Medical Assistant (Online & In-Person)

Medical Assistant Overview

Medical Assistants perform routine administrative and clinical tasks designed to keep medical offices running smoothly.

The duties of a Medical Assistant vary from office to office, depending on the location and size of the medical practice and the practitioner’s specialty. In small practices, medical assistants are seen as “generalists,” handling both administrative and clinical duties concurrently, reporting directly to an office manager, physician, or other healthcare practitioner. Those in larger practices tend to specialize in just one area, usually clinical, under the supervision of department administrations (head nurse, office manager, lead physician, etc.).

Medical Assistants are trained to perform administrative duties that include: answering telephone, greeting patients, updating and filing patient medical records, filling out insurance forms, handling correspondence, scheduling appointments, arranging for hospital admission and laboratory services and handling billing and bookkeeping.

Clinically, a Medical Assistant’s duties vary according to state law and regulations. They can include: taking medical histories, recording vital signs, explaining treatment procedures, preparing patients for examinations and procedures, and assisting the physician during examination. They can also collect and prepare laboratory specimens, perform basic laboratory testing, dispose of contaminated supplies, and sterilize medical equipment. They can instruct patients about medications and special diets, prepare and administer medications as directed by physicians, authorize drug refills as directed, draw blood specimens, prepare patients for x rays and special examinations, take EKG’s, remove sutures and staples and change wound dressings.

Medical Assistants are also responsible for arranging and stocking medical examination rooms, maintaining supplies and equipment, and maintaining patient flow.