Celebrating Medical Assistants Recognition Week at Northwell Health

Our medical assistant (MA) team members are an integral part of the patient experience.  While assisting patients under the supervision of our physicians and nurses, our MA team members take the lead on multiple tasks for the patient from visit preparation to administering, obtaining and recording diagnostic laboratory test results to preparing and filing reports into a patient’s medical records. We interviewed a few of our amazing medical assistants — Natasha, Miriam and Cassandra — to discuss how their career and professional development has been supported at Northwell.

Tell us about your current role and what responsibilities you have as a medical assistant.

Cassandra Denis, Medical Assistant, Neurosurgery: I joined Northwell in 2020. Joining the Northwell team was one of the best transitions and accomplishments I made for my career. My responsibilities include assisting the clinicians and nurse practitioners by bringing patients to their exam rooms, checking blood pressure and reviewing their history and medications. I am also responsible for answering phone calls and booking appointments, scanning documents into patient charts and prepping for the next office hours.

Miriam Edwards, Senior Medical Assistant, Cardiology: I became part of the Northwell team when my office was acquired in 2008. As a medical assistant, I am responsible for preparing patients to meet with the cardiologist. This includes interviewing them to get their medical history, completing vitals and EKGs, completing stress tests, applying Holter monitors and acting as a patient navigator to help them through their visit.

Natasha Benn, Medical Assistant, General Pediatrics: I joined Northwell in 2012. As a medical assistant I assist providers in taking vitals, performing tests, prepping the room prior to a patient’s visit and disinfecting afterwards. I also scan and work on paperwork related to school, camp and medications forms and medical records, as well as work on administrative tasks.

How has your growth and development been supported by Northwell?

CD: Northwell has supported my growth and development in many ways. I am eager to learn from different departments while continuing to care for my patients with love, compassion and patience. Northwell has helped me grow my professional network and has given me the opportunity to cross train and learn so that I can grow as a medical assistant. Northwell always finds new ways to help their employees to progress in their career journey.

ME: Northwell has been excellent for career development. I feel supported in my goals, development, and work-life balance. I have even taken several classes to enhance my skills as a medical assistant.

NB: Northwell has given me opportunities to gain experience at other facilities and has given me opportunities to learn.  I am now more aware and capable in dealing with difficult scenarios and situations when it comes to the health and care of our patients.

What do you love about your job at Northwell?

CD: What I love about Northwell and the department that I work for is that we are like a family. We treat each other with the utmost respect. My team is always willing to help each other through stressful times and find ways to do our best to make sure our patients leave their appointments happy and informed.

ME: Northwell has a great team atmosphere where I feel supported by the doctors and my team members. We each bring something different to the table and all come together to provide the best patient care.

NB: As Northwell team members we have opportunities to gain experience, information and knowledge by taking on different roles. I also love the diversity and culture that we are exposed to.

What do you think about when you hear “Medical Assistants Recognition Week?”

CD: I think about the love and appreciation the medical assistant team members will be shown for our dedication and hard work toward our patients and their needs. I see it as a week where we will be recognized for all that we do and a great way for others to learn more about the position and what we do on a daily basis.

ME: I’m extremely excited about Medical Assistants Recognition Week. It fills me with pride to know that I work with an organization and team that shows appreciation for my hard work. I feel a sense of pride and belonging, which further ignites my drive to bring my best every day!

NB: Medical Assistants Recognition Week is a time for appreciating the efforts and hard work a team member has contributed to their role for their team, patient and site. The week is about how their dedication and zeal affected a patient, team member, workflow, or environment in a positive way. The week also makes me think about the hard work that doesn’t go unnoticed. It makes us feel heard, seen and valued. Everything that we do when we go above and beyond overall seems worth it; though we don’t necessarily do it to be recognized, but we do it because we want to and we love what we do.­

Northwell offers a variety of medical assistant opportunities across our health system. Discover a career well cared for as a medical assistant today.