MEDICAL ASSISTANT
Job Summary
There are four basic categories of medical assistant duties—clerical, administrative, clinical, and specialist. Depending upon the medical practice, the same medical assistant may do one of these categories, or all four of them.
Reports To
The Practice Coordinator for business-related items, and to the medical practice physician(s) for clinically-related items.
Essential Functions
Clinical Medical Assistant Duties
Clinical Medical Assistant job duties involve working with patients in a clinical context, assisting physicians during procedures, and performing light medical procedures. Because of the responsibilities that come with medical practice, the clinical medical assistant duties are regulated differently from state to state. Medical assistants are always required to be supervised by a physician.
The basic duties of medical assistants include:
- Taking patient vital signs
- Taking medical histories
- Preparing patients for medical tests and examinations
- Assisting practitioners during examinations
- Explaining medical procedures to patients
- Sterilizing medical instruments
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- Removing sutures
- Administering topical, oral, or intramuscular medications
- Drawing blood (phlebotomy)
Administrative Medical Assistant Duties
Administrative medical assistant duties are less directly involved with patients, and more involved with the general running of the medical practice. Administrative medical assistants work with patients in the context of scheduling appointments and handling billing functions.
Some administrative medical assistant duties might include:
- Maintaining the confidentiality of patient information
- Managing inventory and ordering supplies
- Scheduling patient medical procedures
- Following up on patient visits
- Updating patient records
- Obtaining pre-authorizations/precertifications
- Checking the patient portal and responding to patients
- Ordering lab tests and imaging studies
- Managing petty cash
- Scheduling patient appointments
Clerical Medical Assistant Duties
Clerical medical assistants perform many of the same duties as administrative medical assistants, but with less emphasis on medical records and patient information. Clerical medical assistant duties focus more on the business aspects of running a medical practice. They are similar to administrative assistants in typical office settings, managing the day-to-day office activities that keep an office running smoothly.
Some clerical medical assistant duties might include:
- Answering phones
- Greeting patients
- Sorting mail
- Handling correspondence
- Filing
- Creating documents
- Performing computer data entry
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Specialist Medical Assistant Duties
The job duties of a specialist medical assistant are somewhat different from those of general medical assistants. These medical assistants work in a specialist clinic, such as an orthopedic practice, a surgery practice, a hematology/oncology practice, or a cardiology practice. A specialist medical assistant has in-depth knowledge of a particular medical field, and has job responsibilities that reflect their specialization.
Required Skills
Because medical assistant duties are so varied, a very flexible skill set is needed to perform them well. These skills and personality traits are recommended:
- Ability to multi-task various job duties
- Ability to handle different personalities and personal situations—both patient and coworkers
- Ability to understand the theories, reasons, and technical aspects of medicine
- A formal education from an accredited medical assistant school or medical assistant training program; certification preferred
Employee Statement of Understanding
I understand that this document is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. The statements in this document are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. I further understand that my signature does not indicate that I agree with the performance evaluation completed by my supervisor, only that the evaluation has been discussed with me.
