What Does a Medical Assistant Do?
Date: July 8, 2022
A Medical Assistant* performs various duties to help doctors, nurses, and patients. The role is often a hybrid, with the Medical Assistant performing part clerical tasks and part medical service. These professionals generally perform an array of duties, from answering phone calls and emailing patients to physically assisting a physician during patient care. Medical Assistants perform essential organizational tasks to facilitate and support front and back-office healthcare operations.
Medical Assistant Administrative Tasks
Knowing how to complete administrative tasks is just one part of this occupation. The administrative functions typically include:
- Greeting Patients
- Bookkeeping
- Scheduling Appointments
- Managing Electronic Medical Records
- Coordinating Hospital Admissions or Laboratory Services
- Completing and Submitting Medical Insurance forms
- Processing Patient Billing.1
The second part of the profession includes performing healthcare services. Tasks Medical Assistants typically perform in this category include:
- Taking Patients’ Vital Signs
- Obtaining Medical History
- Documentation in Health Records
- Drawing Blood
- Preparing Examination Rooms
- Educating Patients Regarding Medical Procedures
- Giving Injections.1
Variations of these tasks can also depend on where one works, office settings, company cultures, and individual personalities.
A Medical Assistant Must Communicate Effectively
Medical Assistants help both doctors and patients. Medical Assistants must communicate effectively to ensure they perform their tasks to the best of their abilities. They should be compassionate and dependable in all functions, from handling finances to meeting the personal needs of patients, such as reassuring patients during their procedures.
Organization is Crucial For a Medical Assistant
Medical Assistants are responsible for multiple tasks, so they must be able to organize their day effectively. Medical Assistants train to develop organizational skills and understand task processes that enable them to address multiple administrative and clinical tasks successfully. Today’s Medical Assistant plays an essential role within healthcare offices.
Ready to Start Your Medical Assistant Education?
If you’re considering a career as a Medical Assistant, a future education at Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts could be an excellent option for you! Contact us to learn more about our Medical Assistant program and how you can start the application process.~
*Medical Assistants should not be confused with physician assistants, who examine, diagnose, and treat patients under a physician’s supervision.2
Citations:
1^a, b n.d. “Medical Assistant Salary in the US” Indeed.com. (Accessed May 20, 2021.)
2 Medical Assistants. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor. (Accessed May 19, 2021.)
