Medical Assistants

At a glance

  • Median Salary
    $33,722
  • Local Jobs
    1,147
  • Entry-Level Education
    Certification
Medical Assistants holding tools

Occupation Profile

Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by physician.

By the Numbers

Daily Tasks

  • Interview patients to obtain medical information and measure their vital signs, weight, and height.
  • Clean and sterilize instruments and dispose of contaminated supplies.
  • Record patients’ medical history, vital statistics, or information such as test results in medical records.
  • Explain treatment procedures, medications, diets, or physicians’ instructions to patients.
  • Collect blood, tissue, or other laboratory specimens, log the specimens, and prepare them for testing.
  • Prepare treatment rooms for patient examinations, keeping the rooms neat and clean.
  • Show patients to examination rooms and prepare them for the physician.
  • Help physicians examine and treat patients, handing them instruments or materials or performing such tasks as giving injections or removing sutures.
  • Perform routine laboratory tests and sample analyses.
  • Greet and log in patients arriving at office or clinic.
  • Perform general office duties, such as answering telephones, taking dictation, or completing insurance forms.
  • Prepare and administer medications as directed by a physician.
  • Authorize drug refills and provide prescription information to pharmacies.
  • Change dressings on wounds.
  • Schedule appointments for patients.
  • Inventory and order medical, lab, or office supplies or equipment.
  • Contact medical facilities or departments to schedule patients for tests or admission.
  • Operate x-ray, electrocardiogram (EKG), or other equipment to administer routine diagnostic tests.
  • Set up medical laboratory equipment.

Occupational Skills

What skills are necessary for a Medical Assistants career?

Hard Skills

  • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
  • Electrocardiography
  • Electronic Medical Record
  • Intravenous Therapy
  • Medical Assistance
  • Medical Records
  • Nursing
  • Patient Preparation
  • Phlebotomy
  • Vital Signs

Soft Skills

  • Clerical Works
  • Communications
  • Computer Literacy
  • Customer Service
  • Multilingualism
  • Multitasking
  • Quality Control
  • Scheduling
  • Verbal Communication Skills
  • Writing

Hard skills are specific, learnable, measurable, often industry- or occupation-specific abilities related to a position.

Soft skills can be self-taught and usually do not necessitate a certain completed level of education. They are essential in many industries and occupations.

Educational Programs

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  • Learn more aboutMedical Assistants

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