A Day in the Life of a Medical Assistant*
As a Medical Assistant, you will have various duties (your duties may be governed by state law). Roughly 62% of medical assistants work in medical offices. In small practices, medical assistants fill multiple roles, including both administrative and clinical duties. They are largely responsible for ensuring the office flows smoothly. In larger settings, medical assistants are more likely to perform strictly clinical tasks.
Medical assistants commonly:
- Greet patients;
- Take medical histories;
- Take and record vital signs;
- Explain treatment procedures;
- Prepare patients for examination by the doctor;
- Collect and prepare lab specimens;
- Perform lab tests;
- Draw blood;
- Update medical records;
- Process insurance information and forms; and
- Sterilize equipment.
Medical assistants work in well-lighted, clean environments. Most work full-time, though part-time positions are available. As the first party meeting patients, medical assistants interact heavily with the public. They are often asked to multi-task, as well. As a result, medical assistants must have strong communication skills and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
Click to see your earnings potential** as a medical assistant in Northeast Ohio.
* Day in the Life information gathered from the Occupational Outlook Handbook, compiled by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, found at http://www.bls.gov/OCO/.
** Incomes provided by Salary.com represent industry averages. Actual income may vary by employer, experience and skill level.
|