The Medical Assistant Job Description

Medical assistant job description varies from office to office. Generally, they assist physicians by handling basic clinical duties and performing administrative tasks.

Some medical assistants do laboratory tasks and they direct patient care as well. Some might also specialize in certain areas such as ophthalmology, optometry, and podiatry. They work in clean, well-lighted environments and they may be required to do several duties all at once. Additionally, they interact with other people on a constant basis. Most medical assistants work forty hours a week. However, some only work part time, on weekends, or at night.

Front Office

Some medical assistants handle duties at the front desk or at the reception area. They handle and answer internal and external phone calls and they also transfer the calls to the proper departments. Moreover, they schedule the patients’ appointments according to the physician’s schedule. In addition, they give registration forms to patients for them to fill out. Managing data entry tasks is also a part of the medical assistant job description.

Administrative Tasks

Medical assistants perform many different administrative duties. They handle the registration and filing of the patients’ medical records and documents and they update them regularly. Aside from that, they explain hospital admission procedures to patients and their family as well. They may have to perform accounting tasks such as maintaining financial records or bookkeeping. Other administrative duties include maintaining records of purchased medical supplies and equipment, instigating and maintaining correspondence with insurance companies and patients, and processing medical billing, medical insurance, and electronic claims.

Clinical Tasks

The clinical medical assistant job description consists of various duties that range from the most basic procedures to direct patient care. Their basic tasks include collecting and preparing laboratory samples and specimens, disposing contaminated supplies, and sterilizing medical instruments. Apart from that, they also record daily observations of the patients’ condition and they report them to the physician. Medical assistants record vital signs, prepare and assist patients for examinations, explain the treatment procedures to the patient and their family, and they help physicians conduct laboratory tests. They may also have to purchase and maintain medical supplies and equipment, arrange instruments and equipment in the examining room, and keep both the waiting and examining rooms clean.

Tasks That Need Physician’s Supervision

The medical assistant job description also covers certain tasks that need to be performed under the supervision of a physician. These tasks include performing basic laboratory examinations, taking electrocardiograms, instructing the patients and their family about special diets and medications, preparing and administering medications, removing sutures, changing dressings, drawing blood, and authorizing drug refills.

Other Duties

Medical assistants that specialize in specific areas have additional duties relating to the area that they specialize in. Ophthalmic medical assistants assist ophthalmologists in providing eye care. They perform duties like measuring and recording the patient’s vision, testing the patient’s eye muscle function, and they conduct diagnostic tests. They also apply eye dressings and instruct patients on inserting, removing, and caring for contact lenses. Optometric medical assistants also provide eye care and they share similar duties with ophthalmic medical assistants. Podiatric medical assistants assist podiatrists in surgery and they make castings of feet, plus they expose and develop x-rays.