Medical Assistants

Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information 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.

Median Annual Wage: $29,960

Education: Post-secondary certificate (65%); Associate's degree (18%); High school diploma or equivalent (10%)

Projected Growth: Much faster than average (22% or higher)

Related Job Titles: Optometric Assistant; Optometric Technician; Certified Medical Assistant (CMA); Doctor's Assistant; Medical Office Assistant; Clinical Assistant; Ophthalmic Technician; Chiropractor Assistant; Medical Assistant (MA); Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)

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Source: O*NET OnLine information for Medical Assistants.

More Healthcare Support Careers

  • Prepare treatment rooms for patient examinations, keeping the rooms neat and clean.
  • Interview patients to obtain medical information and measure their vital signs, weight, and height.
  • Show patients to examination rooms and prepare them for the physician.
  • Prepare and administer medications as directed by a physician.
  • Collect blood, tissue, or other laboratory specimens, log the specimens, and prepare them for testing.
  • Authorize drug refills and provide prescription information to pharmacies.
  • Explain treatment procedures, medications, diets, or physicians' instructions to patients.
  • Clean and sterilize instruments and dispose of contaminated supplies.
  • Perform routine laboratory tests and sample analyses.
  • Perform general office duties, such as answering telephones, taking dictation, or completing insurance forms.
  • Greet and log in patients arriving at office or clinic.
  • Schedule appointments for patients.
  • Help physicians examine and treat patients, handing them instruments or materials or performing such tasks as giving injections or removing sutures.
  • Contact medical facilities or departments to schedule patients for tests or admission.
  • Inventory and order medical, lab, or office supplies or equipment.
  • Operate x-ray, electrocardiogram (EKG), or other equipment to administer routine diagnostic tests.
  • Change dressings on wounds.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Medical Assistants.

  • Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  • Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  • Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
  • Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Medical Assistants.

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