Job Description
Medical Assistant (Credentialed/Certified) - MSHC - Main
Hiring Department: MSHC - Main
Location: Chicago, IL USA
Requisition ID: 102+884
FTE: 1
Work Schedule: M-F 8A-6P, SOME SAT
Shift: Flex Days
# of Positions: 3
Workplace Type: On-Site
Posting Close Date: 04/02/2026
Salary Range (commensurate with experience): $24.83 - 26.88 / Hourly Wage
About the University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System (UI Health)
The University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System (UI Health) provides comprehensive care, education, and research to the people of Illinois and beyond. A part of the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), UI Health comprises a clinical enterprise that includes a Joint Commission-accredited tertiary care hospital and outpatient clinics, and the Mile Square Health Center network of federally qualified health centers. It also includes the seven UIC health science colleges: the College of Applied Health Sciences; the College of Dentistry; the School of Public Health; the Jane Addams College of Social Work; and the Colleges of Medicine, Pharmacy, and Nursing, including regional campuses in Peoria, Quad Cities, Rockford, Springfield, and Urbana. UI Health is dedicated to the pursuit of health equity. Learn more: https://hospital.uillinois.edu/about-ui-health
Benefits eligible positions include a comprehensive benefits package which offers: Health, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability & AD&D insurance; a defined benefit pension plan; paid leaves such as Vacation, Holiday and Sick; tuition waivers for employees and dependents. Click for a complete list of Employee Benefits.
Position Summary:
The Certified Medical Assistant (Referral Coordinator) will manage all referral requests for the Mile Square Health Center (MSHC) clinics. He/she will review referral requests for medical necessity, ensure prior documentation is received, input data into electronic medical record, and issue referral authorizations. The Certified Medical Assistant (Referral Coordinator) will work with internal and external customers to ensure patient records are complete and all documentation is received for care delivery.
Duties & Responsibilities:
Receive and handle all referral requests from Providers and outside vendors in a timely manner.
Review requests against medical necessity criteria for appropriateness of care.
Communicate, correspond, and distribute information to Providers, patients, and other appropriate parties to ensure that proper documentation exists prior to referral authorization and communicate required information to insurance companies as needed.
Input all referral requests ensuring accurateness of medical terminology, ICD-10, and CPT codes for patients to receive specialty care and procedures into electronic medical record.
Compile and analyze departmental statistics and reports.
Issue referral authorization within appropriate timeframe for routine, urgent, and emergent requests.
Provide referral authorization to external Providers and patients per MSHC polices/procedures and other contracted client processes.
Maintain pending referral authorizations providing follow-up until pending authorizations are approved.
Submit to insurance companies’ appropriate medical record documentation to support requested service(s).
Maintain clinical documentation for insurance company pre-certifications.
Collect records from outside Providers to ensure medical records are complete and to provide documentation/evidence for closure of gaps in care.
Maintain updated knowledge of referral requirements for all MSHC contracted insurance plans.
Act as a resource to patients and staff regarding managed care requirements.
Verify member’s insurance eligibility and benefits for patients ensuring systems are accurately updated.
Update patient demographics as needed.
Maintain confidentiality of all patient records and adhere to federal/state HIPAA policies and procedures.
Identify patterns or problems causing delays in referrals and provide suggestions to Manager on how to streamline the referral process.
Attend all MSHC meetings related to insurance, referrals, precertification, etc.
Work closely with other Referral Coordinators as a team.
Respond to patient inquiries providing factual information via phone/in person; obtain patient information regarding illness and health problems; and relay information as appropriate for disposition of the patient.
Provide telephonic triage of patient messages through the electronic medical record system.
Maintain patient files and medical records, document laboratory data, and compile periodic statistical reports for analysis as needed.
Dispatch messages to other departments and make appointments for patients requiring services in other departments; initiate follow-up communication for tests or procedures as directed.
Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications Required:
High school graduation or equivalent.
Possession of a current/valid certification as a Certified Medical Assistant by an approved certifying board as defined by the employing institution. The approved certifying boards include; American Association of Medical Assistant (AAMA), American Medical Technologists (AMT), National Center for Competency Testing (NCCTI) and/or National Health career Association (NHA).
Possession of a current/valid American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support CPR Certification.
Preferred Qualifications:
Two to Three (2-3) years of clinical outpatient experience
Flexibility to work occasional Saturdays and overtime
Bilingual in Spanish
Knowledge of basic medical terminology
Knowledge of basic first aid principles, method
Hiring Department: MSHC - Main
Location: Chicago, IL USA
Requisition ID: 102+884
FTE: 1
Work Schedule: M-F 8A-6P, SOME SAT
Shift: Flex Days
# of Positions: 3
Workplace Type: On-Site
Posting Close Date: 04/02/2026
Salary Range (commensurate with experience): $24.83 - 26.88 / Hourly Wage
About the University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System (UI Health)
The University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System (UI Health) provides comprehensive care, education, and research to the people of Illinois and beyond. A part of the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), UI Health comprises a clinical enterprise that includes a Joint Commission-accredited tertiary care hospital and outpatient clinics, and the Mile Square Health Center network of federally qualified health centers. It also includes the seven UIC health science colleges: the College of Applied Health Sciences; the College of Dentistry; the School of Public Health; the Jane Addams College of Social Work; and the Colleges of Medicine, Pharmacy, and Nursing, including regional campuses in Peoria, Quad Cities, Rockford, Springfield, and Urbana. UI Health is dedicated to the pursuit of health equity. Learn more: https://hospital.uillinois.edu/about-ui-health
Benefits eligible positions include a comprehensive benefits package which offers: Health, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability & AD&D insurance; a defined benefit pension plan; paid leaves such as Vacation, Holiday and Sick; tuition waivers for employees and dependents. Click for a complete list of Employee Benefits.
Position Summary:
The Certified Medical Assistant (Referral Coordinator) will manage all referral requests for the Mile Square Health Center (MSHC) clinics. He/she will review referral requests for medical necessity, ensure prior documentation is received, input data into electronic medical record, and issue referral authorizations. The Certified Medical Assistant (Referral Coordinator) will work with internal and external customers to ensure patient records are complete and all documentation is received for care delivery.
Duties & Responsibilities:
Receive and handle all referral requests from Providers and outside vendors in a timely manner.
Review requests against medical necessity criteria for appropriateness of care.
Communicate, correspond, and distribute information to Providers, patients, and other appropriate parties to ensure that proper documentation exists prior to referral authorization and communicate required information to insurance companies as needed.
Input all referral requests ensuring accurateness of medical terminology, ICD-10, and CPT codes for patients to receive specialty care and procedures into electronic medical record.
Compile and analyze departmental statistics and reports.
Issue referral authorization within appropriate timeframe for routine, urgent, and emergent requests.
Provide referral authorization to external Providers and patients per MSHC polices/procedures and other contracted client processes.
Maintain pending referral authorizations providing follow-up until pending authorizations are approved.
Submit to insurance companies’ appropriate medical record documentation to support requested service(s).
Maintain clinical documentation for insurance company pre-certifications.
Collect records from outside Providers to ensure medical records are complete and to provide documentation/evidence for closure of gaps in care.
Maintain updated knowledge of referral requirements for all MSHC contracted insurance plans.
Act as a resource to patients and staff regarding managed care requirements.
Verify member’s insurance eligibility and benefits for patients ensuring systems are accurately updated.
Update patient demographics as needed.
Maintain confidentiality of all patient records and adhere to federal/state HIPAA policies and procedures.
Identify patterns or problems causing delays in referrals and provide suggestions to Manager on how to streamline the referral process.
Attend all MSHC meetings related to insurance, referrals, precertification, etc.
Work closely with other Referral Coordinators as a team.
Respond to patient inquiries providing factual information via phone/in person; obtain patient information regarding illness and health problems; and relay information as appropriate for disposition of the patient.
Provide telephonic triage of patient messages through the electronic medical record system.
Maintain patient files and medical records, document laboratory data, and compile periodic statistical reports for analysis as needed.
Dispatch messages to other departments and make appointments for patients requiring services in other departments; initiate follow-up communication for tests or procedures as directed.
Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications Required:
High school graduation or equivalent.
Possession of a current/valid certification as a Certified Medical Assistant by an approved certifying board as defined by the employing institution. The approved certifying boards include; American Association of Medical Assistant (AAMA), American Medical Technologists (AMT), National Center for Competency Testing (NCCTI) and/or National Health career Association (NHA).
Possession of a current/valid American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support CPR Certification.
Preferred Qualifications:
Two to Three (2-3) years of clinical outpatient experience
Flexibility to work occasional Saturdays and overtime
Bilingual in Spanish
Knowledge of basic medical terminology
Knowledge of basic first aid principles, method
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Medical Assistant (Credentialed/Certified) - MSHC - Main position is now open for candidates interested in the Health Jobs sector. This role in Chicago offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Health Jobs is a plus.