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 CMA 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 CMA 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 Certified Medical Assistants, 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 Administrator or Nurse 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 Certified 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.
• Creates and manages the staffing schedule.
• 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:
  • May be responsible for the following: 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 procedures.
  • May perform other duties as assigned.
• Functions as an integral part of the patient care team and promotes patient satisfaction by interacting with patients and staff in a professional, cooperative, and friendly manner.
• Accepts and performs delegated responsibilities in a positive manner.
• Offers assistance to others.
• Attends and participates in staff meetings.
• Communicates appropriately and effectively in person and over the telephone with patients and the care team.
• Demonstrates exceptional customer service skills utilizing appropriate judgment, independent thinking, and creativity when resolving customer issues.
• Demonstrates competency in all essential functions as defined by the organization.
• Exhibits strong interpersonal skills, verbal and written communication skills.
• Manages conflict and problem solves effectively.
• Able to recognize emergency situations and implement emergency procedures in accordance with clinic guidelines.
• Handles challenging situations effectively by locating and contacting other resources.
• Able to prioritize, multitask, and demonstrate flexibility while adapting to changes in work environment.
• Able to receive constructive feedback.
• Exceptional attention to detail and work accuracy.
• Demonstrates an ongoing interest in quality and strives to reach highest standards.
• Reports all unexpected patient incidents to supervisor and assists in the completion of incidence reports as required.
• Maintains competency and skills and attends required training for all system applications.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Functions as patient advocate by actively engaging patient and sharing information with care provider.

Required:

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• CMA or RMA required through American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), American Medical Technologist (AMT) or National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT). Certification required upon hire or within 6 months from hire date if eligible to sit for exam must provide proof of eligibility. New Grads must obtain certification/registration within 1 year from hire date an must provide proof of graduation. Acquisitions must obtain certification/registration within 1 year from hire date.
• Basic Life Support (American Heart Association) certification.
• Strong computer skills.
• 2 years relevant clinical experience.

Preferred:

• Associate's degree.
• 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.