Certified Medical Assistant

COWLITZ INDIAN TRIBE; Longview (WA); On-site; USD 37,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

Cowlitz Indian Tribe in Longview, WA is seeking an experienced Certified Medical Assistant to support the patient care team in the HHS – Clinic. You will assist providers and nurses, collect vital signs, document encounters in the electronic health record, and help manage patient flow with a patient-centered approach.

The role requires WA Medical Assistant certification, a high school diploma or GED, CPR/BLS, and the ability to pass background checks.

Qualifications

• Washington State Medical Assistant Certification required.
• High School Diploma/GED required.
• Knowledge of HIPAA, Medicare, Medicaid, and insurance programs.

Responsibilities

• Greet patients and direct them to examination areas.
• Record patient history, vital signs, and enter data into the EHR.
• Manage patient flow and assist with in-clinic procedures.
• Assist with specimen collection and basic nursing tasks as directed.
• Support administrative tasks and maintain confidentiality.

Skills

Medical terminology

HIPAA compliance

Patient registration

Communication skills

EHR systems

Education

Washington State Medical Assistant Certification

High School Diploma/GED

Tools

Electronic Health Record (EHR) system

Job description

Job Details Level: Experienced Job Location: Longview, WA 98632 Position Type: Full Time Salary Range: $27.15 - $31.25 Hourly POSITION TITLE: Certified Medical Assistant DEPARTMENT: HHS – Clinic LOCATION: Longview, Washington REPORTS TO: Medical Clinic Manager STATUS: Hourly; Full-Time WAGE RANGE: $27.15 - $31.25 per hour CLOSING DATE: Open Until Filled (First Review 8/28/2026)

If you are an American Indian/Alaska Native and/or a Veteran and would like this to be considered a preference in hiring, please upload documentation with your resume and cover letter. Acceptable documentation includes a Tribal Enrollment card, a letter from your Tribe stating your enrollment, or BIA 4432 and/or DD214.

Position Summary:

Contributes to the effectiveness of the patient care team by providing clinical and clerical support. Assists providers and nurses in direct patient integrated care according to established policies, procedures, and protocols. Works proactively as a member of the care team by anticipating patient and provider needs, prioritizing responsibilities, and ensuring timely follow-through on assigned tasks within scope of practice. Supports a whole person care approach for all patients by recognizing and addressing the interconnected physical, behavioral, social, cultural, and spiritual factors that influence health and wellness. Maintains professionalism in all interactions with internal and external customers. Adheres to HIPAA and confidentiality requirements. Honors and represents the mission, vision, and values of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe (CIT) and the Health & Human Services (HHS) department.

This list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only of the tasks performed by this position and is not all-inclusive.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Receives and greets patients, directing and assisting them to examination areas.
• Gathers patients’ medical history, vital signs, and records information into patients' electronic health record for review by medical provider.
• Manages patient flow and ensures timely care.
• Collects blood (by venipuncture or finger stick), urine, stool, and other specimens, throat cultures, and sputum specimens as requested by provider and with adherence to established policies, procedures, and precautions.
• Completes laboratory request forms and labels laboratory specimens; cleans and sterilizes instruments according to infection control standard policies.
• Cleans and prepares examination/treatment rooms for patient's appointment.
• Provides patients with drape coverings and positions instruments/equipment according to infection control standard policies and provider requests.
• Assists in handing instruments and materials to provider as directed.
• Assists with inventory control in the clinic and orders medical supplies and materials. Completes purchase orders for ordered clinic supplies.
• Performs EKG tests and other diagnostic equipment for in-house routine tests or therapeutic equipment as ordered by medical provider.
• Administers oral, respiratory, and injection medication or treatments per scope of practice under the supervision of a licensed provider.
• Performs wound care including sutures and staple removal as directed by provider.
• Schedules appointments, verifies appointments, and assists with administrative, reception, or other clerical tasks as needed.
• Assists with pre-authorization for medical services and medications.
• Supports providers and the care team by completing assigned clinical and administrative tasks within scope of practice, including preparing clinical requests for provider review and authorization, and ensuring appropriate follow-through through completion.
• Reviews upcoming schedules, retrieves, organizes, and prepares patient charts, and makes other preparations as needed.
• Responds to patient inquiries and concerns in a timely manner, demonstrates empathy and cultural humility, and helps ensure a welcoming, supportive, and patient-centered environment.
• Participates in staff meetings as needed.
• Adapts to changes in safety protocols and procedures.
• Completes Information Security System Awareness (ISSA) trainings as required.
• Contributes to a team effort and accomplishes related results as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of traditional form of government and tribal customs and traditions.
• Knowledge of basic medical terminology preferred.
• Knowledge of patient registration and healthcare front office preferred.
• Knowledge of policies and procedures related to HIPAA, Medicare, Medicaid, and insurance programs.
• Knowledge of office functions, procedures, and policies.
• Skill in operating various word-processing, spreadsheet, and database software programs in a Windows environment, including electronic health care systems.
• Skill in treating internal and external customers with tact, courtesy, and respect.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to interact and maintain good working relationships with individuals of varying social and cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to communicate efficiently and effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment.
• Ability to anticipate needs, prioritize work, take appropriate initiative, and follow assigned responsibilities through completion within established scope of practice, policies, and procedures.

QualificationsMinimum Qualifications:

• High School Diploma/GED.
• Washington State Medical Assistant Certification required.
• One year of professional experience working as a Medical Assistant required.
• A valid driver’s license is required when driving vehicles for work-related purposes.
• Obtain and maintain BLS/CPR and AED certifications.
• Must be able to successfully pass a background screening/investigation according to the established requirements below.

Tribal preference in accordance with the Cowlitz Indian Tribe Code and CIT Employee Policies and Procedures Handbook shall apply to all positions. All positions are required to adhere to CIT’s established safety policies regarding vaccine requirements and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Background Investigation Requirements:

• Pre-employment drug screen.
• Reference checks, education and employment verification.
• Federal, state, and/or tribal criminal history and sanction checks including fingerprint verification.
• Has not been found guilty of, charged with, received a deferred sentence, received a conditional discharge of, or entered a plea of not contest to, or entered a plea of guilty to any one felony or misdemeanor crimes of violence, sexual assault, molestation, exploitation or sexual contact; prostitution; or crimes committed against person(s) or children.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly is required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee occasionally is required to stand; walk; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 20 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and clarity of vision at long distance.

Work Environment:

Work is generally performed in an office/clinical setting with a moderate noise level. Employee may be exposed to unpleasant odors, bodily fluids, blood-borne pathogens, and infectious disease. Situations occur where PPE (personal protective equipment) is needed. May come in contact with hostile, violent, or offensive individuals. Evening and/or weekend work may be required. Tight time constraints and multiple demands are common.