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Certified Medical Assistant or Clinic Care Aide - Primary Care Office

Southern Illinois Healthcare · Carbondale, IL · $19.40–$29.10 an hour · Full time

Posted Sep 25, 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 noticed something about a patient that the provider needed to know right away.

What they are checking: Whether they use critical thinking to spot red flags rather than just completing tasks on a checklist.

You may help onboard new staff. Tell me about a time you trained someone on a clinical task.

What they are checking: Whether they can teach patiently and pass on good habits, since the role includes training new team members.

What do you do at the end of a day to make sure tomorrow starts smoothly?

What they are checking: Whether they take ownership of stocking, follow-ups and charting so problems do not roll into the next day.

Which medical assisting certification do you hold, and how do you keep it current?

What they are checking: Whether they meet the required certification and take continuing education seriously.

What would you do

A patient gets upset at the front of the exam room because they've been waiting an hour. What do you say?

What they are checking: Whether they can calm a frustrated patient honestly and keep the relationship intact in a small community clinic.

How do you explain a new treatment plan or referral to a patient who seems confused but says they understand?

What they are checking: Whether they check for real understanding using teach-back instead of accepting a nod.

What would you do if you realized you'd given a patient the wrong vaccine or wrong dose?

What they are checking: Whether they would report a mistake immediately and follow the right steps rather than hide it.

How do you handle a phone call from a patient's family member asking about test results?

What they are checking: Whether they understand HIPAA and verify authorization before sharing any health information.

About the work

The posting says you need to be able to take a manual blood pressure. Walk me through how you do it and what can throw off a reading.

What they are checking: Whether they can get an accurate manual reading and know common errors like wrong cuff size or talking patients.

How do you room a patient in a busy primary care office so the provider walks in with what they need?

What they are checking: Whether they gather vitals, history and reason for visit in a way that saves the provider time.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Southern Illinois Healthcare.

Current SIH employees need to apply for positions through our internal job portal. Log in to Workday to apply through the Jobs Hub. Position Summary • Responsible for working collaboratively with physicians and other caregivers to deliver appropriate treatment and medical interventions in an ambulatory office setting. Education • High School diploma or equivalent Licenses and Certification • Current BLS certification; BLS from American Heart Association (AHA) preferred • Certification for Medical Assisting required – (NCCT, AAMA, NHA or NAHP preferred). Experience and Skills • Technical Experience: 1 year of clinical office experience preferred. Ability to perform manual blood pressure required. • Customer Service: 1 year of customer service experience preferred Role Specific Responsibilities • Demonstrates critical thinking skills to understand and address patient care needs based on all available facts and information. • Demonstrate quality communication skills between the care team, outside agencies, patients, and their families through written, verbal, observation, and empathy skills. • Assist in onboarding and continued education of new nursing staff and the nursing team within department. • Assist in care navigation for patients and their families through education on treatment plan, options, and resources to meet care needs. • Demonstrates completed competency for accurate and appropriate documentation in the EMR and patient care following scope of clinical role outlined in policy. • Rooms the patient and documents required and updated clinical information in the electronic medical record following policy and procedures for process. •Follows office procedures to monitor expiration dates and storage conditions of medications and supplies. Compensation (Commensurate with experience): $19.4 To $29.1 To access our Benefits Guide/Plan Information, please click the link below: http://www.sih.net/careers/benefits

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