Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Urgent Care Attendant

🎯 Role Definition

The Urgent Care Attendant is a frontline clinical support role in an ambulatory urgent care clinic or walk-in center. This person performs patient intake and triage, obtains accurate vitals and histories, assists clinicians with procedures and point-of-care testing, maintains clean and stocked treatment areas, documents care in the electronic health record (EHR), and ensures a safe, efficient patient experience. The role requires strong clinical fundamentals (vital signs, EKGs, phlebotomy or specimen handling), excellent patient communication, adherence to infection control and HIPAA standards, and the ability to prioritize in a fast-paced urgent care environment.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) / Paramedic
Medical Assistant (MA) certificate programs

Advancement To:

Lead/Charge Medical Assistant or Senior Urgent Care Attendant
Registered Nurse (RN) — with further education
Clinic Supervisor / Assistant Manager
Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Physician Assistant (PA) — with advanced degree

Lateral Moves:

Emergency Department Technician / ER Tech
Outpatient Clinic Medical Assistant (e.g., orthopedics, pediatrics)
Telephone Triage Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Conduct rapid, professional patient intake and triage by assessing chief complaint, medical history, allergies, current medications, and acuity level; prioritize care needs and communicate findings to the provider for timely treatment decisions.
Obtain and accurately record clinical measurements including weight, height, oxygen saturation, temperature, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and pain scores using calibrated equipment and standardized techniques.
Perform point-of-care testing (POCT) such as rapid strep, influenza, COVID-19 antigen tests, urinalysis, glucose checks, and document results in the EHR while following manufacturer and CLIA-waived testing protocols.
Prepare patients and assist clinicians during procedures including wound care, suturing assistance, incision and drainage, splinting and immobilization, foreign body removal, and minor orthopedic stabilization while maintaining sterile technique.
Draw blood and handle specimens for laboratory testing (phlebotomy), label and store specimens correctly, complete required documentation and coordinate timely courier or lab drop-off according to chain-of-custody and safety policies.
Perform and interpret basic 12-lead EKGs and rhythm strips, ensure proper lead placement, troubleshoot artifacts, and forward findings to providers for rapid cardiac assessment.
Administer provider-ordered medications and injections under established clinic protocols and standing orders, verifying patient identity, allergies, and medication administration records.
Document all patient interactions, triage notes, vitals, point-of-care results, administered treatments, and discharge instructions accurately and legibly in the clinic’s EHR (e.g., Epic, Cerner, Athenahealth) within expected timeframes.
Maintain efficient patient flow by rooming patients promptly, turning over treatment rooms between encounters (cleaning, restocking, setting up supplies), and communicating delays or changes to clinicians and patients.
Follow infection control standards, properly donning and doffing PPE, performing hand hygiene, disposing of sharps and biohazardous waste, and adhering to OSHA and facility protocols for a safe clinical environment.
Manage telephone triage and follow-up calls: provide standardized advice per clinic protocols, schedule appointments, relay test results, arrange referrals or urgent escalations, and document call outcomes in the EHR.
Support immunization administration per protocols, including vaccine preparation, patient screening for contraindications, documentation of lot numbers and VIS forms, and patient education on vaccine side effects and follow-up.
Facilitate efficient patient discharge by providing clear written and verbal wound care, medication, and follow-up instructions; complete referrals and prescriptions electronically and ensure patient understanding before departure.
Stock and monitor supplies and medications in treatment rooms and procedure carts; perform daily inventory checks, place supply orders, verify expiration dates, and rotate stock to reduce waste and maintain readiness.
Operate and maintain clinical equipment (vital sign monitors, glucometers, EKG machines, autoclaves, oxygen delivery devices), perform routine checks and cleaning, and arrange for repair or calibration when needed.
Participate in quality assurance, infection control audits, and performance improvement initiatives by collecting data, reporting incidents, and implementing corrective actions to enhance clinic operations and patient safety.
Assist with coding and front-desk coordination by verifying patient demographics and insurance information, obtaining authorizations when required, and relaying billing or coverage questions to administrative staff per clinic policy.
Respond to clinical emergencies (e.g., anaphylaxis, respiratory distress, cardiac events) by initiating basic life support (BLS), retrieving emergency equipment, assisting providers during resuscitation, and documenting the event according to policy.
Provide culturally sensitive patient education and counseling on common urgent care conditions (e.g., wound care, minor burns, minor fractures, respiratory infections), using teach-back methods to ensure comprehension and adherence.
Support onboarding and training of new staff, medical assistants, and volunteers by demonstrating clinic workflows, EHR documentation practices, triage protocols, and safety procedures to maintain consistent standards of care.
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including providers, nurses, radiology, lab personnel, and administrative staff to coordinate diagnostics (x-ray, ultrasound) and expedite patient management and disposition.
Ensure compliance with privacy and security requirements by following HIPAA regulations on protected health information (PHI) access, disclosure, and secure handling of paper and electronic records.
Maintain professional development by completing required certifications (BLS/CPR), attending clinic in-services, and staying current with urgent care clinical guidelines and standing orders.
Escalate complex clinical issues, unusual lab results, or patient complaints to the supervising provider or clinic manager promptly and document escalations and outcomes in the patient record.

Secondary Functions

Support patient satisfaction initiatives by collecting feedback, addressing non-clinical concerns promptly, and participating in service recovery when appropriate.
Assist with administrative tasks such as appointment scheduling overflow, insurance verification, and basic front-desk coverage during peak patient volumes.
Participate in inventory and supply cost-control projects, identifying opportunities for standardization and waste reduction.
Help coordinate community outreach screening events (flu clinics, COVID testing) by staffing mobile or off-site urgent care services and ensuring proper documentation and specimen handling.
Contribute to clinical documentation improvement projects by identifying documentation gaps and recommending workflow changes to enhance coding accuracy and revenue capture.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficient in taking and interpreting vital signs, including orthostatic blood pressures and pulse oximetry.
Certified phlebotomy skills with accurate venipuncture technique, specimen labeling, processing, and chain-of-custody awareness.
Competent in performing and troubleshooting 12-lead EKGs and point-of-care cardiac monitoring.
Experience with point-of-care testing (rapid infectious disease tests, urinalysis, blood glucose) and adherence to CLIA-waived testing procedures.
Hands-on wound care and minor procedure assistance skills (suturing assistance, dressing changes, wound irrigation, splint application).
Medication administration under standing orders or direct provider delegation (oral medications, intramuscular injections) and documentation.
Familiarity with major ambulatory EHR systems (Epic, Cerner, Athenahealth, eClinicalWorks) and accurate electronic charting.
Solid knowledge of infection control practices, OSHA requirements, sharps disposal, and universal precautions.
BLS/CPR certification required; additional ACLS/PALS exposure is a plus for clinics seeing pediatric patients.
Ability to operate and maintain clinical equipment: glucometers, vital sign monitors, oxygen tanks, nebulizers, EKG machines, and autoclave/sterilization units.
Basic administrative skills: patient registration, insurance verification, authorizations, lab requisitions, prescription processing.
Familiarity with basic coding/billing concepts and accurate documentation to support charge capture and ICD-10 coding.

Soft Skills

Strong verbal and written communication skills to clearly explain clinical instructions and document interactions.
Empathetic, patient-centered demeanor with ability to de-escalate anxious or distressed patients and families.
Excellent time management and prioritization skills in a high-volume, fast-paced clinical setting.
Team-oriented collaborator who coordinates effectively with providers, nurses, and front-desk personnel.
High attention to detail to ensure accurate documentation, medication administration, and specimen handling.
Adaptable and resilient under pressure, able to pivot during surge periods or unexpected emergencies.
Critical thinking and basic clinical judgment to identify red flags and escalate care appropriately.
Discretion and professionalism to maintain patient confidentiality and comply with HIPAA regulations.
Customer-service focus with commitment to delivering a positive patient experience from check-in through discharge.
Initiative and accountability for continuous learning, quality improvement participation, and following clinic protocols.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED required; completion of an accredited Medical Assistant, Phlebotomy, EMT, or CNA program preferred.

Preferred Education:

Certified Medical Assistant (CMA/AAMA) or state MA certification, phlebotomy certification, or EMT certification.
Coursework or associate degree in Nursing, Medical Assisting, Health Sciences, or related healthcare field is advantageous.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Nursing (LPN/ADN/BSN pipeline)
Medical Assisting / Clinical Support
Emergency Medical Services (EMT/Paramedic)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

0–3 years of hands-on clinical experience in an urgent care, primary care, ED, or ambulatory setting.

Preferred:

1–2+ years' experience specifically in urgent care or high-volume ambulatory clinics with demonstrated skills in triage, phlebotomy, EKGs, and EHR documentation.

Keywords: Urgent Care Attendant, Medical Assistant, triage, vitals, EKG, phlebotomy, point-of-care testing, EHR, BLS, wound care, urgent care clinic, patient intake, ambulatory care, HIPAA, infection control.