Medical assistants perform routine administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices and clinics of numerous health professionals running smoothly. 

Medical assistants should not be confused with Physician Assistants.  Physician Assistants have expanded duties and actually examine, diagnose and treat patients under direct supervision of a physician.

Duties vary from office to office and depends on office location, size and if a MA specializes or not.

In small offices, most Medical Assistants handle both administrative and clinical duties and are considered “generalists.”  Also, MA’s in small offices tend to report directly to a physician, health practitioner or office manager.

In larger offices, most Medical Assistants tend to specialize in a particular area.  Also, MA’s in large offices report to department administrators or other operations management.

Duties could vary by state.  Each medical assisting program at an accredited Medical Assisting school will be able to provide a list of duties a MA performs.

Some of the duties performed by MA’s:

Medical Assisting

	Taking medical histories
	Recording vital signs
	Explaining treatment procedures to patients
	Preparing patients for examination
	Assisting the physician during the examination
	Collect and prepare laboratory specimens
	Perform basic laboratory tests on the premises
	Dispose of contaminated supplies
	Sterilize medical instruments
	Instruct patients about medication and special diets
	Prepare and administer medications as directed by a physician
	Authorize drug refills as directed
	Telephone prescriptions to a pharmacy
	Draw blood
	Prepare patients for x-rays
	Take electrocardiograms
	Remove sutures
	Change dressings
	Arrange examining room instruments and equipment
	Purchase and maintain supplies and equipment
	Keep waiting and examining rooms neat and clean
	Allergy skin testing
	Processing insurance claims
	Operating a computerized patient management system
	Scheduling appointments
	Managing office emergencies
	Performing CPR and emergency first aid

 

 

	Medical Administrative Specialist
	Medical Records Administrator /Accounting Specialist

	Medical Transcriptionist
	Medical Insurance Billing and Claims
	Office Laboratory
	HIPAA Training Series

 

Prerequisites

	No prior experience needed can start in the Introductory Course
	If Experienced can start in the intermediate level.