Lead Medical Assistant - Internal Medicine Full time Days - Northwestern Memorial Healthcare

At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better healthcare, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. At Northwestern Medicine, we pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, we take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?

The Lead Medical Assistant reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization's Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

The Lead Medical Assistant provides support to physicians, nurses, and other licensed medical staff by facilitating efficient patient flow, assisting with various patient care activities, and performing related administrative functions. This role leads the work of Medical Assistants and ensures efficient patient flow through the clinic, maintains neat, clean and safe patient care areas, promotes patient satisfaction by interacting with patients in a professional, friendly manner, and safeguarding patient confidentiality.

Under the direction of the Practice Manager, this position regularly assigns, instructs and checks the work of other medical assistants, provides training and orientation of new employees,and identifies and helps resolve staff and operational issues.

Responsibilities:

• Leads the work of Medical Assistants within the practice.
• Serves as a role model and resource to clinical staff.
• Provides training and orienting to all medical assistants, and maintains training and orientation materials and records.
• Monitors and evaluates policies and procedures to suggest operational changes.
• Participates in conferences and meetings, and represents the work unit on organizational initiatives
• Ensures efficient patient flow through the site:
  • Escorts patient to exam room, identifies patient, prepares patient for examination
  • Obtains vital signs.
  • Documents reason for visit, updates/confirms various relevant patient information (allergies, smoking history, pharmacy information).
  • Informs provider and registered nurse of any significant change in vital signs or acute symptoms.
  • Anticipates/sets up equipment or supplies needed for visit.
  • Cleans and prepares exam room for next patient.
  • Responds to needs, expedites visits, maintains flow of patients and prioritize tasks accordingly.
• Assists practitioner with medical and surgical procedures:
  • Electrocardiogram
  • Venipuncture
  • Immunizations
  • Sets up procedure trays
  • Specimen collection and/or Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments waived testing as directed by provider.
• Provides high quality care:
  • Prepares and stocks exam rooms in treatment area by following established protocols for disinfecting and sterilizing equipment and instruments
  • Participates in environmental safety rounds.
  • Maintains vaccine/medication inventory.
  • Monitors and maintains equipment and instruments.
  • Assists in ordering supplies and disposes expired items.
  • Adheres to office opening and closing procedure
• May perform other duties as assigned

Required:

• Candidate must have written proof of meeting candidate eligibility requirements for writing one of the five eligible certification exams (AAMA, AMT, NCCT, NHA, NRCMA)
• Accepted documentation:
  • New MA Graduates within 6 months from date of graduation from an MA Program must submit: a letter from the school or a letter from the certifying body
  • Non-Certified MAs or new graduates past 6 months from date of graduation from an MA program must submit: a letter from the certifying body
• Within first six months of employment, will complete one of the following certifications after up to two test attempts:
  • Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) through American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)
  • Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) through American Medical Technologists (AMT) or
  • National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) through the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)
  • Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
  • Nationally Registered Certified Medical Assistant (NRCMA) through the National Association for Health Professionals (NAHP)

All Candidates/Incumbents:

• High school diploma or GED.
• American Heart Association accredited Basic Life Support (BLS/CPR) certification.
• Signed acknowledgement during onboarding that certification must be attained within 6months, as a condition of employment
• Strong computer skills.

 Preferred:

• Completion of accredited Medical Assistant training program.
• One to two years of ambulatory care experience.
• Experience with electronic medical record.

Northwestern Medicine is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.