Career Details :: Medical Assistants
Description
Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding 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.
Experience
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Education
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree.
Training
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers.
Tasks
- Prepares treatment rooms for examination of patients.
- Cleans and sterilizes instruments.
- Computes and mails monthly statements to patients and records transactions.
- Contacts medical facility or department to schedule patients for tests.
- Performs routine laboratory tests.
- Gives injections or treatments to patients.
- Receives payment for bills.
- Operates x-ray, electrocardiograph (EKG), and other equipment to administer routine diagnostic tests.
- Gives physiotherapy treatments, such as diathermy, galvanics, and hydrotherapy.
- Completes insurance forms.
- Lifts and turns patients.
- Inventories and orders medical supplies and materials.
- Hands instruments and materials to physician.
- Schedules appointments.
- Interviews patients, measures vital signs, weight, and height, and records information.
- Maintains medical records.
Related Careers
- Dental Assistants
- Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
- Nuclear Medicine Technologists
- Nursing Aides, Orderlies, and Attendants
- Radiation Therapists
- Registered Nurses
Important Abilities
General Work Activities
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Establishing & Maintaining Relationships
- Getting Information Needed to Do the Job
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Evaluating Information Against Standards
Important Skills
Frequent Work Context
- Consequence of Error
- Job-Required Social Interaction
- Importance of Being Sure All Is Done
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Responsible for Others' Health & Safety
Related Majors
| Major | Add to XapPack |
|---|---|
| Applied Health |  [ add ] |
| Health Care Leadership | [ add ] |
| Home Health Advance Practice | [ add ] |
| Medical Assistant | [ add ] |
| Medical Assisting | [ add ] |
| Medical Studies/Physician Assistant | [ add ] |
Institutions Offering Related Majors
No institutions found.