Lead Certified Medical Assistant; CMA - MD

Job Details

Location:

Indian Health Clinic – 703 NE Hancock St., Portland, OR 97212 & Wellness Center – 12360 E Burnside St., Portland, OR 97233

Position:
Lead Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)

Type:
Full Time

Schedule:

Monday–Friday, 8:00am–5:00pm with occasional rotating coverage for the late clinic (10:00am–7:00pm) and once‑monthly Saturday diabetes clinic, rotating every few months.

Wage: $29.00 – $32.50 hourly (non‑exempt, hourly)

Under the general direction of the Nursing Director, the Lead Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) provides leadership and coordination for the day‑to‑day operations of Medical Assistants to support efficient clinic flow and high‑quality patient care. The Lead CMA fosters a positive, team‑oriented environment and serves as a role model for clinical staff, while helping ensure consistent performance, coverage, and adherence to clinic standards.

This role works closely with front desk and clinical teams to address workflow needs and support smooth daily operations. In addition to oversight responsibilities, the position also contributes directly to patient care through clinical and administrative support as needed, while ensuring alignment with NARA NW’s guidelines, philosophies, and objectives. Flexibility to support occasional evenings and weekends is required.

• Perform all core Medical Assistant duties, including preparing patients for exams and procedures, obtaining vital signs and medical histories, performing EKGs, venipuncture, injections, CLIA‑waived lab tests, and other clinical tasks. Support providers with patient care activities such as referrals, phone calls, retrieving lab or specialty reports, and administering immunizations as needed.
• Provide day‑to‑day leadership and support to Medical Assistants, including coordinating break and lunch coverage, adjusting assignments to maintain appropriate staffing levels, and addressing patient care or workflow issues as they arise.
• Monitor and manage patient flow in collaboration with front desk staff, addressing delays and resolving issues to ensure efficient operations and high‑quality patient service. Escalate urgent patient, staffing, or facility concerns to the Nursing Director as appropriate.
• Assist with MA schedules in collaboration with clinic leadership, ensuring adequate coverage across shifts, locations, and during staff absences.
• Train and onboard new Medical Assistants in clinical workflows, systems, and standards of practice. Provide ongoing coaching, feedback, and performance input, including contributions to reviewing competency, and employee evaluations. Coordinate training for clinical systems such as Athena, Centricity Quest.
• Promote a positive, respectful, and team‑oriented work environment by modeling professionalism and customer service excellence, and reinforcing expectations aligned with NARA’s mission and values.
• Support effective team communication regarding workflow, updates, and operational needs.
• Maintain clinical environment standards, including ensuring exam rooms are clean, stocked, and compliant with infection control, safety, and waste management protocols. Monitor completion of room and equipment checklists.
• Collaborate with medical equipment supply, assist as needed in monitoring inventory levels, ordering supplies, ensuring proper equipment function and calibration, and supporting control testing as required.
• Support audit readiness and compliance by assisting with implementation, monitoring, and updates of departmental protocols, policies, and procedures. Serve as a point of contact during audits and help disseminate updates, changes, and training to staff.
• Maintain reliability in attendance, timeliness, and flexibility to work evenings, weekends, overtime, and across multiple clinic locations as needed.

• High school diploma or General Education Development (GED) required.
• Current nationally recognized Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential required.
• Minimum three (3) years of recent Medical Assistant experience in a clinical setting.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, train, and support clinical staff in a fast‑paced environment.
• Strong knowledge…