What are three responsibilities of a medical assistant in the clinical patient care side?
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Medical assistants perform routine administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices and clinics of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors and optometrists running smoothly. Medical assisting is one of the nation’s fastest growing careers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Medical assistants have both administrative and clinical duties. They may answer the telephone, greet patients, fill out medical records and update them as needed, schedule appointments and handle correspondence and billing. On the clinical side, medical assistants often are the people who take medical histories, prepare patients for examination, assist the doctor during appointments and perform basic laboratory tests, along with other clinical responsibilities. What a medical assistant does will depend on the office where she or he works, state law and the needs of the assistant’s employer. Working ConditionsWhile medical assistants work in a variety of settings, most work in a clinic or doctor’s office. The medical assistant is a valuable member of a team that provides patient care. They need to be able to multi-task and prioritize their daily responsibilities. Work hours are usually Monday through Friday, although many clinics offer extended evening and weekend hours. Salary Range and OutlookThe average hourly wage for medical assistants is $14.69. Academic RequirementsMost employers prefer graduates of formal programs in medical assisting. Such programs are offered in vocational-technical high schools, post-secondary vocational schools, community and junior colleges and colleges and universities. Post-secondary programs usually last either one year, resulting in a certificate or diploma, or two years, resulting in an associate degree. The American Association of Medical Assistants’ website provides information about accredited training programs. The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs website includes a database of accredited programs by state. Learn More About a Career as a Medical Assistant
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Jennifer St. Arnold, Program Director Medical Assisting Program, Lake Superior College, reviewed this career profile. Medical assistants work alongside physicians, mainly in outpatient or ambulatory care facilities, such as medical offices and clinics. In Demand | Medical assisting is one of the nation's careers growing much faster than average for all occupations, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, attributing job growth to the following:
Job Responsibilities | Medical assistants are cross-trained to perform administrative and clinical duties, as evidenced by the Occupational Analysis of Medical Assistants. Here is a quick overview (duties vary from medical practice to medical practice depending on location, size, specialty, and state law): Clinical Duties (may include, but not limited to):
Administrative Duties (may include, but not limited to):
Patient Liaison | Medical assistants are instrumental in helping patients feel at ease in the physician’s office and often explain the physician's instructions. PCMH Team Member | Medical assistants are essential members of the patient-centered medical home team. According to a survey by the Healthcare Intelligence Network, medical assistants ranked as one of the top five professionals necessary to the PCMH team. CMA (AAMA)® Certification | Many employers of allied health personnel prefer, or even insist, that their medical assistants are CMA (AAMA) certified. The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) offers certification to graduates of medical assisting programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). What is a clinical responsibility of a medical assistant?Clinical Duties (may include, but not limited to): Taking medical histories. Explaining treatment procedures to patients. Preparing patients for examinations.
What is the most important role of the medical assistant in the clinical setting?One of your most important tasks as a medical assistant is keeping patient medical records current. You'll enter a patient's weight and blood pressure and their pre-exam interview responses into a computer database.
What are four closing duties of the clinical medical assistant?Opening and Closing the Office
Examples of closing duties include: turning off the lights, computer, and medical equipment; cleaning the rooms and/or waiting area; and locking all of the entrances.
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