Medical Assistant I

About the Role

This position provides assistive care to patients, facilitating the efficient delivery of patient care and supporting the professional role of licensed staff. The incumbent will perform both clinical and clerical functions as a multi-skilled auxiliary worker, including direct patient care and medication administration within their scope of practice and according to state law.

University of Utah Health is a patient-focused organization committed to enhancing health and well-being through patient care, research, and education. Success in this mission requires a culture of collaboration, excellence, leadership, and respect. The organization seeks staff committed to values such as compassion, collaboration, innovation, responsibility, integrity, quality, and trust.

The University of Utah is a Level 1 Trauma Center, nationally ranked for academic research, quality standards, and patient experience. Our five hospitals and eleven clinics provide excellence in comprehensive services, medical advancement, and patient outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Prepares patients for examinations and diagnostic procedures, including recording vital signs and medical history responses.
• Reports observed patient concerns and changes in condition to licensed staff.
• Performs Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) Waived Lab tests and reports results to appropriate personnel.
• Performs additional skills such as suture removal, straight catheterization, and injections (IM, Subq, and intra-dermal).
• Acts as a chaperone for healthcare providers during patient examinations and assists with procedures.
• Monitors and cleans assigned patient examination rooms, unit areas, and equipment; reports supply needs and equipment repairs.
• Answers telephones, forwards messages, and schedules appointments, procedures, and diagnostic tests under licensed staff direction.
• Assists in routine clerical functions, such as filing medical records, compiling charts, obtaining records from other providers, and entering billing charges.
• Attends and completes mandatory education, including infection prevention, safety, CPR, and equipment usage.
• May perform patient phlebotomy after specialized training.
• May apply leads and monitors for diagnostic procedures such as EKG and ultrasound under direct supervision.
• May assist with inpatient and family education by providing health information and materials.
• May assist with patient transportation to ancillary departments or inpatient units.
• May instruct in Basic Life Support (BLS) requirements.
• May perform IV access.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the department.
• Works rotating schedules, including variable hours, weekends, nights, and holidays to meet staffing and patient care demands.

Requirements

• Verifiable completion of one of the following:
  • State-approved EMT course.
  • One year of Medical Assistant experience in an ambulatory care clinic or other healthcare setting.
  • Medical Assisting education program.
  • University Hospital Medical Assistant certification program.
• Current RQI Healthcare Provider eCredential through the University of Utah Health RQI system (to be obtained within 30 days of hire).
• Additional licenses as determined by the hiring department.
• Demonstrated availability to work variable and rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays in a 24/7 patient care environment.
• Ability to perform essential job functions as outlined.
• Demonstrated human relation and effective communication skills.
• Proficiency in the clinic’s specialty skills within six weeks of hire (specialty skills may not be performed until competency testing is completed).
• Ability to withstand physical demands, including standing for long periods, lifting/moving patients, and handling equipment.

Skills

• Carrying, lifting, pushing, or pulling up to 50 pounds.
• Exposure to infectious diseases, contaminated bodily fluids, blood, used needles, and other contaminants.
• Functioning in environments with prisoners or behavioral health patients.
• Physical requirements include: climbing, color determination, crawling, far/near vision, manual dexterity, reaching, sitting, speaking, standing, stooping, crouching, tasting/smelling, and walking.