Lead Medical Assistant

Chestnut Health Systems is seeking a Lead Medical Assistant to support clinical operations across its Southern Region Community Family Health Centers (CFHC). This position provides day-to-day leadership and staff training support while performing hands-on medical assistant duties. The Lead Medical Assistant helps coordinate scheduling and staff coverage, supports employee development, and assists with patient care in clinic and mobile medical unit settings. This role is ideal for an experienced Medical Assistant who enjoys supporting a team while remaining actively involved in patient care.

This position requires local travel, flexibility to work at different office locations, and a willingness to drive and operate a mobile medical unit.

Chestnut Health Systems™ is a leading provider of integrated health care services. Since 1973, Chestnut has grown to more than 800 committed, compassionate employees providing substance use, mental health, and primary care treatment to patients in Illinois and Missouri. We provide fully integrated care for all our patients by combining behavioral health care services with our community-based primary care health centers. Chestnut also conducts research and training throughout the U.S.A.

• Provide day-to-day leadership and direction related to scheduling, staff coverage, and patient care at assigned locations.
• Respond to staff, patient, and program inquiries and help identify solutions to operational needs.
• Serve as the training lead for assigned locations by supporting employee learning, updating training materials, evaluating staff readiness, and maintaining training documentation in Relias.
• Assess staff competency and readiness to independently perform assigned job responsibilities.
• Complete required documentation and data entry, including screenings, assessments, progress notes, opening requirements, and funder-related paperwork.
• Promote Chestnut’s recovery-oriented and trauma-informed approach by supporting hope, respect, empowerment, health and wellness, and connectedness.
• Maintain positive working relationships with patients, families, healthcare providers, community organizations, and coworkers.
• Attend meetings and staffings, participate in program development, complete required training, and provide backup support to team members.
• Maintain required CPR and applicable CMA, CMOA, or EMT certifications.
• Perform medical assistant duties in clinic and mobile medical unit settings, including:
• Review patient charts before appointments, identify care gaps, obtain outside records, and prepare necessary paperwork.
• Room patients, complete appropriate screenings and performance measures, and assist with releases of information and other required forms.
• Obtain and accurately document vital signs, recognizing normal and abnormal ranges.
• Gather patient health histories, hospital histories, and current medication information and enter documentation into the electronic medical record (EMR).
• Perform and document point-of-care testing in accordance with established procedures, manufacturer instructions, and required oversight.
• Provide health education materials and basic patient instruction within the scope of the role and applicable supervision requirements.
• Perform and document venipuncture and capillary blood collection while following established safety procedures.
• Prepare patients and exam rooms for medical examinations while maintaining a safe and sanitary environment.
• Apply and document sterile dressings according to provider direction and established procedures.
• Assist with inventory management and stocking of examination rooms and laboratory supplies.
• Promote Chestnut’s customer service standards in interactions with patients, coworkers, and community partners.
• Maintain the confidentiality and security of patient, financial, and organizational information.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Successful completion of a Medical Assistant or Emergency Medical training program.
• Current certification as a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), Certified Medical Office Assistant (CMOA), or Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).
• At least one year of experience as a Medical Assistant, in a similar role, or in leadership/project management.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to be insured.
• Willingness and ability to drive and operate a mobile medical unit.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Word, email, videoconferencing, and electronic medical record (EMR) systems.
• Ability to provide staff guidance, support training activities, and help assess employee readiness.
• Ability to perform clinical duties accurately and safely, including vital signs, point-of-care testing, phlebotomy, and assisting with medical examinations.
• Ability to travel locally and work at different office, clinic, community, and mobile locations as needed.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

This position involves a combination of office, clinic, community, and mobile medical unit work. Employees must be able to sit, stand, walk, bend, stoop, reach, and perform repetitive hand movements throughout the workday. The role requires the ability to operate standard office and clinical equipment, safely travel between locations, and lift or move supplies and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds occasionally and 25 pounds frequently.

Employees may work in varying environmental conditions and must be comfortable entering, exiting, preparing, and operating a mobile medical unit. The position involves frequent interaction with patients, families, healthcare providers, and community partners from diverse backgrounds. Employees may encounter individuals experiencing substance use, delusions, hallucinations, or challenging verbal behavior. Exposure to bloodborne pathogens, bodily fluids, and infectious diseases is possible; appropriate personal protective equipment will be provided and must be used according to agency policies and OSHA standards.

The schedule is generally during normal business hours, with occasional flexibility based on program needs.

Are you intrigued by this job but don’t meet every single requirement? Chestnut is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. If you’re excited about any of our posted positions but your experience doesn’t line up perfectly, please apply anyway! We’d love to explore the possibilities with you.

Chestnut Health Systems is a leader in the effort to achieve health equity, providing high-quality health and human services in underserved communities. We deliver trauma-informed, fully integrated care by combining behavioral health with community-based primary health care. Chestnut’s research division is nationally recognized for its contribution to evidence-based practices. Our empathic and innovative employees live our mission of making a difference.

Chestnut offers a new salary structure and robust benefits!

EOE – Minorities/Females/Veterans/Disabled. Chestnut welcomes applications from qualified individuals with recovery experience.

The anticipated starting pay for new hires for this position is between $19.25 - $22.00 an hour. There are several factors taken into consideration in determining base pay, including but not limited to: job-related qualifications, skills, education, experience, local market conditions, and internal equity. Check out additional benefits here!