What Does a Medical Assistant Do

The decision to become a Medical Assistant can be one of the most beneficial decisions a person can make in their lifetime. Training in this field can open up the doors to a world of possibilities, offering diverse career opportunities filled with both purpose and passion. No matter where Medical Assistants live, they are likely to find employment opportunities that will match their skills, qualifications, and interests.

For those just starting out on their journey to become a Medical Assistant, there may be questions about what exactly medical assistants do, what they can’t do, and what any job expectations may be. Knowing the answers to these questions can help interested candidates determine if a career in Medical Assisting is right for you.

Normal Job Responsibilities of Medical Assistants

Some of the tasks that Medical Assistants may perform can vary from state to state, and from facility to facility. However, there are many responsibilities that are common no matter the location.

Medical Assistants can:

• Escort patients to exam rooms, measure any vital signs, and record important information in to patient charts
• Work in many front office staff positions providing important services such as answering phones, filing paperwork, patient scheduling, and offering crucial communications between the medical facility and the patient.
• Performing routine medical tasks such as drawing blood through non-invasive procedures, removing sutures, changing dressings, and administering medications while under supervision. They also provide basic instructions on routine medical care such as dietary issues, medication needs, and other daily health needs pertaining to an individual’s specific circumstances.
• Prepare and stock exam rooms with necessary equipment and supplies
• Maintain logs and checks for office equipment
• Hold a variety of titles based on training, including but not limited to: Medical Office Assistant, EKG Technicians, Phlebotomy Technicians, Insurance Claims Processors, Office Managers, and others.
• Perform any duties specifically delegated by a supervising physician that do not require the use of medical judgment

Medical Assistants can work within a wide range of medical facilities. Some of these locations include, but are not limited to: medical clinics, private doctor’s offices, urgent care facilities, assisted living facilities and nursing homes, and both public and private hospitals.

The Job Limitations for Medical Assistants

There are a few specific job restrictions that all Medical Assistants must follow while performing their day-to-day tasks. Medical Assistants cannot:

• Diagnose or treat illnesses or ailments
• Perform Arterial punctures
• Prescribe medicines
• Perform invasive procedures
• Interpret a patient’s test results

The most important thing to remember is that Medical Assistants often hold the unique responsibility of helping to build a relationship between a medical care provider and its patients. They are commonly the first faces that patients seeking medical care will encounter, often providing that listening ear that will help patients feel safe and able to trust the doctors and specialists who are caring for them.

Medical Assistants fill an extremely important role in the day-to-day work that happens in medical facilities all over the nation. Their roles and responsibilities are key elements in an overall medical experience that bonds physicians and specialists with their patients every day.

To learn more about becoming a Clinical Medical Assistant through Athena Career Academy, visit the list of programs offered at www.athenacareers.edu , or call 419-329-4075 for more information.