomy, including venipuncture, as needed for laboratory testing.
• Use the EMR to propose patient medication refills for provider approval and complete requisitions for tests when applicable.
• Contact insurance companies to obtain pre-authorizations for patient medications and specialty referrals, including insurance authorization processes.
• Float to other sites and locations within the health system as appropriate and perform all duties at multiple sites.
• Attend scheduled meetings, including regular staff meetings and training classes related to safety, infection control, OSHA, CLIA, BLS, and other required education.
• Demonstrate behavior consistent with the organization's mission, vision, goals, values, and patient care standards, providing compassionate and respectful patient care.
• Measure and document vital signs accurately, including blood pressure, and perform triage as needed.
• Deliver excellent customer service and patient interaction, ensuring a positive experience for patients and families.
• Support accurate insurance verification and prior authorization processes to facilitate timely patient care.

Essential Skills:

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Less than 1 year, with a minimum of 6 months of experience working in an ambulatory care medical office or equivalent required; an externship in a medical or ambulatory health setting strongly preferred.
• Completion of an accredited Medical Assistant program preferred.
• Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) through the American Association of Medical Assistants, or equivalent, obtained within 1 year of hire.
• Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) credential through American Medical Technologists, or equivalent, obtained within 1 year of hire.
• CPR certification for healthcare providers (including BLS and NRP) from the American Heart Association or American Red Cross obtained within 90 days of hire.
• Clinical competency verified within a 90-day orientation period and annually thereafter.
• Demonstrated ability to perform venipuncture and phlebotomy safely and accurately.
• Ability to administer oral medications and injections (intradermal, subcutaneous, and intramuscular) under appropriate supervision.
• Proficiency in measuring and documenting vital signs and performing basic triage.
• Experience in an ambulatory care or medical office environment, including patient care and medical assisting responsibilities.
• Excellent customer service and patient interaction skills.
• Ability to use basic computer systems and navigate an electronic medical record (EMR).
• Knowledge of infection prevention practices, safety standards, and basic environmental maintenance in a clinical setting.
• Ability to follow established protocols for telephone screening, documentation, and clinical workflows.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in documentation, specimen handling, and regulatory compliance.

Additional Skills & Qualifications:

• Completion of an accredited Medical Assistant program is preferred and may strengthen clinical readiness.
• Externship experience in a medical or ambulatory health setting is strongly preferred and may substitute for required ambulatory care office experience when completed within the health system.
• Additional unit or specialty certifications may be required depending on department or business unit.
• Familiarity with ambulatory hospital settings, including vascular care teams, is beneficial.
• Experience with population health management, preventive care screening, and patient self-management support is an advantage.
• Comfort with performing Point of Care testing, tuberculosis skin testing, electrocardiography, pulmonary function tests, and vision and hearing screening.
• Ability to conduct motivational interviewing and identify behavioral health needs using standardized screening tools.
• Experience with insurance verification, prior authorizations, and coordination of specialty referrals.
• Basic understanding of OSHA, CLIA, infection control, and safety regulations in clinical environments.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced setting with variable patient volume and to float between multiple locations as needed.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate with physicians, nurses, and other clinical and non-clinical team members.

Work Environment:

This position is based in a hospital and ambulatory care setting, working closely with a vascular team within a large, integrated health system. The environment is fast-paced and patient-focused, with care delivered across multiple sites, including clinics and community-based locations. The Medical Assistant works Monday through Friday, typically from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and may be required to float to other sites within the system. Work involves direct patient contact, use of medical equipment for diagnostic testing and procedures, and regular use of an electronic medical record system. The culture emphasizes education, innovation, research, and continuous professional development, supporting team members through ongoing training in