“What is a medical assistant?” It’s a straight-forward enough question to ask, but the answer is sometimes a bit more complex than one would expect. The wide range of responsibilities held by professionals in the medical assisting field can include any number of clinical or administrative tasks, and the facilities that employ them vary from traditional hospitals to patients’ homes (in the case of outpatient specialists). Nonetheless, in this article, we’ll attempt to answer the initial question by reviewing the standard duties performed by medical assistants.
Alright, So What Is A Medical Assistant?
In the most basic sense, a medical assistant is a professional who provides support to doctors and other health care providers. This support may come in the form of either clinical assistance or performing administrative duties, leading many to view the medical assistant as the health care industry’s “jack-of-all-trades”.
Regardless of the types of responsibilities that will eventually be held, to become a medical assistant a person must first complete an accredited training program (both on-campus and online medical assistant programs are available), and then pass a medical assistant certification exam. Although they are not a prerequisite in all states, many employers will only consider applicants who additionally hold a two-year medical assistant degree.
What Do Medical Assistants Do?
Depending on the type of facility that employs the medical assistant, and the person’s previous training or experience, the answers to “what is a medical assistant” and “what do medical assistants do?” tend to vary somewhat. In general, however, duties can be categorized as either clinical or administrative.
Clinical Responsibilities
A medical assistant who works in a clinical capacity usually spends a considerable amount of time with patients. Most states legally require the assistant to work under the direct supervision of a licensed physician, and prohibit them from performing certain duties.
With that said, it can be safely assumed that most medical assistants employed in a clinical capacity will have the following responsibilities:
- Monitoring vital signs
- Collecting tissue and fluid samples for testing
- Administering injections and other prescribed medications
- Preparing medical supplies and instruments
Administrative Responsibilities
For those in the medical assisting profession who prefer to work in an administrative position, there are plentiful opportunities in doctor’s offices, clinics and hospitals. Assistants who fill these roles usually hold some combination of the following responsibilities:
- Tracking patient billing
- Answering telephones and scheduling appointments
- Managing patients’ medical files
- Coordinating lab work
What Is A Medical Assistant? – Summing It Up
The confusion that sometimes stems from use of the title “medical assistant” is understandable in light of the different job descriptions outlined above. In sum, however, the question “what is a medical assistant?” is best answered “one of the most versatile, and valuable members of any health care facility”.
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