Medical Assistant

About the role

The Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) provides high-quality clinical and patient care support to physicians and advanced practice providers in a clinical setting. This position plays an essential role in maintaining efficient patient flow and ensuring patients are appropriately prepared for their visit with the provider. The CMA demonstrates professionalism, compassion, confidentiality, attention to detail, and adherence to established clinical, safety, infection-control, and regulatory standards.

Responsibilities

• Patient Intake and Clinical Support
  • Greet and appropriately prepare patients for their appointments.
  • Escort patients to examination rooms and ensure they are comfortable and prepared for the provider.
  • Obtain and document vital signs, weight, chief complaint, and relevant patient history.
  • Review and document past medical, family, and social history, current medications, allergies, and other pertinent information.
  • Update and maintain accurate patient information in the electronic medical record.
  • Assist providers in maintaining efficient patient flow and minimizing unnecessary patient wait times.
  • Recognize and promptly communicate significant or abnormal patient findings to the appropriate provider.
• Examination and Procedure Support
  • Prepare treatment and examination rooms before and between patient visits.
  • Assist providers with examinations, procedures, and treatments as directed.
  • Ensure appropriate clinical equipment and supplies are available and properly maintained.
  • Maintain clean, organized, and appropriately stocked clinical areas.
  • Follow established procedures for cleaning, disinfection, and infection prevention.
• Laboratory and Ancillary Services
  • Collect blood and other patient specimens as trained and authorized.
  • Properly identify, label, process, store, and prepare specimens for laboratory analysis.
  • Perform routine laboratory tests and other ancillary services within the scope of training and applicable regulations.
  • Maintain laboratory logs, equipment records, controls, and calibration documentation as required.
  • Report laboratory results to the provider and contact patients regarding results when directed.
  • Ensure compliance with applicable requirements related to clinical equipment, laboratory testing, quality control, and safety.
• Medication and Patient Education
  • Prepare and administer medications as directed by the provider and as permitted by applicable laws, regulations, certification, and organizational policies.
  • Provide patients with provider-directed information regarding medications, treatments, procedures, and follow-up instructions.
  • Document medications, treatments, and patient education accurately in the medical record.
  • Provide patient samples as directed by the provider and accurately document samples on the Sample Medication Log.
• Technology and Administrative Support
  • Utilize the electronic medical record and other clinical technology accurately and efficiently.
  • Complete annual wellness visits and health risk assessment processes according to established policies and procedures.
  • Complete required logs, reports, and clinical documentation in a timely manner.
  • Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by management or the provider.

Requirements

• Current Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) certification through AAMA, NCMA certification, or another nationally recognized medical assistant certification accepted by the organization.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
• Previous experience working in a physician practice, outpatient clinic, or similar clinical healthcare environment preferred.
• Strong patient-service orientation and the ability to interact compassionately and professionally with patients of diverse backgrounds.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients, providers, and coworkers.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in clinical documentation.
• Ability to maintain strict patient confidentiality and comply with HIPAA and organizational privacy policies.
• Working knowledge of electronic medical records and clinical technology.

Skills

• Efficiently room patients and prepare them for examination and evaluation by the physician or advanced practice provider.
• Obtain and accurately document vital signs, weight, medical history, medications, allergies, and other pertinent clinical information.
• Prepare examination rooms, equipment, and supplies for patient visits, procedures, and treatments.
• Assist physicians and advanced practice providers with examinations, procedures, and other clinical activities within the scope of training, certification, and applicable regulations.
• Perform approved clinical and laboratory procedures accurately and in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Collect, label, process, and prepare patient specimens for laboratory testing.
• Administer medications and treatments as directed by the provider and in accordance with applicable policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Communicate effectively and professionally with patients, providers, clinical staff, and other team members.
• Educate patients regarding provider-directed treatment instructions, medications, procedures, and follow-up care.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation in the electronic medical record.
• Maintain patient confidentiality and comply with HIPAA and all applicable privacy requirements.
• Follow infection-control, bloodborne pathogen, OSHA, laboratory, and workplace safety requirements.
• Prioritize and organize multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Manage frequent interruptions while maintaining patient safety and quality of care.

Work Environment

This position works primarily in a clinical/outpatient healthcare environment and requires frequent, direct interaction with patients throughout the workday. The employee will work in examination rooms, clinical work areas, laboratory areas, nursing stations, and other designated areas of the clinic.

• The position requires alternating between sitting and standing throughout the workday and frequent walking between patient rooms and clinical work areas.
• The employee may work in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions, changing priorities, and multiple patient-care responsibilities.
• The employee may be exposed to blood, bodily fluids, communicable diseases, medications, cleaning/disinfecting agents, and other potentially hazardous materials. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), infection-control procedures, and safety protocols must be followed at all times.

Cognitive Demands

• Maintain attention to detail and accuracy while performing clinical and documentation tasks.
• Collect, interpret, and accurately document routine patient information.
• Follow established clinical procedures, policies, and provider instructions.
• Prioritize and organize multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Manage frequent interruptions while maintaining patient safety and quality of care.
• Exercise appropriate judgment regarding patient information and recognize when information or findings should be immediately communicated to a provider.
• Communicate effectively with patients, providers, and coworkers.
• Maintain confidentiality and discretion when handling sensitive patient information.
• Learn and use electronic medical records, clinical technology, telehealth platforms, and other computer-based systems.
• Remain professional and composed when interacting with patients who may be anxious, distressed, or experiencing discomfort.
• Recall and apply established procedures, protocols, safety requirements, and infection-control practices.

Physical Demands

This position is classified as Light Work and may require exerting up to approximately 25 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently to move objects.

• Frequently (46–100% of the workday):
  • Standing
  • Walking
  • Sitting
  • Reaching
  • Bending/stooping
  • Fingering
  • Grasping
  • Handling
  • Talking
  • Hearing
  • Repetitive hand and arm movements
  • Pushing and pulling
  • Moving between examination rooms and clinical work areas
• Occasionally:
  • Kneeling
  • Crouching
  • Lifting and carrying supplies or equipment
  • Assisting with positioning or movement of patients within the employee's training and applicable safety requirements
• Other physical activities necessary to perform essential clinical functions.

The employee must be able to safely perform the physical requirements of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Vision Demands

The position requires sufficient visual acuity to perform essential clinical and administrative functions, including:

• Reading and reviewing patient medical records and clinical documentation.
• Viewing computer monitors and electronic medical records.
• Reading medication labels, laboratory information, clinical instructions, and equipment displays.
• Accurately entering and reviewing information in electronic systems.
• Observing patients and recognizing visible changes in their condition.
• Performing clinical procedures requiring close visual attention.
• Distinguishing colors, markings, or indicators when necessary for laboratory testing, equipment operation, or clinical procedures.

Close visual acuity, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus may be required to safely and effectively perform essential job functions.

Safety and Exposure Risks

Because this position involves direct patient care and clinical procedures, the employee may be at risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens and other potentially infectious materials. The employee is required to follow all applicable infection-control, OSHA, bloodborne pathogen, PPE, workplace safety, and organizational policies and procedures.