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This position has closed. Northwestern Medicine removed this listing from their careers page on Oct 6, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

Medical Assistant - Primary Care Lincoln Park Full time Days

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

Posted Sep 25, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 5, 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

Tell me about a time you had to protect a patient's privacy in a busy office.

What they are checking: Whether they act on HIPAA in real situations like phone calls, screens, and family members.

The schedule changes day to day, with Thursday running until 5:30. How do you handle a schedule like that?

What they are checking: Whether they can reliably handle varied hours that clinic needs may shift.

Tell me about a time a provider asked you to do something you weren't trained to do.

What they are checking: Whether they know their scope as an MA and speak up instead of going along.

What makes a patient leave a primary care visit feeling well treated?

What they are checking: Whether they understand that their friendliness and clarity shape how patients see the whole clinic.

What would you do

You take a blood pressure and get 186 over 112. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they recheck correctly and tell the provider or nurse right away instead of just charting it.

The clinic is running 40 minutes behind and patients are getting frustrated. How do you help?

What they are checking: Whether they keep patients informed and help flow without cutting corners on rooming.

A patient tells you during rooming that they've been feeling hopeless lately. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they take a possible mental health concern seriously and make sure the provider knows before the visit.

About the work

Walk me through rooming a patient in primary care, from the waiting room to when the doctor walks in.

What they are checking: Whether they cover two identifiers, vitals, reason for visit, allergies, meds, and smoking history without skipping steps.

How do you get an accurate blood pressure, and what can throw the reading off?

What they are checking: Whether they know cuff size, positioning, and rest time affect readings in a primary care setting.

How do you keep exam rooms stocked and clean between patients without slowing things down?

What they are checking: Whether they work ahead and keep infection control steps even when the day gets tight.

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.

Work Hours: • Monday: 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. • Tuesday: 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. • Wednesday: 8:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m. • Thursday: 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. • Friday: 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. *Work schedule subject to change based on clinic needs 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.