Medical Assistant

University of Chicago•Hyde Park, IL

About The Position

The Medical Assistant provides administrative and clinical support to medical providers and patients at the Student Wellness Center, helping ensure efficient clinic operations. Under close supervision, the role provides basic technical patient care, including obtaining vital signs and administering or ordering diagnostic tests such as X-rays, electrocardiograms, and laboratory tests. The Medical Assistant performs a variety of nursing care services for adolescent and adult patients under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, or Physician. The position includes in-person and telephone contact with patients, family members, physicians, and other healthcare workers, requiring courtesy, sensitivity, and confidentiality. The Medical Assistant reports to Nursing leadership in student health. Student Wellness provides primary and acute care and routine medical services to students, with specialties including general internal medicine, family practice, gynecology, sports medicine, travel medicine, and minor urgent care.

Requirements

Vocational training, an apprenticeship, or equivalent experience in a related field.
Knowledge and skills developed through less than two years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Ability to sit or stand for four hours or more.
Ability to use computers extensively for four hours or more.
Ability to assist patients with transfers while following current lifting procedures.
Completion of required annual TB control training and/or other health screenings.

Nice To Haves

High school diploma or GED.
Completion of medical assistant training.
Experience in an ambulatory care setting.
Certified Medical Assistant certification from the American Association of Medical Assistants.
Current Healthcare Provider CPR certification.
Teamwork.
Interactive communication.
Effective and appropriate application of medical knowledge.
Professionalism.

Responsibilities

Prepare patients for appointments by greeting and escorting them to exam rooms and documenting vital signs, visit reasons, current medications, allergies, smoking status, and pharmacy preference in the electronic medical record.
Assist patients with transfers from carts or wheelchairs to exam tables and with movement on or off stretchers, wheelchairs, and exam tables.
Perform phlebotomy and point-of-care testing, including rapid strep, urine dipstick, glucose, and urine pregnancy tests, and complete required EHR documentation.
Perform procedures including EKGs, aerosol nebulizer treatments, visual acuity tests, ear and eye irrigations, peak flow testing, and particulate respirator fit testing.
Provide basic wound care, including cleaning and dressing wounds, bites, and burns; apply elastic bandages, arm slings, knee immobilizers, and finger splints; and fit patients for crutches and teach crutch-walking.
Assist providers with procedures such as wound care and PAP smears.
Maintain the appearance and cleanliness of exam rooms and the nursing work station, including handling linen, preparing and transporting instruments for sterilization, monitoring supplies, stocking exam rooms, and storing delivered items.
Schedule patient appointments and assist with patient check-in using the color-coded EHR process.
Review or prepare documentation associated with patient visits and prepare patient charts.
Schedule tests, procedures, and referrals, and expedite medical results, notes, or letters.
Work within defined processes and patient-care protocols that address patients’ physical, psychological, and developmental needs.
Perform other related work as needed.