Medical Assistant

Education Requirements:
High School Diploma
Graduate of an accredited Medical Assistant Program, Associates Degree in Medical Assisting Click here for more informationCertifications:
Medical Assistant Certification (AAMA, CMA)
Salary Range:
Average starting wage: $15.57 per hour
Educational Institutions:
Employment Outlook:
High Job Demand
Job Overview:
Medical Assistants (MAs) may work in a physician’s office, medical clinic, and some areas of a hospital or laboratory. MAs perform administrative and clinical tasks for doctors and other health care providers. They may do everything from filing records to helping examine patients. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by a physician.
Job Tasks:
- Prepare treatment rooms for patient examinations.
- Record patient’s medical history, vital statistics or other information such as test results in medical records.
- Interview patients to obtain medical information and measure their vital signs, weight and height.
- Direct patients to examination rooms and prepare them for the physician.
- Prepare and administer medications as directed by the physician.
- Authorize drug refills and provide prescription information to pharmacies.
- Collect blood, tissue or other laboratory specimens, log the specimens and prepare them for testing.
- Assist practitioners to perform medical procedures.
- Apply bandages, dressings or splints.
- Clean medical equipment.
Skills and Abilities Needed to Perform Job:
- Knowledge of use of Diagnostic and procedural coding software
- Knowledge of use of Microsoft programs (Word, Excel, Office and Outlook)
- Knowledge and use of data entry software
- Knowledge and use of electronic mail software (Microsoft)
- Knowledge and use of management software (IDX Systems Patient Chart Tracking)
- Knowledge and use of medical software (Epic, MEDITECH, GE Healthcare Centricity EMR, eClinicalWorks)
- Oral Comprehension – Ability to listen to and understand information presented through spoken words.
- Oral Expression – Ability to communicate information in speaking so that others will understand.
- Deductive Reasoning – Ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
- Problem Sensitivity – Ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
- Written Comprehension – Ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
- Speech Recognition –Ability to identify and understand the speech of another.
Desired Work Style Attributes:
- Attention to details
- Integrity – Honest and ethical
- Cooperation – Pleasant with others
- Concern for Others – Sensitive to needs of others
- Dependability – Reliable and responsible
- Stress Tolerance – Accepting criticism and dealing calming in stressful situations
- Self-Control – Maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check
- Analytical Thinking – Analyzing a variety of information to solve problems