MEDICAL ASSISTANTS perform routine administrative and clinical duties that keep medically-related offices and clinics properly functioning. Unlike physicians' assistants, medical assistants do not examine, diagnose or treat patients. Medical assiistants generally provide administrative and clinical duties and usually are supervised by an office manager, physician or other health practitioner. Medical assistants may answer telephones, greet and do patient intakes, record and update medical records, prepare insurance documents, general coorespondence, appointment scheduling, hospital admissions, billing and accounting services.
Some medical assistants may perform clinical duties (depending on State laws and regulations) which may include: taking medical histories, recording vital signs, explaining treamtent procedures, preparing patients for examination, and sometimes assisting physicians during examinations. Medical assistants may collect laboratory specimens, dispose of contaninated supplies, sterilize medical instruments and may even instruct patients about medication, special diets, prepare and administer medications as directed by a physician. Medical assistants may also authorize drug refills as directed, call-in prescriptions to pharmacies, draw blood, prepare patients for x-rays, take electrocardiograms, remove sutures and change dressings.
Medical assistant employment requires at least a high school diploma but for more technical aspects of the job, extra training and education are necessary. Medical assistants can expect to earn 20-32k per year.
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*Information provided by the US Department of Labor and the Bureau of Labor Statistics -- www.bls.gov
Medical Assistant