Health Care Assistant

Michigan State University; East Lansing (MI); On-site; USD 34,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Michigan State University HealthCare in East Lansing seeks a medical office assistant to support clinicians by documenting vital signs and medical history, and by assisting with procedures and patient flow.

The role involves direct patient contact, basic lab tasks, scheduling, insurance verification, and multi-line phone management in a fast-paced clinical setting. A related certification and relevant experience are preferred.

Qualifications

• High school education or equivalent.
• 6 months to 1 year of experience in medical office or clinical setting performing routine health assessment tests.
• Experience with EMR and patient scheduling systems; Medical Billing/Medical Terminology experience.

Responsibilities

• Greet patients and register/direct them to appointment areas.
• Record chief complaint; take vital signs and health information; perform routine tests (vaccines, venipuncture, BP, pulse, respiration, height/weight).
• Assist providers during examinations, treatments and minor surgery.
• Order/schedule lab tests and relay results to providers and medical records.
• Prepare equipment, clean exam rooms, and maintain supplies.
• Verify insurance coverage and collect payments; communicate with insurers for authorizations.
• Schedule appointments and maintain physician master schedule; handle calls and messages.
• Manage patient charts/medical records and filing; maintain petty cash.
• Monitor inventory and orders per guidelines; perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Medical terminology

Multiline phone handling

Team collaboration

Independent work

Scheduling tasks

Education

Certified Nursing Assistant

Certified Medical Assistant

Licensed EMT/EMT-P

Phlebotomy

Tools

Electronic Medical Records (EMR) systems

Patient scheduling software

Medical Billing software

Job description

Position Summary

The HCA’s primary function is to prepare patients for their office visit by obtaining and documenting vital signs and medical history and to provide assistance and support to the professional health care provider and/or nursing staff. This position works within the healthcare team and is responsible for acting on tasks delegated including medication administration, procedure set-up, assistance and follow-through, administration of ordered treatments.

Job duties:

• Greets patients in order to determine needs; registers and directs patients to the correct appointment areas.
• Records chief complaint, takes vital signs and health information, and performs routine tests and procedures including, vaccines, venipuncture, blood pressures, pulse rates, respirations, weights and heights.
• Assists health care providers during examinations, treatments, and minor surgery.
• Orders and schedules lab tests, retrieves and distributes results to health care providers, laboratories and medical records as directed.
• Prepares equipment/supplies and cleans examination rooms in order to prepare for patient examinations.
• Verifies insurance coverage and authorizations and collects payments from patients.
• Communicates with insurance vendors to obtain authorization for tests, procedures, and surgeries.
• Schedules appointments, maintains master schedule for physicians and provides information; receives and routes calls and relays messages.
• Orders, updates, copies and files patients' charts/medical records in order to insure their availability for health care providers.
• Types materials, completes and verifies forms, and maintains general filing system and the petty cash and change fund.
• Monitors supply inventory and orders per guidelines.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

Knowledge normally acquired through a high school education; six months to one year of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in a medical office setting or in a clinical setting performing routine health assessment tests; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Requires experience in the use of word processing and database software, a specified medical course such as Certified Nursing Assistant, Certified Medical Assistant, Licensed EMT/EMT-P, or Phlebotomy. Requires knowledge of electronic medical record and patient scheduling systems and Medical Billing/Medical Terminology experience.

Desired Qualifications

Familiarity with medical terminology; experience in scheduling, screening, and confirming medical appointments using a computerized information system; current or prior experience obtaining/checking authorizations; experience scanning documents and handling a multi-line phone system. Prefer one year of work-related experience in a medical office clinical setting with medical terminology. Must have a strong desire and/or experience to work with a patient population that is diverse socially, financially, and ethnically. Must have the ability to work independently and collaboratively with minimal supervision completing assignments accurately. Prefer Medical Assistant certification within 1 year of hire. Current BLS certification preferred.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

Cover Letter

Resume

Work Hours

Work hours are typically 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM but may vary as necessary to accommodate clinic operations.

Website

HTTPS://HEALTHCARE.MSU.EDU/

Summary of Physical Demands

The job requires significant physical effort and involves carrying charts and medical equipment, assisting in ambulating and lifting patients.

Summary of Health Risks

This position involves potential exposure to human blood, serum, other bodily fluids, and materials covered under Universal Precautions. Employees may work in close proximity to patients, including within three feet in a healthcare setting, and may encounter infectious disease risks such as tuberculosis (TB). Compliance with infection prevention protocols is required, including the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as respirators, when necessary.

The Bidding Eligibility ends on 06/16/2026 at 11:55 PM