Medical Assistant Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

What is Medical assistant?

The healthcare industry employs more people than any other industry in America. This is not expected to change any time soon, which is good for people seeking careers in healthcare-related fields.

One kind of support position is called a Medical Assistant. They act as an extra set of hands for doctors and nurses and are important to the overall patient experience. They perform both clinical and administrative duties while getting an overview of the many different roles within the medical field.

Why should I become a Medical Assistant?

Medical assistants are in high demand around the country. The employment within the US is expected to increase 29% over the next 8 years. The generation referred to as the Baby Boomers will require more medical care as they continue to age. More people needing care means more healthcare employees will be needed.

Another reason for the uptick in demand is that more people currently have access to health insurance than in the past. Once again, more patients require more staff members to help treat. Medical assistants work in a variety of different medical settings, including hospitals, physician’s offices, and immediate care centers. Essentially, anywhere you receive medical care there are likely medical assistants helping doctors and nurses run the facility.

Duties of Medical Assistants

Administrative duties could include, answering telephones, scheduling appointments, filling out and updating medical records, and handling billing.

On the clinical side, medical assistants are often responsible for greeting and taking a patient’s medical history, preparing patients for examination, measuring vital signs such as blood pressure and temperature, and assisting the doctor during appointments.

The duties of medical assistants vary depending on the doctors and nurses under whom they work. Different medical offices have different needs. Some offices may need someone to handle mostly clerical tasks, whereas others may need a medical assistant to be more involved in helping with patient care. The beauty of being a medical assistant is that you will be prepared to handle the needs of any medical office.

In conclusion, now is a great time to pursue a career in medical assisting, and job prospects are expected to remain bright for years to come. There are sure to be changes in the technology used in the coming years and the challenges that come with them.

Our medical assistant training program prepares you for all certifications above mentioned. Check out our guide to medical assistant certifications to find the certification that is right for you.