The Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) supports patient care and daily clinical operations under the direction and supervision of the Supervising Provider. This role combines specimen collection, patient intake, clinical assistance, and provider support with the administrative responsibilities necessary to maintain efficient patient flow. As one of the first team members patients encounter, the Medical Assistant plays a vital role in delivering an exceptional patient experience while ensuring safe, efficient, and compassionate care.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Specimen Collection
- Perform venipuncture and capillary blood collection on adult and adolescent patients, including difficult venous access.
- Correctly label, process, handle, transport, and store specimens in accordance with laboratory requirements and clinic protocols.
- Perform validated point-of-care testing (POCT) within the scope of competency and accurately document all results in the electronic medical record (EMR).
- Ensure proper infection control and specimen integrity throughout the collection process.
Clinical Intake and Provider Support
- Escort and room patients while maintaining patient privacy and comfort.
- Obtain and accurately document vital signs, height, weight, BMI, and other pertinent clinical measurements.
- Collect and document patient history, including current medications, allergies, chief complaint, and symptom history through patient interview and observation.
- Prepare examination and treatment rooms before each patient encounter.
- Assist the Supervising Provider during examinations, procedures, and treatments.
- Administer approved medications, including intramuscular (IM) and subcutaneous (SQ) injections, after documented competency validation.
- Enter medication orders, laboratory orders, diagnostic imaging requests, and referrals into the electronic medical record under the direction of the Supervising Provider.
- Maintain examination rooms, equipment, and supplies in a clean, organized, and regulatory-compliant condition.
- Monitor medication, vaccine, injectable, and medical supply inventory, including expiration dates and stock levels.
Administrative Support
- Support efficient patient flow to minimize wait times and maximize clinic efficiency.
- Provide patients with scheduling instructions and information regarding specialty referrals, imaging, laboratory testing, and consultations.
- Assist front office personnel with reception, patient check-in, scheduling, check-out, and discharge activities as needed.
- Complete accurate and timely documentation of patient encounters, procedures, treatments, and patient education on the same day of service.
- Maintain compliance with clinic policies, HIPAA regulations, OSHA standards, and infection prevention protocols.
Minimum Qualifications
Education
High School Diploma or equivalent required.
Certification or Equivalent
One of the following qualifications is required:
- National Medical Assistant Certification (CCMA, CMA, RMA, or NCMA); or
- Associate degree or higher in a health-related field; or
- A minimum of one (1) year of verifiable experience providing direct patient care in a healthcare setting.
Basic Life Support (BLS)
Current BLS/CPR Healthcare Provider Certification is required on or before the first day of employment.
Language
Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
Electronic Medical Record Experience
Previous experience using an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system is preferred. Experience with Tebra is highly desirable.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to stand and walk for prolonged periods throughout the workday.
- Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds occasionally.
- Manual dexterity and fine motor skills sufficient to perform venipuncture and other clinical procedures.
- Ability to work in an environment with exposure to bloodborne pathogens while consistently utilizing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Ability to perform repetitive motions associated with patient care and computer documentation.
Competency Validation
Before independently performing any delegated clinical task, the Medical Assistant must successfully demonstrate competency to the Supervising Provider. The Supervising Provider will complete, sign, and date a written competency validation checklist, which will be maintained in the employee's personnel file.
- Clinical competencies will be reassessed annually, whenever new responsibilities are assigned, or whenever performance concerns indicate that additional competency validation is necessary.