Medical Assistants :: Job Description

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Medical Assistants

Careers / Medical Assistants

Summary Description


	Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by physician.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Autopsy Assistant

2.	Certified Coding Specialist

3.	Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)

4.	Certified Phlebotomy Technician

5.	Certified Professional Coder (CPC)

6.	Chiropractor Assistant

7.	Clinic Assistant

8.	Clinical Assistant

9.	Clinical Office Technician

10.	Doctor Assistant

11.	Doctor's Assistant

12.	Eye Technician

13.	Health Information Coder

14.	Health Services Information Specialist

15.	Health Unit Clerk

16.	Hemodialysis Patient Care Specialist

17.	Hospital Clinic Assistant

18.	Medical Assistant (MA)

19.	Medical Billing Coder

20.	Medical Billing Specialist

21.	Medical Insurance Coding Specialist

22.	Medical Office Assistant

23.	Medical Office Technician

24.	Medical Office Worker

25.	Medical Technician Assistant (Medical Tech Assistant)

26.	Morgue Attendant

27.	Morgue Technician

28.	Ocular Care Aide

29.	Ophthalmic Aide

30.	Ophthalmic Technician

31.	Optometric Aide

32.	Optometric Assistant

33.	Optometric Technician

34.	Optometrist Assistant

35.	Optometry Assistant

36.	Orthopedic Assistant

37.	Orthopedic Cast Specialist

38.	Physician's Aide

39.	Podiatric Aide

40.	Podiatric Assistant

41.	Podiatrist Assistant

42.	Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)

43.	Respiratory Therapist Assistant

44.	Sleep Technician

45.	Sterile Processing Technician

46.	Surgery Scheduler

47.	Vein Access Technician

48.	Visual Training Aide

Job Tasks

	Record patients' medical history, vital statistics, or information such as test results in medical records. Record vital statistics or other health information.

	Prepare treatment rooms for patient examinations, keeping the rooms neat and clean. Clean patient rooms or patient treatment rooms. Prepare patient treatment areas for use.

	Interview patients to obtain medical information and measure their vital signs, weight, and height. Interview patients to gather medical information. Assess physical conditions of patients to aid in diagnosis or treatment.

	Show patients to examination rooms and prepare them for the physician.

	Prepare and administer medications as directed by a physician. Give medications or immunizations.

	Collect blood, tissue, or other laboratory specimens, log the specimens, and prepare them for testing. Collect biological specimens from patients. Record vital statistics or other health information.

	Authorize drug refills and provide prescription information to pharmacies. Control prescription refills or authorizations.

	Explain treatment procedures, medications, diets, or physicians' instructions to patients. Explain technical medical information to patients.

	Clean and sterilize instruments and dispose of contaminated supplies. Dispose of biomedical waste in accordance with standards. Clean medical equipment.

	Perform routine laboratory tests and sample analyses. Conduct diagnostic tests to determine patient health.

	Perform general office duties, such as answering telephones, taking dictation, or completing insurance forms. Perform clerical work in medical settings. Process medical billing information.

	Greet and log in patients arriving at office or clinic.

	Schedule appointments for patients. Schedule patient procedures or appointments.

	Help physicians examine and treat patients, handing them instruments or materials or performing such tasks as giving injections or removing sutures. Give medications or immunizations. Administer basic health care or medical treatments. Assist practitioners to perform medical procedures.

	Contact medical facilities or departments to schedule patients for tests or admission. Schedule patient procedures or appointments.

	Inventory and order medical, lab, or office supplies or equipment. Inventory medical supplies or equipment.

	Operate x-ray, electrocardiogram (EKG), or other equipment to administer routine diagnostic tests. Operate medical equipment.

	Set up medical laboratory equipment. Prepare medical instruments or equipment for use.

	Change dressings on wounds. Apply bandages, dressings, or splints.

	Keep financial records or perform other bookkeeping duties, such as handling credit or collections or mailing monthly statements to patients. Process medical billing information.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment — Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.

Nature of the Work


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Medical Assistants
	Medical assistants complete administrative and clinical tasks in the offices of physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. Their duties vary with the location, specialty, and size of the practice.

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Working Conditions


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Medical Assistants
	Medical assistants held about 591,300 jobs in 2014. Most of these assistants work in physicians' offices, hospitals, outpatient clinics, and other healthcare facilities.

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