The 3 Different Types of Medical Assistant
There are several types of medical assistants, including administrative medical assistants, clinical medical assistants, specialized medical assistants, and others. Here we discuss the roles of the three main types of Medical Assistants.
Administrative Medical Assistants
Administrative Medical Assistants are responsible for managing the administrative tasks in medical offices, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. Their duties may include answering phones, scheduling appointments, managing patient records, maintaining and organizing files, handling billing and insurance claims, and managing the flow of patients through the facility.
In addition to administrative duties, medical assistants may also handle basic clinical tasks such as taking vital signs, drawing blood, and preparing patients for examinations. However, the extent of their clinical responsibilities varies depending on the state laws, type of facility, and the physician’s preference.
Administrative medical assistants need to have excellent communication skills and the ability to multitask, as they may be responsible for managing multiple tasks at once. They should also be familiar with medical terminology and have a good understanding of medical billing and coding. A good administrative medical assistant is detail-oriented, organized, and able to work well under pressure.
Overall, administrative medical assistants play an important role in healthcare organizations by ensuring that the administrative tasks are handled efficiently, allowing healthcare providers to focus on providing quality patient care.
Clinical Medical Assistants
Clinical medical assistants work directly with patients, and their responsibilities include both administrative tasks and hands-on clinical duties. Their main role is to support physicians and other healthcare professionals in delivering patient care. Some common tasks of clinical medical assistants include:
Preparing patients for exams
Clinical medical assistants take patients’ vital signs, such as blood pressure, temperature, and heart rate, and record the information in the patients’ medical charts. They also help patients get ready for exams and assist with procedures, such as electrocardiograms (EKGs).
Assisting physicians during exams
Clinical medical assistants assist physicians during exams, such as by handing them instruments, preparing and administering medications, and taking notes.
Collecting lab specimens
Clinical medical assistants may be responsible for collecting and processing laboratory specimens, such as blood, urine, or tissue samples.
Sterilizing instruments
They also ensure that all medical instruments are properly sterilized and ready for use.
Educating patients
Clinical medical assistants may educate patients on medical procedures, medications, and post-treatment care.
In addition to these clinical duties, clinical medical assistants may also be responsible for administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments, managing patient records, and handling billing and insurance. They often work in hospitals, clinics, and other medical facilities.
Specialized Medical Assistants
Specialized medical assistants have additional training and expertise in a particular area of medicine. There are various specialties that a medical assistant can pursue, including:
- Podiatry Medical Assistants: They work alongside podiatrists to provide patient care, including assisting with minor surgical procedures, taking patient histories, and performing basic medical tests.
- Ophthalmology Medical Assistants: They work with ophthalmologists and help with eye care procedures such as eye exams, taking eye measurements, and fitting contact lenses.
- Chiropractic Medical Assistants: They work with chiropractors and assist in preparing patients for chiropractic treatments, performing basic medical tests, and providing general support in the office.
- Oncology Medical Assistants: They work with oncologists and provide assistance with chemotherapy and radiation treatments, managing medical supplies, and tracking patient progress.
- Cardiology Medical Assistants: They work with cardiologists and assist with patient care related to heart conditions, including taking vital signs, performing electrocardiograms (EKGs), and preparing patients for stress tests.
Specialized medical assistants often require additional training or certification beyond the basic requirements for medical assistants. This allows them to have a deeper understanding of a particular medical specialty and provide more focused and specialized care to patients.