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Certified Medical Assistant Float-Multi Specialty North Region

Northwestern Medicine · Lake Forest, IL · Full time · Health Care Provider

Posted Oct 4, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you were sent to cover a team that was short-staffed and stressed. How did you fit in?

What they are checking: Whether they arrive ready to help on that team's terms rather than adding friction to an already hard day.

Tell me about a time you protected a patient's privacy when it would have been easier not to.

What they are checking: Whether HIPAA is a habit for them in hallways, phones and front desks, not just a training they completed.

Tell me about a mistake you made in patient care or charting and what you did after you noticed it.

What they are checking: Whether they report errors promptly and honestly, which matters more in health care than never making one.

What would you do

This float role moves between Grayslake, Lake Forest, Gurnee, Highland Park and other sites, sometimes with short notice. How would you get up to speed in a clinic you've never worked in before?

What they are checking: Whether they can learn a new clinic's flow quickly without slowing down patients or leaning too hard on the staff there.

You're taking vitals and a patient's blood pressure is much higher than it was at their last visit. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they recheck properly and escalate abnormal values to the provider rather than just recording the number and moving on.

The schedule is backed up by 40 minutes and patients in the lobby are getting upset. How do you keep things moving and keep people informed?

What they are checking: Whether they can protect patient flow and patient satisfaction at the same time, which is the core of the role.

Your start time and location can change from week to week, and you'll be driving between sites. How do you manage that kind of schedule reliably?

What they are checking: Whether they have realistic plans for travel and changing hours, since a float who is late leaves a clinic uncovered.

About the work

Walk me through how you room a patient, from the waiting room to the moment the provider walks in.

What they are checking: Whether their rooming routine is complete and consistent, since a missed step shows up later as a delay or a gap in the chart.

Tell me about your experience with lab draws. What do you do when you can't get a vein on the first try?

What they are checking: Whether they know their limits on repeat sticks and keep the patient calm instead of pushing through to save face.

How do you set up and run a 12-lead EKG, and what would make you stop and get a nurse or provider right away?

What they are checking: Whether they can produce a clean tracing and recognize when a patient's condition needs a licensed person immediately.

Different specialties stock rooms and handle supplies differently. How do you make sure a room is clean, safe and ready between patients?

What they are checking: Whether they follow infection control and room turnover steps reliably, even in an unfamiliar clinic.

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The full job description

As published by Northwestern Medicine.

**This is a Full Time position at 40 hours per week located on the Lake Forest hospital campus. Schedule is Monday through Friday between the hours of 7a-5:30p (8 hour shift). Travel is required for this position to multiple NM sites: Grayslake, Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, Glenview, Gurnee, Vernon Hills, Highland Park, and Deerfield locations. Experience in lab draw, EKG's, rooming, vitals is a plus.** The Medical Assistant – Float reflects the mission, vision, and values of Northwestern Medicine, 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 Medical Assistant – Float is a member of the health care team primarily responsible for providing 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. The Medical Assistant is responsible for ensuring efficient patient flow through the clinic; maintaining neat, clean and safe patient care areas; promoting patient satisfaction by interacting with patients in a professional, friendly manner; safeguarding patient confidentiality. The Medical Assistant -Float will have varying schedules, start and end times, and work locations to support immediate staffing needs throughout NMG. Responsibilities: • Scheduled hours will vary and are dependent on the needs within the organization, must be flexible with scheduled start and end times with minimal notice to fill immediate staffing needs in various locations. • Will support medical clinics throughout Northwestern Medicine and must be flexible to travel locally as needed. • Assures efficient patient flow through the site: Escorts patient to exam room, identifies patient with 2 identifiers and prepares patient for examination. Obtains accurate vital signs, per organization standards. Documents reason for visit and updates/confirms, allergies, smoking history and pharmacy information. Promptly informs the 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 to expedite visits and maintain flow of patients and prioritize tasks accordingly. • Assists practitioner with medical and surgical procedures in accordance with established protocols such as: Electrocardiogram (ECG), venipuncture, immunizations, setting up procedure trays, specimen collection and/or Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) waived testing as directed by Provider. • Provides high quality care by: Prepares and stocks all 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 according to clinic guidelines. Assists in ordering supplies and correctly disposes of all expired items. Adheres to office opening and closing procedures. • Functions as an integral part of the patient care team and promotes patient satisfaction by interacting with patients in a professional, 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 with patients and patient care team (in the office and on the phone) • Performs delegated procedures common to the specialty area in a safe, effective, and efficient manner (see specialty practice addendum) • Performs all other duties as assigned by the Supervisor or Manager Required: • High school diploma or GED. • Current certification in one of the below or must have written proof of meeting candidate eligibility requirements for writing one of the five eligible certification exams (AAMA, AMT, NCCT, NHA, NRCMA) • Accepted documentation: • New MA Graduates within six (6) months from date of graduation from an MA Program must submit: a letter from the school or a letter from the certifying body • Non-Certified MAs or new graduates past six (6) months from date of graduation from an MA program must submit: a letter from the certifying body • Within first six months of employment, will complete one of the following certifications after up to two test attempts: • Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) through American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) • Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) through American Medical Technologists (AMT) or • National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) through the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) • Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) • Nationally Registered Certified Medical Assistant (NRCMA) through the National Association for Health Professionals (NAHP) • Signed acknowledgement during onboarding that certification must be attained within six (6) months, as a condition of employment • American Heart Association accredited Basic Life Support (BLS/CPR) certification. • Zero (0) to two (2) years’ experience in a relevant role. • Strong computer skills. Preferred: • Completion of accredited Medical Assistant training program. • One to two years of ambulatory care experience. • Experience with electronic medical record. Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) 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. Background Check Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act. Artificial Intelligence Disclosure Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person. Benefits We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Click on or copy and paste URL to your browser to view detailed benefits information NorthwesternMedicine Career Page https://jobs.nm.org/benefits Please refer to the Benefits Eligibility by Employment Classification to determine benefits eligibility for job postings. If sign-on bonus is included in a job posting eligibility is as followed: Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign-on bonus. Exception : New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position as a Registered Nurse at NM may be eligible.

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