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Certified Medical Assistant Primary Care Full-time Days

Northwestern Medicine · Orland Park, IL · Full time · Health Care Provider

Posted Sep 21, 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

The day starts around eight and can run to half past six, with the length varying. How does that fit your life?

What they are checking: The posting states the hours and the variability plainly.

Tell me about fixing something that had gone wrong for a patient.

What they are checking: The posting names service recovery skills directly.

This is at Orland Park with no weekends. What are you looking for in your next job?

What they are checking: The posting advertises no weekends, and whether that is the draw is worth knowing.

What would you do

Primary care sees everyone from babies to the very old. How does your approach change across that range?

What they are checking: The breadth is the defining feature of primary care support work.

You take a set of vital signs that are clearly abnormal. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they tell the provider immediately rather than finish the room first.

How do you keep patients flowing through the clinic when the day is running long?

What they are checking: Variable shift lengths mean the day ends when the patients are done.

How do you build a relationship with patients you will see for years?

What they are checking: Primary care's advantage, and whether they value it.

A patient calls with a question you cannot answer. What do you do?

What they are checking: The edge of the role, and knowing it protects everyone.

About the work

Tell me about giving a vaccination and how you check you have the right one.

What they are checking: Immunizations are constant in primary care and are a common source of error.

Tell me about your certification and your current life support card.

What they are checking: The posting is specifically a certified medical assistant role.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Northwestern Medicine from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

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The full job description

As published by Northwestern Medicine.

Hours will be starting around 8am and ending around 6:30pm but shift lengths may varry depending on needs of the clinic. No weekends. The Certified Medical Assistant 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 Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) is a multi-skilled worker who assumes a wide range of clinical and administrative roles within the physician office setting. Under the supervision of a Physician and/or the direction of a licensed nurse, the CMA provides direct and indirect patient care, performs laboratory and other testing, and may assist with clerical functions. The CMA serves as a key team player when interacting and communicating with patients and/or clinical staff in the ambulatory care environment. Responsibilities: • Presents a friendly, approachable, professional demeanor and appearance. • Provides accurate information and timely updates to patients and customers. Addresses questions and concerns promptly, or identifies appropriate person and resources to do so. Provides directions or help to patients and customers with finding their way. • Uses effective service recovery skills to solve problems or service breakdowns when they occur. • Demonstrates teamwork by helping co-workers within and across departments. Communicates effectively with others, respects diverse opinions and styles, acknowledges the assistance and contributions of others. • Uses organizational and unit/department resources efficiently. • Manages work schedule efficiently, completing tasks and assignments on time. • Contributes to opportunities and processes for continuous improvement. • Participates in efforts to reduce costs, streamline work processes, improve and grow services we provide. • Rooms patients and provides direct patient care under the supervision of a physician, and/or direction of an RN/LPN. Records medical, surgical and family histories, medications and vital signs. Prepares patients for office procedures and assists nursing and medical staff with routine examinations and patient treatments. Always considers specific patient needs; administers care according to individual age and abilities. • Explains treatment procedures to patients; reinforces patient education regarding medication and special diets or testing that has been provided by the RN/LPN or physician (for example, the After Visit Summary). • Administers injections and medications as directed by physician. • Performs point of care testing, including venipuncture, urine dips, finger sticks, strep screens, flu screens, pregnancy tests, and cultures. Independently performs other tests and/or office procedures such as EKG's, pulmonary testing, and chronic disease management testing. • Is knowledgeable about the purpose, process and results for tests and lab specimens frequently performed in an office setting. • Relays NORMAL test results to patient or reads results, verbatim, from the physician documentation. Consults an RN, LPN, or physician should the patient have questions regarding their results. • Adheres to CDPG Environment of Care policies. Maintains infection control standards for exam/procedure rooms and areas where patient care services are delivered. Cleans, disinfects, changes linen etc. Performs quality checks and trouble-shoots office instruments. Is knowledgeable of sterilization techniques and biological indicators for sterilization. • Participates in shared governance, committee work, and practice/department projects. • Demonstrates the knowledge of proper identification and reporting of medical/health care errors. • Demonstrates a willingness to support co-workers; voluntarily pitches in. Willing to mentor and train new staff. Acts as an integral member of the team. • Communicates appropriately and clearly with all. Maintains a good working relationship within the office and other ancillary departments. Demonstrates a positive attitude. • Handles situations in a mature and professional manner. • Prioritizes and re-prioritizes workflow and maintain an organized workspace. • Engages in teamwork as a team player and a team builder. • Meets current standards and policies for documentation. Provides documentation that is timely, accurate, up to date, complete and legible. • Charges for all ancillary services performed • Participates in ongoing educational activities appropriate to the area of practice. Seeks experiences, formal and independent learning activities to maintain and develop clinical and professional skills and knowledge. Shares knowledge from continuing education programs with co-workers. • Exhibits creativity and flexibility through the dynamics of change. • Appropriately utilizes the functionality of the medical record and practice management systems within their job responsibilities, for example, all documentation, order entry, results, referrals, etc. • Stays informed of medical record and practice management system updates and implements into daily work. • Utilizes online resources efficiently including Outlook, Corridors, and Team Sites. • Completes other duties as assigned Required: • Two or more years of recent experience working as a Medical Assistant in a physician office setting or completion of an accredited Medical Assisting Program • High School Diploma or equivalent with 2 or more years of experience as Medical Assistant or completion of an accredited Medical Assisting Program • American Heart Association accredited Basic Life Support (BLS/CPR) certification. • Completion of phlebotomy class or equivalent experience. Basic computer knowledge. Ability to type proficiently and accurately. Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing. Ability to assess and determine situations requiring an interpreter and to use interpreter services effectively. • New graduates/hires must obtain certification/registration within 1 year from hire date. The following certifications will be accepted: • 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) • An active RN or LPN license in the state of Illinois will be accepted in lieu of CMA certification Preferred: • Associates degree in Medical Assisting • Second language proficiency a plus 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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