Medical Assistant

What is the job of a medical office assistant?

Medical office assistants are responsible for a variety of duties, both administrative and clinical, depending on the size of the office they work for. These professionals make it easier for a nurse and doctor to do their job by preparing a patient ahead of time. The demand for skilled

medical assistants is currently on the rise as physicians’ offices can utilize these professionals to handle some of the clinical tasks so they are able to see more patients. There are formal medical assistant certificate programs and associate’s degrees available, which make these individuals more marketable to employers.

Are there different names or titles for medical assistants?

Medical assistants are oftentimes referred to as medical office assistants, certified medical assistants (CMAs), or registered medical assistants (RMAs). To earn a CMA credential, an individual must graduate from a degree or formal medical assistant training program and pass the certification exam offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants. To earn an RMA credential one must have either graduated from a degree or formal training program in medical assisting or have practiced in the profession for a minimum of five years, and pass the registration exam offered by the American Medical Technologists organization.

Oftentimes people confuse medical assistants with Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) and while some of the duties may overlap amongst the two; they are indeed distinctly different professions. CNAs typically work in the acute care hospital setting or long-term care facilities like nursing homes. These professionals, sometimes referred to as patient care techs, assist nurses and are typically licensed by the state. Medical assistants, on the other hand, typically work in physicians’ offices where they assist physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, or physician assistants. In most states medical assistants are not licensed.

Learn more about the medical assistant salary.

Medical technologists , also a completely separate profession from medical assistants, work in a lab setting, analyzing and processing specimens. Medical technologists are required to have at least a bachelor’s degree and pass a board exam in order to practice.

Clinical duties for a Medical Assistant can include:

Showing patients to a room and preparing them for exam
Taking a patient’s vital signs
Taking a patient’s medical history
Educating patients as to what a treatment or procedure will involve
Ensuring equipment and tools are arranged and ready for the doctor to use during their exam or procedure
Assisting the physician during an exam or procedure by handing them necessary tools and serving as an extra set of hands
Collecting lab specimens, which involve phlebotomy duties such as drawing blood
Prepping lab specimens
Running basic lab tests such as a urinalysis
Performing EKGs and respiratory testing
Preparing patients for x-rays
Developing x-rays (in some states)
Removing sutures and changing bandages
Administering medicine and vaccines as directed by physician
Maintain immunization and medication records
Educating and instructing patients on how to take their medication or how to follow a specific diet the doctor has recommended
Handling physician-directed drug refills by calling prescriptions in to the pharmacy
Cleaning and sterilizing instruments/equipment
Disposing of bioharzardous materials

Administrative Duties for a Medical Assistant include:

Greeting patients
Answering phones
Updating and filing medical records
Completing insurance forms
Scheduling surgeries, hospital admission, and lab services
Performing coding and billing duties
Performing bookkeeping and financial duties
Keeping waiting room areas in order
Serving as liaison in communicating between the patient and doctor
Documenting patient communication
Educating patients about their responsibilities pertaining to reimbursement by third parties
Ordering supplies and equipment
Performing maintenance of equipment