Medical Assistant - Infectious Disease Clinic

Organization Overview, Mission, Vision, and Values

Our mission is to improve the health of people in the communities we serve through compassionate, high quality care, prevention, and wellness education. Washington Regional Medical System is a community owned, locally governed, non profit health care system located in Northwest Arkansas in the heart of Fayetteville, which is consistently ranked among the Best Places to live in the country. Our 425 bed medical center has been named the #1 hospital in Arkansas for five consecutive years by U.S. News & World Report. We employ 3,400+ team members and serve the region with over 40 clinic locations, the region’s only Level II trauma center, and five Centers of Excellence, the Washington Regional J.B. Hunt Transport Services Neuroscience Institute; Washington Regional Walker Heart Institute; Washington Regional Women and Infants Center; Washington Regional Total Joint Center; and Washington Regional Pat Walker Center for Seniors.

Position Summary

The role of the Medical Assistant reports to the Clinic Manager. This position supports physicians, nurses, and front office staff in providing high quality care to patients with a wide range of infectious conditions. This position requires strong attention to infection control protocols, precise clinical documentation, and the ability to work efficiently in a specialty environment that manages complex and often immunocompromised patients.

Essential Position Responsibilities

• Obtain and document patient vitals, histories, and symptom details in the electronic medical record (EMR).
• Perform CLIA waived testing commonly used in infectious disease evaluation (e.g., rapid HIV, flu, strep, urinalysis, glucose).
• Prepare patients for examinations and assist providers with procedures such as wound care, specimen collection, and vaccine administration.
• Collect, process, label, and prepare specimens (blood, swabs, cultures) following infectious disease specific handling requirements.
• Ensure exam rooms and treatment areas meet infection prevention standards, including enhanced disinfection protocols.
• Maintain and monitor adequate stock of PPE, disinfectants, and specialty supplies required for infectious disease management.
• Appropriately process and disinfect reusable medical instruments.
• Manage biohazard materials according to OSHA and clinic policy.
• Support patient flow to minimize cross contamination risk.
• Reinforce patient education provided by providers or nurses, including medication administration, preventive care, and transmission reduction guidance.
• Coordinate referrals, lab follow ups, imaging requests, and outside records relevant to infectious disease workups.
• Assist front desk staff with scheduling, check in, vaccine/immunization registry updates, and documentation as needed.

Qualifications

• Education: High School diploma or GED; completion of an accredited Medical Assistant or Patient Care Tech program preferred.
• Licensure and Certifications: CPR, required; MA or PCT certification preferred.
• Experience: Minimum of 2 years’ experience in a clinical or medical assistant role preferred. Experience in infectious disease, internal medicine, or other high acuity outpatient specialty preferred.

Work Environment: This position will spend 80% of time standing and/or walking while pushing, pulling, lifting, and/or carrying up to 50 pounds. This position will spend 20% of time sitting while performing work in a standard office environment. Regular exposure to communicable diseases, bodily fluids, and biohazard materials. Use of appropriate PPE required as necessary.

Notice: This job description is designed to provide an overview of the essential and principal duties and responsibilities of the position. The job description is not designed or intended to cover or set forth a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Washington Regional reserves the right in its absolute discretion to change duties, responsibilities or activities or assign new duties, responsibilities, or activities at any time with or without notice. Employees may be directed to perform job related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.