Posted April 21st, 2020
By Kris Powers
Medical assistants perform clinical and clerical tasks in healthcare facilities. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the following as common tasks of a medical assistant:
- Record patient history and personal information
- Measure vital signs, such as blood pressure, pulse and temperature
- Help physicians with patient examinations
- Give patients injections or medications as directed by physicians and as permitted by state law
- Schedule patient appointments
- Prepare blood samples for laboratory tests
- Enter patient information into medical records
Medical assistants are employed within various healthcare facilities. The majority of medical assistants are working within physician offices, but they are also employed in hospitals, correctional facilities and schools.
Administrative medical assistants handle more of the clerical side of things. They schedule appointments and handle insurance forms and claims. Clinical medical assistants have more direct patient care. They are responsible for preparing lab orders, instructing patients about medications and special diets, changing dressings and preparing patients for x-rays.
Employers look for medical assistants to have a variety of skills. They want their medical assistants to have analytical skills as they must understand and follow medical charts and diagnoses as well as code a patient’s medical chart for billing. They must be detail oriented as their recording of patient information is used by the physician. They must have interpersonal skills as they work with patients on a daily basis. They will also interact with nurses and physicians. Another important skill they should possess is technical skills. They need to be able to correctly use clinical instruments to take vital signs, draw labs and give injections.
The career of medical assisting is expected to grow almost 23% from 2018 to 2028. With the aging baby boomer population, the need for more healthcare providers is growing exponentially. If you love working with people, healthcare and job security, check out a career in medical assisting with Ed4Career today!
Ed4Career offers many medical career options including the Clinical Medical Assistant program which includes Medical Terminology and Medical Office Assistant courses. Upon successful completion of our Clinical Medical Assistant course, students will be prepared for an entry-level position as a Clinical Medical Assistant in a health care center or doctor’s office and will be prepared to sit for the NHA national certification exam to become a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA).
