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.

Basic Skills

• Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• 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.
• Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

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Task

• Record patients' medical history, vital statistics, or information such as test results in medical records.
• 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.

Detailed Work Activities

• Administer basic health care or medical treatments.
• Apply bandages, dressings, or splints.
• Assess physical conditions of patients to aid in diagnosis or treatment.
• Assist practitioners to perform medical procedures.
• Clean medical equipment.
• Clean patient rooms or patient treatment rooms.
• Collect biological specimens from patients.
• Conduct diagnostic tests to determine patient health.
• Control prescription refills or authorizations.
• Dispose of biomedical waste in accordance with standards.
• Explain technical medical information to patients.
• Give medications or immunizations.
• Interview patients to gather medical information.
• Inventory medical supplies or equipment.
• Operate medical equipment.
• Perform clerical work in medical settings.
• Prepare medical instruments or equipment for use.
• Prepare patient treatment areas for use.
• Process medical billing information.
• Record vital statistics or other health information.
• Schedule patient procedures or appointments.