Medical Assisting

.

   

 Course Description:

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.