Job Duties of A Medical Assistant
What Will My Duties Be As a Medical Assistant?
Medical assistants are healthcare professionals who work alongside physicians and other healthcare providers to perform administrative and clinical tasks. The duties of a medical assistant can vary depending on the healthcare setting they work in and the specific needs of their employer, but generally include both administrative and clinical tasks. In this article, we’ll explore some of the common duties of medical assistants in each of these areas.
Clinical Duties
These may encompass, but are not restricted to, the following tasks:
Obtaining medical histories from patients: Medical assistants may be responsible for taking patients’ medical histories, including information about past illnesses, allergies, medications, and surgeries.
Describing treatment procedures to patients
Preparing patients for examinations
Assisting physicians during examinations: Medical assistants may assist physicians and other healthcare providers during medical examinations, including by handing them instruments, positioning patients, and providing emotional support to patients.
Collecting and processing laboratory specimens
Conducting basic laboratory tests
Measuring vital signs: Medical assistants are often responsible for measuring patients’ vital signs, such as blood pressure, temperature, and pulse.
Educating patients about medication and specialized diets
Preparing and dispensing medication, including administering injections such as vaccinations/immunizations, as per instructions of a physician or licensed healthcare provider (such as a nurse practitioner or physician assistant
Facilitating prescription refills
Performing basic lab tests: Medical assistants may be responsible for performing basic lab tests, such as drawing blood, preparing urine samples, and conducting basic diagnostic tests.
Conducting phlebotomy
Conducting electrocardiograms
Managing wound care and changing dressings
Administrative Duties
These may encompass, but are not limited to, the following tasks:
- Utilizing computer applications
- Managing supplies: Medical assistants may be responsible for managing inventory and ordering supplies for the healthcare facility, such as medical equipment, bandages, and other medical supplies.
- Responding to telephone calls
- Greeting patients: Medical assistants are often the first point of contact for patients. They may greet patients, escort them to exam rooms, and gather initial information about their health status.
- Updating and maintaining patient medical records: Medical assistants may be responsible for updating patients’ medical records with their current health status, any medications they are taking, and any recent lab results.
- Scheduling appointments: Medical assistants may be responsible for scheduling appointments for patients, which can involve coordinating with other healthcare providers and handling scheduling conflicts.
- Coordinating hospital admissions and laboratory services
- Handling correspondence, billing, and bookkeeping.
- Handling insurance and billing: Medical assistants may be responsible for processing insurance claims and handling billing and payment processes.
What Else Will I Be Required to Do?
In addition to administrative and clinical duties, medical assistants may be responsible for a variety of other tasks. Here are some examples:
Patient Education: Medical assistants may be responsible for educating patients on medical procedures, medication administration, and health promotion.Medical Supply Management: Medical assistants may be responsible for managing medical supplies and equipment, including maintaining inventory, ordering supplies, and ensuring equipment is properly sterilized and maintained.
Office Management: Medical assistants may be responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of a medical office, including supervising staff, overseeing patient flow, and managing finances.
Quality Control: Medical assistants may be responsible for ensuring that medical services are provided in a safe, effective, and efficient manner, including monitoring and evaluating quality control measures.
Medical Research: Medical assistants may be involved in medical research projects, assisting with data collection, patient recruitment, and other research-related tasks.
Community Outreach: Medical assistants may be involved in community outreach activities, such as health fairs, health education programs, and other activities designed to promote health and wellness in the community.
The specific duties of a medical assistant can vary depending on the employer, work setting, and individual job responsibilities. However, medical assistants are often called upon to perform a wide range of tasks in order to support healthcare providers and ensure the efficient and effective delivery of healthcare services.