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Medical Assistant Careers
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Medical assistants work with physicians, chiropractors, and other healthcare professionals, assisting them with both clinical and administrative duties. While they may have received some training in medical procedures, they generally do not diagnose illness or prescribe treatments.
The duties of a medical assistant depend on the training they have received, and the size of the doctor's office or clinic that employs them. The clinical duties they can perform can vary because of state health regulations, however they will typically take histories from patients, record vital signs, and perform other preparatory work prior to the patient seeing the doctor. They may assist the physician during the exam, and afterward explain and administer lab tests and medications.
Additional duties may include preparing patients for X Ray exams, administering electrocardiograms, changing wound dressings, and removing sutures. They may also sterilize instruments and prepare the examining room for patients.
Particularly in smaller offices, medical assistants may have a number of administrative duties, including filling out insurance claims, answering the telephone and making appointments, inventorying and purchasing supplies, and handling billing and bookkeeping duties.
Three fifths of medical assistants work in physicians' offices or clinics, while 15% work in hospitals, and the remainder in other health care facilities. Most work a standard 40 hour work week, although there are some part time positions available.
Medical Assisting Specialists
While most medical assistants in smaller practices are generalists, reporting to the physician or an office manager, in larger clinics and hospitals they may specialize in specific tasks or duties, and report to a department supervisor.
Other specialties may be required because of the nature of the practice. Eye doctors use ophthalmic medical assistants to conduct vision tests, apply dressings, and teach patients how to use contact lenses. Podiatric medical assistants take X rays, make foot castings, and assist podiatrists in surgery.
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