Medical Assistant

Penn State University•University Park, IL

8d•$40,608 - $58,836

About The Position

University Health Services (UHS) is seeking a dedicated Medical Assistant to help deliver high-quality clinical services to the campus community. The position provides intake services, assists clinicians with treatments, completes ordered procedures, and accurately enters information into the electronic health record (EHR). It supports patient care through clinical tasks, medical-record maintenance, and the upkeep of a safe, organized environment. The Medical Assistant provides clinical, administrative, and educational support, combining direct patient care, health education, emergency response, and operational coordination to promote the health, safety, and wellbeing of the university community. The role functions under the supervision of licensed medical providers and contributes to individual patient care and health initiatives. This position is an 83.3% full-time-equivalency (FTE) role with months off. The timing of those months is determined by unit needs and the position’s essential duties. The position is eligible for benefits associated with a full-time position; the posted salary range reflects a 100% full-time position, and an offer may vary based on the assigned percentage of effort.

Requirements

GED or high school diploma and at least 2 years of relevant experience; relevant education may be accepted in lieu of experience.
Required certification: Medical Assistant certification from the American Association of Medical Assistants.
Must complete the PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check, in addition to applicable background checks.
Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States; Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of staff employment visas.

Responsibilities

Conduct patient intake, including medical histories, allergies, vital signs, and immediate concerns; document health information in the electronic record and report findings or concerns to medical staff.
Assist clinicians and nurse practitioners during examinations, treatments, and minor procedures.
Perform clinical tasks within the designated scope of care, including phlebotomy, wound care, ECGs, specimen collection, injections, delegated medication administration, suture or staple removal, and basic laboratory testing.
Prepare and maintain examination rooms; sterilize and inventory medical supplies; dispose of biohazardous waste properly; and monitor medications and materials for expiration.
Educate patients about diagnoses, medications, treatment plans, and preventive health practices.
Assist with health programs such as CPR, AED, Stop the Bleed, First Aid, and wellness workshops.
Distribute educational materials concerning disease prevention, substance-use safety, sexual health, and mental wellbeing.
Support peer education initiatives and collaborate with student organizations and departments to promote public health awareness.
Maintain accurate, confidential patient records in compliance with institutional and HIPAA standards.
Liaise with university health partners and off-campus providers to support referrals and continuity of care.
Assist with immunization reporting, flu vaccine clinics, and special health campaigns.
Maintain emergency-response equipment and ensure event medical kits and AEDs are ready.
Participate in staff meetings, quality-improvement initiatives, and continuing education to maintain clinical competence.
Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, safety, and service quality.
May handle patient scheduling, front-desk operations, phone calls, billing coordination, and data entry.
May work with student employees or work-study staff and train them in clinic protocols and customer-service procedures.
May provide immediate assessment, stabilization, and coordination of care during medical emergencies and athletic or special events.
May collaborate with athletic trainers, campus police, and local EMS to support prompt and effective emergency response.