Medical Assistant Certified, Emergency Department - Per Diem

Position Summary:

The Medical Assistant – Certified (MA-C) in the Emergency Department provides clinical and operational support to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality emergency care. Working under the direction of licensed nursing staff and providers, the MA-C assists with patient intake, point-of-care testing, specimen collection, EHR documentation, and departmental workflow management. This role helps maintain patient comfort and safety in a fast-paced, high-acuity environment and supports the overall functioning of the Emergency Department at North Valley Hospital District.

Valued but Not Required Skills and Experience:

• The ability to communicate effectively in Spanish and/or additional languages.
• Experience with rural or frontier emergency care operations.
• Familiarity with trauma-informed care and principles of compassionate crisis response.

Position Responsibilities:

Teamwork / Leadership / Communication

• Support nurses and providers with patient flow, ensuring timely rooming, monitoring, and preparation for procedures.
• Communicate clearly and respectfully with team members, escalating patient concerns or changes in condition promptly.
• Participate actively in shift huddles, debriefings, and handoffs.
• Maintain a positive and solutions-oriented approach to teamwork within the Emergency Department.

Clinical Responsibilities

• Obtain and document vital signs, patient histories, and other pertinent information.
• Perform point-of-care tests and EKGs; assist with splinting, wound care, and other procedures within MA-C scope.
• Collect and label specimens according to policy, ensuring chain-of-custody when required.
• Maintain clean, stocked, and organized exam/treatment rooms and supply areas.
• Assist with patient mobility, comfort measures, and safety monitoring.
• Support triage processes under the direction of licensed nursing staff.
• Follow infection control and safety protocols consistently.

Administrative / Operational Duties

• Document clinical care accurately in the EHR.
• Assist with patient registration support, order entry, and discharge processes as directed.
• Support equipment checks, supply inventory, and reporting of malfunctioning equipment.
• Maintain confidentiality per HIPAA and organizational policy.

Process Improvement:

• Identify opportunities for process improvements to enhance efficiency and accuracy within the Emergency Department.
• Work with the team to implement changes that support quality, safety, and service excellence.

Organization’s Expectations of Employee:

• Represents North Valley Hospital and facilities positively and professionally by exemplifying the vision, mission, values, and goals of North Valley Hospital.
• Maintains attendance by working the hours of the position; follows policies and procedures regarding attendance, vacation, holidays, sick leave, and leaves of absence.
• Uses the timekeeping applications efficiently and accurately.
• Adheres to dress code; appearance is neat and clean; wears name badge while on duty.
• Uses good customer service skills by relating to staff/healthcare providers, patients/residents, customers, and the general public courteously and diplomatically under all circumstances.
• Complies with all organizational policies and procedures.
• Participates in CQI/QAPI activities, NVHD Performance Improvement Initiatives, Disaster Preparedness education/exercises, and completes duties as assigned in case of emergencies/ICS stand-up.
• Completes mandatory training in a timely manner.
• Demonstrates the ability to make decisions, take appropriate action, and follow tasks through to completion.
• Effectively collaborates with peers and team members, using tactful, diplomatic communication techniques in potentially sensitive or emotionally charged situations.
• Demonstrates leadership responsibility and skills, including planning and completing duties with minimal direction from the supervisor when appropriate.
• Performs other duties as assigned, provided skills, abilities, and qualifications are appropriate and sufficient training is provided.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here represent those an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of the job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Physical Demands:

• Frequent standing, walking, and sitting.
• Use of hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reaching with hands and arms.
• Must have speech, vision, smell, touch, and hearing corrected to normal range.
• Frequent lifting/pushing/pulling up to 25 pounds; occasional lifting/pushing/pulling up to 50 pounds.
• Vision requirements include close, distance, color, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Requirements:

• Ability to apply common sense to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagrammatic form.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide all units of measure.
• Ability to read, write, and communicate clearly.

Work Environment:

• Works indoors in close quarters with coworkers.
• Noise level is generally moderate.

Exposures:

• Muscular strain, body fluids, behaviors of clients/patients/residents, infectious materials, chemicals/cleaning solutions, potential allergens (plants/flowers), and noxious odors.

Role Qualifications:

· Current Washington State Medical Assistant – Certified (MA-C) credential.

· Current BLS certification.

· Previous experience in an Emergency Department, urgent care, or acute care setting preferred.

· Experience in a rural or critical-access hospital setting preferred.

Essential Skills and Abilities:

· Demonstrates competency in MA-C–scope clinical tasks, including vital signs, point-of-care testing, EKGs, specimen handling, and wound-care support.

· Strong prioritization, organization, and multitasking skills in a rapidly changing environment.

· Ability to remain calm, professional, and effective during high-stress or emergent situations.

· Proficient with Electronic Health Records (EHR) and accurate, timely documentation.

· Strong interpersonal skills with patients, families, and interdisciplinary teams.

· Attention to detail, sound judgment, and commitment to patient safety, privacy, and infection control standards.