CERTIFIED MEDICAL ASSISTANT JOB DESCRIPTION

A Certified Medical Assistant prepares patients, supports providers, and keeps the exam room ready. In ambulatory and outpatient physician practices, this role covers the span from vital signs and phlebotomy to medication administration and EMR documentation, all within the scope defined by AAMA or equivalent national certification. The work is visible to patients at every visit and measured by how smoothly a provider's schedule runs. Accurate CLIA-compliant specimen handling and timely in-basket prescription coordination sit at the center of daily performance.

As the Certified Medical Assistant, you deliver direct patient care and clinical support across the full patient visit cycle, from intake through post-visit follow-up, within an outpatient physician practice or multi-specialty clinic. You report to a supervising physician, nurse, or clinic operations manager and collaborate daily with front office staff, registered nurses, and referring providers to maintain appointment flow and documentation integrity.

Career Impact: Holding an active CMA credential from AAMA, NHA, or an equivalent certifying body signals verified clinical competency that outpatient employers screen for first, giving you a durable competitive position in the ambulatory healthcare labor market.

Business Impact: Patients form their first clinical impression through this role, and providers depend on accurate vital signs, reconciled medication lists, and prepped exam rooms to make safe, timely care decisions during every appointment.

Growth Opportunity: Consistent experience across phlebotomy, medication administration, and EMR documentation builds the procedural depth that supports advancement toward roles such as Lead Medical Assistant, Clinical Supervisor, or Licensed Practical Nurse with further education.

• Room patients by obtaining vital signs including blood pressure, pulse, respiration, temperature, height, and weight per clinic protocol.
• Perform phlebotomy, point-of-care specimen collection, and EKG procedures to support provider-ordered diagnostic workups.
• Prepare and administer medications and immunizations as ordered by the physician after demonstrating documented competency.
• Document patient encounters, medical histories, allergy lists, and care interventions accurately in the electronic medical record.
• Coordinate prescription refill requests and test result reporting through the in-basket system per provider instructions.
• Assist providers during examinations, minor procedures, and in-office surgeries including instrument preparation and patient positioning.
• Process referral requests and schedule outpatient diagnostic tests, completing required authorization and coding forms.
• Maintain exam room cleanliness, supply inventory, and equipment readiness including autoclave sterilization between patient visits.

• High school diploma or GED, or equivalent work experience.
• One or more years of clinical experience in an outpatient, primary care, or urgent care setting, with direct patient interaction.
• Current certification from AAMA, NHA, NCCT, AMT, or an equivalent nationally recognized Medical Assistant certifying organization.
• BLS certification through the American Heart Association or equivalent, maintained as a condition of employment.
• Graduation from a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited Medical Assistant program or similarly recognized training program.
• Demonstrated ability to perform venipuncture, point-of-care testing, and basic clinical procedures within MA scope of practice.
• Working knowledge of HIPAA-compliant patient confidentiality standards and CLIA-regulated specimen handling requirements.
• Ability to manage competing priorities across rooming, documentation, and administrative tasks within high-volume appointment schedules.

• Experience with electronic medical record systems in an outpatient setting, with ability to navigate scheduling and documentation workflows.
• Familiarity with CPT and ICD-10 coding conventions as applied to referral forms and pre-authorization requests.
• Phlebotomy certification or documented experience drawing blood from pediatric and adult patient populations.
• Prior exposure to behavioral health, substance use disorder, or complex chronic disease patient populations in an ambulatory environment.

• Patient rooming completion rate, measured against scheduled appointment start times across a provider's daily panel.
• Vital sign documentation accuracy rate, reflecting completeness and correct entry in the electronic medical record per visit.
• Specimen rejection rate from the processing lab, indicating adherence to collection and chain-of-custody protocols.
• Prescription refill and in-basket task turnaround time, measured against provider-defined same-day or next-business-day targets.
• Exam room readiness rate, measured by supply stock compliance and sterilization completion before each scheduled appointment.
• Typical tools: Electronic medical record platforms (commonly NextGen or similar ambulatory EMR); point-of-care testing equipment for glucose and rapid lab panels.

• Base Salary Range: $36,000 to $48,000 per year depending on certification and experience.
• Bonus: Merit-based or attendance bonuses offered by some practices, typically $500 to $1,500 annually.
• Equity: Not typical for this role in outpatient settings.
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage standard across most employer-sponsored plans.
• PTO: 10 to 15 days per year plus paid holidays, varying by employer size.
• Common Perks: Continuing education reimbursement toward CMA recertification, uniform allowance, and employee wellness programs.

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Drug screening and a background check, including verification of certification credentials, are required as a condition of employment in this role. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, and local law. Reasonable accommodations are available to individuals with disabilities throughout the hiring process and in the performance of job duties. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

The Certified Medical Assistant owns direct patient care delivery across clinical and administrative functions, including vital sign recording, phlebotomy, EKG performance, and EMR documentation under physician supervision. Working within a physician-led practice alongside licensed nursing staff, the role ensures accurate patient intake, safe medication coordination, and compliant handling of bio-hazardous materials to support continuous ambulatory care operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Meet and greet patients, obtain patient information and medical history, and document findings accurately in the Electronic Medical Record.
• Record vital signs and perform EKG, spirometry, and other office procedures.
• Perform lab duties including phlebotomy, order entry, specimen collection, and chain of custody establishment.
• Distribute educational information and instructions for patient care under licensed personnel supervision.
• Coordinate telephone and in-basket requests to refill prescription medications and report test results per provider instructions.
• Prepare and maintain examination and treatment rooms, including inventory of supplies and equipment.
• Practice standard precautions including handwashing and disposal of bio-hazardous materials.
• Assist with administrative duties including procedure scheduling and completion of medical history forms.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Graduation from a CAAHEP, ABHES, or similarly accredited Medical Assistant program required.
• Certification from the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) or a similarly recognized certifying organization required.
• BLS certification required, ACLS through the American Heart Association required as needed by the practice.
• Previous experience in a medical office environment such as an internship preferred.

Embedded within a physician-led clinical team, the Certified Medical Assistant performs a full range of clinical, technical, administrative, and clerical duties within the scope of training and certification, including medication administration, specimen collection, and patient education. Working closely with physicians, registered nurses, and billing staff, the role advances accurate patient documentation and seamless care coordination to support positive patient outcomes across office-based practice settings.

Core Functions

• Perform clinical, technical, administrative, and clerical duties as directed by the physician and within the scope of training and certification.
• Receive critical lab values, report to physician, and document notification in the medical record.
• Prepare patients for examination and obtain and record chief complaints, current medications, vital signs, pain screening, and allergies.
• Prepare and maintain exam and treatment rooms, including cleaning and sterilizing instruments as needed.
• Assist physicians with examinations, tests, procedures, and in-office surgery including splint and cast application and suture removal.
• Prepare and administer medications and immunizations as ordered by the physician including injections after demonstrating competency.
• Receive and return clinically related telephone calls after communicating with the physician or registered nurse.
• Teach patients and provide printed information on diagnosis, self-care, health promotion, and disease prevention.
• Complete medical insurance and other related forms and perform patient registration, scheduling, billing, and pre-authorization tasks.

Qualifications and Experience

• High school diploma or GED required, completion of an accredited Medical Assistant program preferred.
• Certification from CMA (AAMA), RMA (AMT), CCMA (NHA), NCMA (NCCT), RMA (ARMA), NRCMA (NAHP), or RMA (AAMP) required.
• BLS certification required.
• No previous experience required, one year of experience preferred.
• Basic computer skills and data entry proficiency required.
• Knowledge of office equipment including fax and copier required.
• Mathematical skills and patient equipment operation including suction, vitals, and defibrillator required.
• Electronic medical record experience and selected point-of-care lab equipment experience preferred.

Reporting to the Clinic Operations Manager, the Certified Medical Assistant manages patient rooming, vital sign measurement, and pre- and post-visit workflows while supporting front office operations including scheduling, check-in, and time-of-service collections. Partnering with nursing teams, pharmacies, and whole-person support staff, the role enables seamless integration of medical services for patients with substance use and complex behavioral health needs.

Primary Duties

• Manage rooming and patient flow including pre-visit preparation, vital sign measurement, and post-visit duties such as reporting test results.
• Conduct initial screening questions in support of medical visits.
• Obtain authorizations and pre-certifications as appropriate.
• Field medication questions from members and pharmacies for appropriate escalation to nursing and medical teams.
• Support providers with appointment scheduling and other member-facing activities.
• Assist with front office tasks including telephone reception, scheduling, check-in, and time-of-service collections.
• Work closely with clinic operations and team members to ensure seamless integration of medical and whole-person support services.

Skills and Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited Medical Assistant program (CMA or RMA) required.
• Phlebotomy experience preferred.
• Computer literacy and previous electronic medical record (EMR) experience required.
• Experience working with substance use disorder or opioid use disorder patients preferred.
• Experience working with patients with multiple medical and behavioral health diagnoses preferred.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills with exceptional active listening abilities required.
• Ability to travel to clinic site on a daily basis required.

Sitting at the intersection of clinical care delivery and secure facility operations, the Certified Medical Assistant implements technical aspects of patient care in accordance with established policies, assists licensed practitioners, and responds to patient crisis situations per site protocol. Operating across clinical and administrative functions under direct RN and provider supervision, the role supports patient safety, infection control compliance, and continuity of care in a high-accountability setting requiring security clearance.

Duties

• Implement clinical and technical aspects of care in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Participate in gathering information on patient history and verify medications.
• Make appropriate referrals for follow-up care.
• Respond to code or patient crisis as set forth by site policy and procedure.
• Assist healthcare practitioners as assigned and adhere to infection control techniques and principles.
• Provide for emotional and physical comfort and safety of patients.
• Assist in maintaining working areas, supplies, and equipment in good working order.
• Attend mandatory staff meetings and training sessions.

Requirements

• Previous clinical experience preferred.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain security clearance.
• Ability to apply principles of critical thinking to practical and emergent situations and follow standardized procedures required.
• Ability to apply sound judgment beyond specific instructions and across different factual situations required.
• Ability to work under stress on a regular or continuous basis required.

A key member of the outpatient clinical team, the Certified Medical Assistant performs the full scope of medical assistant practice including EKGs, venipuncture, wound care, medication administration, and equipment sterilization under physician direction. Collaborating across the care team within a structured physician-led setting, the role ensures accurate and timely EMR documentation, patient confidentiality, and coordinated patient care aligned with organizational standards and policies.

Accountabilities

• Perform all duties within the scope of a Medical Assistant's practice including EKGs, venipuncture, specimen collection, and wound care.
• Operate diagnostic equipment, administer non-intravenous medication, and perform simple specimen collection via noninvasive techniques.
• Perform quality control checks on equipment and prepare and sterilize medical equipment using the autoclave.
• Room patients according to policy and prepare patients for examination.
• Record patient care documentation in the medical record accurately and in a timely manner.
• Coordinate patient care as directed by physicians, company standards, and policies.
• Respect patient confidentiality at all times and treat patients with courtesy and respect.

Experience and Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Completion of an accredited Medical Assistant training program required.
• Certification as a Medical Assistant by an approved national examination agency required.
• CPR certification required.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with patients, families, physicians, and other healthcare team members required.

Consistent patient safety and timely physician access depend on the Certified Medical Assistant, who prepares patients for physical examination, obtains accurate vital signs, reviews charts for completeness, and supports providers during treatment and testing. Based within a medical office environment and reporting to supervising clinical staff, the role enables efficient appointment flow and ensures patients receive clear instruction before procedures and sample collection.

Role Responsibilities

• Assist with rooming patients and obtain accurate vital signs including temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, height, and weight.
• Prepare patients for physical examination and screen for appropriate information.
• Instruct patients in collection of samples and tests and explain procedures and treatments prior to implementation.
• Review patient charts to ensure all test results and correspondence are present before the physician visit.
• Assist with preparation of equipment and aid the physician during treatment, examination, and testing.

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Graduation from a recognized Medical Assistant program required.
• CMA or RMA certification from a recognized Medical Assistant program required.
• BLS certification required as a condition of employment.
• One year of medical office experience preferred.

As the Certified Medical Assistant, this role delivers clinical support across patient preparation, specimen collection, exam room readiness, and provider-assisted procedures within a primary care setting. The clinical team relies on this work to maintain accurate patient health histories, ensure properly equipped examination rooms, and support providers through efficient referral processing and inventory management that sustains day-to-day care operations.

Job Functions

• Assist with referral processing and arrange laboratory services.
• Prepare patients for examination, take vitals, and record patients' health history.
• Perform routine specimen collection and tests.
• Prepare equipment and examination rooms and clean instruments.
• Assist providers with medical treatments, procedures, and exams.
• Manage inventory of medical supplies and equip exam rooms with appropriate supplies.

Position Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required, completion of an accredited medical assistance certification program required.
• Knowledge of patient care and examination procedures required.
• Firm grasp on medical practices, administrative processes, and organizational policies required.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with patients, medical professionals, and other external parties required.
• Commitment to maintaining patient confidentiality at all times required.

Certified Medical Assistant delivers comprehensive clinical support across pre-visit planning, medication administration, specimen processing, diagnostic ordering, and patient flow coordination within a team-based physician office environment. The work directly supports provider efficiency and patient safety by ensuring accurate registry maintenance, timely EMR documentation, and readiness to act as a clinical preceptor within an accredited practice setting.

What You'll Do

• Participate in morning team huddles and pre-visit planning activities.
• Prepare exam rooms and patients for examination, treatment, and procedures and assist the provider.
• Prepare and administer medications and immunizations under physician supervision.
• Collect and process specimens for laboratory testing and complete appropriate documentation.
• Order diagnostic studies per physician request and follow up with patients on results via proper protocol.
• Keep inventory and process sample medications, prescriptions, and refills as directed by the physician.
• Coordinate patient flow and act as a clinical preceptor.
• Recognize and respond appropriately to emergencies.
• Maintain patient registries and document all patient care accurately in electronic or paper medical records.

Minimum Qualifications

• Medical Assistant certification from an accredited school and formal training program required.
• Certification by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) required within 3 months of hire date.
• CPR certification required.
• One to two years of physician office experience preferred.
• Knowledge of medical terminology required.
• Computer experience required, EMR experience preferred, NextGen preferred.

The Certified Medical Assistant owns patient intake and clinical support operations across a full-service integrated care clinic, performing phlebotomy, ECGs, vision and hearing screening, and specimen preparation while coordinating follow-up care with specialty providers. Working closely with physicians, care receptionists, and the clinical operations team, the role ensures an exceptional patient and family experience from arrival through discharge by managing real-time feedback, administrative requests, and referral submissions.

Key Deliverables

• Welcome patients and family members and communicate their arrival to other team members.
• Prepare examination rooms for member visits, keeping them neat, clean, and well-stocked.
• Interview patients at the start of appointments, gather initial information, and obtain and record vital signs.
• Perform phlebotomy, finger stick blood glucose, electrocardiograms, vision and hearing screening tests, and prepare specimens for laboratory testing.
• Assist physicians during patient exams and in-office procedures.
• Coordinate follow-up care including diagnostic tests, specialty care, and other treatment.
• Track, log, and support re-ordering of medical supplies and vaccines.
• Receive incoming phone calls, complete requests for appointments, assist with administrative forms, and direct medication refill requests to physicians.

Technical Qualifications

• Certified Medical Assistant certification required.
• Phlebotomy certification required.
• Minimum two years of independent experience working in a clinical setting required.
• Knowledge of examination, diagnostic, and treatment room procedures required.
• Knowledge of common safety hazards and precautions required.
• Broad familiarity with electronic health record systems required.
• Excellent communication skills including effective interaction with care team members, patients, and families required.

Embedded within a mobile physician care model, the Certified Medical Assistant produces direct patient support across home visit settings by driving physicians to visits, performing blood draws and vital signs, charting patient encounters, and ensuring the medical kit is fully stocked each day. Working closely with a physician partner and a remote dispatch and technology team, the role advances a high-quality house call experience for 12 to 15 patients daily across local markets.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• Ensure the medical kit is fully stocked with all supplies needed for the day prior to visits.
• Drive physicians to and from patient visits throughout the day using a personal vehicle.
• Take vitals, draw blood, chart, and facilitate a top-notch patient experience during visits.
• Communicate across the team using iPad and phone-based messaging services.
• Facilitate external appointments with specialty providers including submission of referral requests.

Background and Experience

• National or state MA certificate with phlebotomy skills required.
• Valid state driver's license and clean driving record required.
• Minimum two years of direct clinical experience in a Medical Assistant role required.
• Front office medical experience preferred.
• Experience drawing blood from both children and adults required.

Reporting to the Clinic Administrator, the Certified Medical Assistant refines patient care delivery across clinical and administrative functions including blood draws, vaccine administration, referral scheduling with CPT and ICD-10 coding, and CLIA and OSHA compliance. Partnering with providers, specialists, and outpatient services teams, the role strengthens care continuity by maintaining standardized EMR documentation workflows and providing timely patient and family education.

Operational Focus

• Assist providers and clinical staff with obtaining basic vital information and preparing patients for examination, treatment, and minor surgical procedures.
• Draw and collect blood and other samples from patients and prepare specimens for laboratory analysis.
• Administer ordered medications and vaccines.
• Track follow-up appointments related to office visits, laboratory tests, and procedures to monitor disease status.
• Schedule referrals for patients with specialists or outpatient services and complete appropriate forms including CPT and ICD-10 coding.
• Provide appropriate and timely documentation in the patient's electronic health record using standardized workflows.
• Answer questions and provide teaching to patients and family members.
• Maintain compliance with CLIA, OSHA, safety, and risk management guidelines.

Professional Experience

• Graduate of an accredited Medical Assistant program required.
• High school diploma required if work is performed in a moderately complex CLIA lab.
• Current CMA certification from AAMA, NCCT, RMA, or NHA required.
• BLS and Mandatory Reporter certification required.
• Valid driver's license required when driving for work-related reasons.
• Previous clinical experience in a medical office preferred.
• Computer data entry experience required.
• Microsoft Office basic computer skills required.

A key member of the remote clinical services team, the Certified Medical Assistant develops comprehensive patient medication lists through structured interviews, coordinates appointments between pharmacists and patients, and manages inbound and outbound call resolution according to established protocols. Collaborating across the clinical services team from a remote setting, the role supports improved medication management outcomes by identifying process improvements and ensuring consistent follow-up with patients across a high-volume call environment.

Areas of Ownership

• Manage inbound and outbound patient calls and inquiries.
• Conduct patient interviews and create accurate, comprehensive medication lists.
• Coordinate and schedule clinical services appointments between pharmacists and patients.
• Ensure call resolution by discussing the purpose of the call, addressing all concerns, and escalating calls according to protocol.
• Manage challenging patient situations and respond promptly to patient needs and service requests.
• Conduct follow-up evaluations with patients and participate in other activities as assigned.
• Proactively identify areas of improvement and communicate ideas to the clinical services team.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Current pharmacy technician (CPhT) or medical assistant (CMA) registration required.
• Minimum two years of experience as a pharmacy technician or medical assistant required.
• Ability to understand and interpret medical information from oral and written resources required.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills required.
• Reliable internet connection required for remote work.

Consistent clinical readiness in a neurology outpatient setting depends on the Certified Medical Assistant, who obtains vital signs, prepares treatment and waiting rooms for in-person and telehealth visits, schedules diagnostic tests, and assists physicians with examinations, injections, and dressing changes. Based within the UHealth Campus Department of Neurology and reporting to an attending physician, the role enables accurate patient record inclusion and sterile procedural support across a diverse and complex patient population.

Scope of Work

• Obtain vital signs and patient information for inclusion in the patient's medical record.
• Prepare treatment rooms and waiting rooms for examination via in-person and telehealth visits.
• Schedule patients for tests and complete required forms for lab work.
• Order, stock, and inventory supplies and assist in performing clerical duties.
• Provide patients with basic instruction and information regarding examination procedures.
• Observe principles of sterile technique in performing duties.
• Assist with physical examinations by preparing supplies and handing instruments to the physician.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Certified Medical Assistant certification required.
• BLS certification and HIV certification required.
• Minimum one year of relevant experience required.
• Ability to analyze, organize, and prioritize work under pressure while meeting deadlines required.
• Ability to work evenings, nights, and weekends as necessary required.

As the Certified Medical Assistant exam instructor, this role guides students preparing for the CMA certification exam through online tutoring sessions, custom lesson plan design, and adaptive assessment review across individual and group learning formats. The instructional team relies on this work to connect students with subject-matter expertise in a flexible, self-scheduled online environment that supports diverse learner needs from one-on-one sessions through large group instruction.

Work Activities

• Teach small groups and individual students preparing for the Certified Medical Assistant Exam.
• Design lesson plans and curriculum to address students' particular needs and learning goals.
• Review adaptive assessment results to identify areas of focus for each student.
• Conduct online tutoring sessions and set own hours and schedule.
• Provide support across a range of group sizes from one-on-one sessions to large group instruction.

Experience and Qualifications

• Subject-matter expertise in the Certified Medical Assistant Exam required.
• Excellent presentation skills and ability to work effectively with groups required.
• Ability to work with multiple applications to provide a seamless patient experience required.
• Ability to process and handle confidential information with discretion required.
• Friendly, approachable personality with ability to foster student engagement required.

Certified Medical Assistant executes patient preparation, injectable medication administration, care coordination, and EMR documentation under direct licensed medical professional supervision within an outpatient addiction medicine program. The work directly supports continuity of care for patients with complex needs by ensuring accurate medication reconciliation, timely appointment scheduling, and effective liaison communication between internal and external care partners.

Performance Expectations

• Prepare patients for examination by performing vital signs, medication reconciliation, EKGs, and phlebotomy as indicated.
• Assist patients in completing medical history forms as needed.
• Schedule appointments and prepare charts, pre-admission, and consent forms.
• Coordinate care by requesting records, communicating progress, and acting as liaison between internal and external parties.
• Assist medical staff in monitoring patient medical status and performing routine medical procedures as directed.
• Administer injectable medications as delegated by the licensed medical professional and monitor progress and side effects.
• Maintain up-to-date documentation of observations and evaluations in the patient electronic medical record.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• CMA certification and completion of coursework required for this position.
• Minimum two years of experience in an ambulatory care, primary care, or urgent care environment required.
• Ability to perform blood draws required.
• Ability to travel to various sites as needed required.