Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)

Summary of Primary Function/General Purpose of Position
The Medical Assistant Certified is a multi-skilled clinical professional that provides indirect and/or direct patient care within the scope of practice and in alignment with the standards of excellence and quality. Under the direction of the provider, the Medical Assistant contributes to the completion of the patient’s chief complaint (including, but not limited, to respirations, blood pressure, pulse oximetry, height, weight, and temperature), documents patient/family needs, participates in planning and implementing care for patients, and administers ordered medications (oral, injection, topically, etc.) within the Medical Assisting scope and state guidelines.

Essential Job Functions

• Understands and adheres to the legal responsibilities and requirements within the Medical Assistant role.

• Identifies significant changes in patient condition through data collection and reports them to the provider. 

• Troubleshoots issues and escalate problems to provider, direct supervisor, or appropriate internal resource.

• Demonstrates standards of excellence in care in all interactions, for both internal and external customers.

• Maintains clinical and administrative skills per the departmental competency guidelines to meet patient care and daily operational needs. 

• Show patients to examination rooms and prepare them for the physician. 

• Travels to other facilities for providers or adjusts hours to meet patient care needs as directed by the practice manager as needed.  

• Maintains a safe and supportive environment by keeping the work area, exam rooms, and equipment in clean, orderly, and safe manner, ensuring availability and proper functioning of supplies and equipment.

• Assists patient and provider with virtual health visits which may include setting up the visit through appropriate platform, pre-charting the virtual visit prior to the scheduled appointment, contacting the patient to ensure preparedness for the virtual visit, troubleshooting virtual visit issues when needed, obtaining chief complaint and health maintenance checks, medication review, and other relevant patient details prior to the actual virtual visit. 

• Documents in electronic medical records (EMR) accurately and appropriately. 

• Manages in basket messages in the electronic health record (EHR) under the Provider’s verbatim instructions. 

• May perform front desk workflows (i.e., My Chart requests, patient registration, scheduling, phone triage, cash handling, and check-in/check-out).

• Follows up on orders, appointments, referrals, and follow up visits and collects co-pays as needed.

• Other duties include, but not limited to, ordering supplies appropriately, tracking referrals, labs and diagnostic tests, disposing of contaminated supplies, etc.

This document is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, or working conditions associated with the job. Employees may be required to perform other job-related duties as required by their supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodation.

Licensing/Certification

Active Medical Assisting certification from one of the following (required):

• Certified Medical Assistant (CMA); American Association of Medical Assisting

• Registered Medical Assistant (RMA); American Medical Technologists

• Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA); National Healthcareer Association (NHA)

• Nationally Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA); National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)

• Nationally Registered Certified Medical Assistant (NRCMA); National Association for Health Professionals (NAHP) (not accepted in the state of South Carolina)

• If incumbent is unable to obtain MA certification, an Assessment-Based Recognition in Order Entry (ABR-OE) is acceptable (not accepted in the state of South Carolina)

BLS Basic Life Support, American Heart Association (required at hire for Roper St Francis Healthcare locations; preferred at hire, required prior to independent patient care at BSMH)

Education

High School/GED (required)

Completion of an accredited Medical Assistant post-secondary education program (preferred in all states except South Carolina)

In South Carolina (completion of one of the below is required)

• An accredited Medical assistant post-secondary education program

• A Career and technical education health sciences program approved by the South Carolina Department of Education

• A medical assisting program provided by a branch of the United States military

• A Medical assisting United States Department of Labor approved Registered Apprenticeship program

• A Training program that is delivered, in whole or in part, by a health care employer that aligns to a nationally accredited certification exam

Work Experience

Completion of externship or clinical lab training (preferred)
1 year of recent Medical Assisting experience (preferred)

Training
None

Language

None

Patient Population

Adults (18-64 years)

Geriatrics (65 years and older)

Working Conditions

Periods of high stress and fluctuating workloads may occur.

General office environment.

May be exposed to high noise levels and bright lights.

May be exposed to physical altercations and verbal abuse.

May be exposed to limited hazardous substances or body fluids.*

May be exposed to human blood and other potentially infectious materials.* 

May be exposed to adverse weather conditions; cold, hot, dust, wind, etc.

May have periods of constant interruptions.

Prolonged periods of working alone.                                     

* Individuals in this position are required to exercise universal precautions, use personal protective equipment and devices, and learn the policies concerning infection control.

Physical Requirements ​

Physical Demands

Frequency                                              0%                  1-33%                 34-66%                 67-100%

Lifting/ Carrying (0-50 lbs.)                                         x                                                                          

Lifting/ Carrying (50-100 lbs.)                                   x                                                                           

Push/ Pull (0-50 lbs.)                                                   x                                                                           

Push/ Pull (50-100 lbs.)                                              x                                                                            

Stoop, Kneel                                                                x                                                                           

Crawling                                                                      x                                                                            

Climbing                                                                      x                                                                             

Balance                                                                      x                                                                               

Bending                                                                      x                                                                              

Work Position

Frequency                                               0%                  1-33%                 34-66%                 67-100%

Sitting                                                                                  x                                                                      

Walking                                                                               x                                                                      

Standing                                                                              x                                                                      

Additional Physical Requirements/Hazards

Physical Requirements

Manual dexterity (eye/hand coordination)

Hear alarms/telephone/audio recordings

Reach above shoulder

Repetitive arm/hand movements

 Finger Dexterity

Color Vision

Acuity – far

Acuity – near          

Hazards

Depth perception

Use of Latex products

Exposure to toxic/caustic/chemicals/detergents

Exposure to moving mechanical parts

Exposure to dust/fumes

Exposure to potential electrical shock

Exposure to x ray/electromagnetic energy

Exposure to high pitched noises

Skills

• Record patients' medical history, vital statistics, or information such as test results in medical records.

• Interview patients to obtain medical information and measure their vital signs, weight, and height. 

• Prepare and administer medications as directed by a physician. 

• Collect blood, tissue, or other laboratory specimens, log the specimens, and prepare them for testing.

• Provide authorized prescription and drug refill information for pharmacies as directed by provider. 

• Explain treatment procedures, medications, diets, or physicians' instructions to patients. 

• Clean and sterilize instruments and dispose of contaminated supplies. 

• Perform routine laboratory tests and sample analyses.  

• Perform general office duties, such as answering telephones, taking dictation, or completing insurance forms. 

• • Successfully completes skills or competency checklists to be able to help physicians examine and treat patients, performing such tasks as handing them instruments, giving injections, removing sutures, changing dressings on wounds. 

• • Strong oral and written communication skills

• • Ability to collaboratively work with patients, families, and teams within a high-volume environment. 

• • Medical terminology

• • Attention to detail

• • Ability to multitask

• • Ability to use standard office equipment (i.e. computer, copier, phone, fax machine)

As a Mercy Health associate, you're part of a Mission that matters. We support your well-being—personally and professionally. Our benefits are built to grow with you and meet your unique needs, every step of the way.

What we offer

• Competitive pay, incentives, referral bonuses and 403(b) with employer contributions (when eligible)
• Medical, dental, vision, prescription coverage, HSA/FSA options, life insurance, mental health resources and discounts
• Paid time off, parental and FMLA leave, short- and long-term disability, backup care for children and elders
• Tuition assistance, professional development and continuing education support

Benefits may vary based on the market and employment status.

All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, or protected veteran status, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. If you'd like to view a copy of the affirmative action plan or policy statement for Mercy Health – Youngstown, Ohio or Bon Secours – Franklin, Virginia; Petersburg, Virginia; and Emporia, Virginia, which are Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employers, please email recruitment@mercy.com. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation as part of the employment selection process, please contact The Talent Acquisition Team at recruitment@mercy.com