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Medical Assistant - Family Medicine Full-time Days

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

Posted Sep 23, 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 dealt with an upset patient at the clinic.

What they are checking: Staying calm and professional while helping solve the patient's concern.

Tell me about a time you worked closely with a nurse or provider to get something done for a patient.

What they are checking: Teamwork with licensed staff, which is how this role supports the care team.

What would you do

A patient mentions during vitals that they have been feeling hopeless lately. What do you do?

What they are checking: Taking a mental health concern seriously and making sure the provider knows before the visit starts.

You get a vital sign that seems off, like an oxygen level of 88 percent. What do you do?

What they are checking: Rechecking and reporting abnormal vitals promptly instead of just charting them.

How do you handle a full schedule with walk-in sick visits squeezed in?

What they are checking: Keeping patient flow moving and room turnover quick on unpredictable days.

What does patient confidentiality look like for you when a family member calls asking for test results?

What they are checking: Knowing privacy rules and checking authorization before sharing anything.

About the work

Walk me through rooming a patient for an annual physical in family medicine.

What they are checking: A complete intake, including identifiers, vitals, med and allergy updates, smoking history and screenings due.

Family medicine sees babies through older adults. How does your intake change for a toddler compared with an 80-year-old?

What they are checking: Comfort working across all ages, which is what separates family medicine from other clinics.

How do you give an intramuscular vaccine, and what do you check before you give it?

What they are checking: Safe injection practice, including the right patient, vaccine, dose, site and documentation.

How do you keep exam rooms clean and stocked between patients during a busy day?

What they are checking: Infection control habits and readiness that keep the clinic safe and on time.

Practice this interview out loud.

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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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