ABOUT MEDICAL ASSISTANT
Medical assistants are health care workers who perform the administrative and clinical tasks that keep the health care practitioner’s offices running smoothly.Medical assistant duties vary from office to office, depending on the location and size of the practice, and the practitioner’s specialty. In small practices, medical assistants are usually generalists handling both administrative and clinical duties, and reporting directly to an office manager, physician, or other health practitioner. Those in large practices tend to specialize in a particular area, under the supervision of department administrators.
Medical assistants perform many administrative duties, including answering telephones, greeting patients, updating and filing patients’ medical records, filling out insurance forms, handling correspondence, scheduling appointments, arranging for hospital admission and laboratory services, and handling billing and bookkeeping.
Clinical duties vary according to state law and include taking medical histories and recording vital signs, explaining treatment procedures to patients, preparing patients for examination, and assisting the physician during the examination. Medical assistants collect and prepare laboratory specimens or perform basic laboratory tests on the premises, dispose of contaminated supplies, and sterilize medical instruments. They instruct patients about medications and special diets; prepare and administer medications as directed by a physician; authorize drug refills as directed; telephone prescription to a pharmacy; draw blood; prepare patients for X-rays; take electrocardiograms; remove sutures; and change dressings. Last but not least they serve as direct link and communicator between patient, physician, and other health care professionals whenever there is a need.