Medical Assistant

County of Santa Clara; California; On-site; USD 34,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Santa Clara is seeking Medical Assistants to work in ambulatory care settings under the supervision of a registered nurse or physician. The role includes assisting with routine and specialized procedures, drawing blood, and maintaining patient records.

Applicants must have a Medical Assistant credential or verified training and at least one year of outpatient experience. Completion of an accredited program is preferred, with ongoing education and exam requirements outlined.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Successful completion of an accredited Medical Assistant program.
• California Medical Assistant certification or eligibility.
• Minimum one year of outpatient medical assisting experience.
• Knowledge of basic nursing practices and medical terminology.

Responsibilities

• Prepare patients for examination by draping, obtaining vital signs, and taking history.
• Maintain exam rooms and nurses station; stock supplies and manage instruments.
• Instruct patients on procedures, hygiene, exercise, and diet; provide educational materials.
• Process charge sheets and ensure records are filed with medical records.
• Assist with patient flow, telephone screening, and inventory.
• Assist providers with routine and specialized procedures and tests.
• Draw blood samples and perform tests per physician instructions.
• Schedule tests and appointments; relay lab and X-ray reports to patients.
• Attend educational seminars to maintain professional standards.
• Perform other related work as required.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

English proficiency

Basic nursing practices

Medical terminology

Patient care

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Accredited Medical Assistant program

California Medical Assistant certification

Tools

Laboratory equipment

EKG/Phlebotomy equipment

Job description

Description

Under clinical supervision of a Registered Nurse or a licensed Physician/Podiatrist, performs specialized and complex and routine medical assistant tasks related to the care and treatment of patients in an ambulatory care setting.

Under clinical supervision of a Registered Nurse or a licensed Physician/Podiatrist, performs specialized and complex and routine medical assistant tasks related to the care and treatment of patients in an ambulatory care setting.

NOTE: Applicants who meet the employment standards will be invited to take an online examination tentatively scheduled for the week of November 23, 2026.

Candidates may be able to skip this step if they wish to apply their most recent Medical Assistant written exam result, provided the exam has not changed since they last took it. Additional information will be provided during the written exam notification step.

Typical Tasks

• Prepares patients for examination by having them properly draped, obtaining vital signs, verifying referral information, and taking detailed history when indicated;
• Maintains examination rooms and nurses station including ordering supplies, transporting specimens, washing and packaging instruments, and changing solutions; keeps Emergency Tray updated and supplies stocked in proper locations;
• Instructs patients in simple procedures/tests, hygiene, exercise, diet, and other basic instructions given by the physician; dispenses appropriate educational materials so that patient has better understanding of the procedure/diagnosis;
• Completes charge sheets and insures that they are given to the appropriate clerk for processing; maintains medical record control and insures that record is reviewed and returned to medical records department;
• Assists with office procedures including monitoring of patient flow, telephone screening, maintaining sample drug list, and ordering supplies;
• Assists medical care providers as needed with routine and specialized procedures, administration of medication, and performance of tests;
• Performs simple procedures/treatments/tests per physician instructions;
• Processes physician orders, including laboratory, x-ray, EKG, and schedules all same day tests and appointments; prepares all forms and requisitions as needed by physician or other medical provider;
• Follows through to make sure laboratory and x-ray reports are received; receives and relays those reports to patients after being instructed to do so by reviewing physicians;
• Attends educational seminars or other professional activities as described by AAMA to maintain professional standards;
• Draws blood samples (with Phlebotomy Certification);
• Performs other related work and comparable duties as required.

Employment Standards

Certification as a Medical Assistant or training and experience required by California law to qualify as a Medical Assistant and sufficient training, education or experience to show practical application of, and success in the following knowledge and abilities.

Experience Note: The successful applicant would normally have a high school diploma or the equivalent and a minimum of one year of experience in an outpatient medical assisting position which has provided training and experience in performing most typical tasks of this position. Completion of an accredited training program (i.e. Regional Occupational Center/Community College) and possession of a Certificate as a Medical Assistant may be substituted for the one year of experience.

Knowledge Of

• Basic nursing practices and medical assisting skills and the various types of materials and equipment related to outpatient care and their application;
• Relevant medical terminology;
• Principles of asepsis;
• Verbal and written English communication;
• Basic patient observation skills and record keeping practices;
• Methods of performing skin tests, tonometry, booth audio metrics, hand-held audio metrics, visual acuities, visual field screening, typanometrics, and other basis tests which may be performed in the outpatient setting by Medical Assistants;
• Methods of conducting or assisting patients (per medical care provider's instructions) with basic tests and treatments performed at an ambulatory care clinic;
• Methods and materials for teaching patients (per medical care provider's instructions) laboratory and radiology preparation, exercise, hygiene, use of medication and dietary information, and other topics as needed;
• Content of laboratory and x-ray reports sufficient to relay information after they are reviewed by the physician;
• Operation of laboratory and x-ray reports sufficient to relay information after they are reviewed by the physician;
• Operation, maintenance and simple calibration of specialized equipment related to the performance of tests and procedures in the ambulatory care setting.

Ability to:

• Perform a variety of routine and complex direct patient care services and assist medical service providers in both simple and more difficult treatments;
• Understand and follow written and oral instructions from physicians, nurses, and other team members;
• Communicate effectively with others verbally and in writing in English;
• Instruct and assist patients effectively;
• Maintain complex and accurate records/charts;
• Process physician's orders, prepare forms and requisitions as needed;
• Perform routine clerical support work;
• Perform routine housekeeping/stocking duties in relation to exam rooms, doctor's offices, and other patient care areas;
• Measure for crutches and teach use of crutches;
• Work quickly and accurately following instructions with minimal direct supervision; give clear, concise instructions when necessary;
• Maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, patients, and others;
• Screen patients and collect data by observing patient and reporting to appropriate medical personnel;
• Stand and walk for long periods and exercise a moderate amount of physical exertion (including stooping and lifting) and manual dexterity in the handling of patients and equipment;
• Operate and maintain ambulatory care related equipment;
• Learn new procedures and information within reasonable period of time;
• Orient other employees effectively in clinic layout, and basic practices and procedures;
• Organize and prioritize workload assignments; follow-through with assignments;
• Maintain a patient, understanding, tolerant attitude under stressful conditions including illness, death and other unpleasant aspects of working in a medical setting.