Express Care is now seeing patients at its location within the new Austin Hy-Vee, adjacent to the Hy-Vee Pharmacy.

The clinic, one of about about a dozen operated by Mayo Clinic Health System, has three exam rooms, a waiting area and lab area.

Austin Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors held a ribbon-cutting on Wednesday and were able to tour the offices.

Tricia Dahl, operations administrator for Mayo Clinic Health System, said the “first of the [Express Care] innovations opened about 10 years in Albert Lea,” and since then, access to medical care has expanded in the region at a lower cost. She also thanked Hy-Vee, which helped form “a great partnership” that provides quality care.

Patrons enter a small waiting room and can choose from a menu board the services — listed with prices — that they are seeking. The clinic offers non-emergency services for patients ages 18 months to 75 years old, and provides treatment for conditions like sore throats, sinus infections, colds, flu and minor cuts.

It also provides vaccines. Patients fill out forms, and insert them into a slot, where medical staff find them and then usher the patient into an examination room. Patients are seen in the order they arrive, so no appointment is necessary.

The clinic is staffed by nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Operations Manager Rita Moyer said providers work on 12-hour shifts; right now, one provider is in place on each shift, but there are five that can rotate into service at the clinic, and more will be on duty as demand increases.

Hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday; and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.