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This position has closed. Northwestern Medicine removed this listing from their careers page on Oct 2, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

Medical Assistant Dermatology Full time

Northwestern Medicine · SYCAMORE, IL · Full time · Health Care Provider

Posted Sep 21, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 1, 2026

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

This role floats to another dermatology office when providers are out. How does that suit you?

What they are checking: Whether they registered the floating, which the posting states.

Tell me about a patient who was difficult and what you did.

What they are checking: Patience described honestly rather than heroically.

What interests you about dermatology?

What they are checking: Whether they chose the specialty or took the opening.

What would you do

Dermatology runs a lot of patients through in a day. How do you keep the flow moving without rushing people?

What they are checking: The specific pressure of a high volume clinic.

A patient is embarrassed about the skin condition they came in for. How do you handle the visit?

What they are checking: Dignity in a specialty where people are often self-conscious.

About the work

What do you set up for a skin biopsy?

What they are checking: Whether they have worked in dermatology or would be learning the tray from scratch.

Walk me through rooming a patient and what you check before the provider comes in.

What they are checking: The sequence, including identity confirmation with two identifiers.

How do you handle and label a specimen so it reaches pathology correctly?

What they are checking: Specimen handling, which in dermatology is a daily and serious task.

How do you turn over an exam room between patients?

What they are checking: Infection control in the detail rather than the principle.

How do you confirm allergies and medications when a patient says nothing has changed?

What they are checking: Whether they take the shortcut, which is where medication errors start.

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.

Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by Northwestern Medicine.

The Medical Assistant 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 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. Responsibilities: • 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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