Medical assistants are vital members of the healthcare team who provide direct patient care and help doctors, nurses, and specialists do their jobs more effectively. Without them, physicians would not be able to focus as much on patient care.
As a Medical assistant, you will handle a wide variety of duties on both the clinical and administrative sides of the office. However, there is also a list of duties that you are not allowed to perform. In this guide, we go over the basics of becoming a Medical assistant.
What Is a Medical Assistant?
A medical assistant (MA) is a medical professional who is responsible for both the clinical and administrative duties in a medical office. They work closely with physicians and other medical staff to provide high-quality patient care.
MAs are multi-skilled and can perform a variety of tasks, from taking patient histories and vital signs to scheduling appointments and handling billing. They may also be responsible for giving injections, preparing patients for exams, and performing basic laboratory tests.
What Are the Duties of a Medical Assistant?
The duties of a medical assistant vary depending on the size and type of medical practice. In a small office, an MA may be responsible for a wide range of tasks, from scheduling appointments to taking patient histories. In a larger office, MAs may be responsible for more specific tasks, such as giving injections or preparing patients for exams.
As a medical professional, you can expect to be called upon to perform new tasks and procedures as the field of medicine evolves. In some states, your scope of practice may have already expanded to include testing patients for COVID and administering vaccines. However, even if these duties are not yet part of your regular responsibilities, you should be prepared to learn them in the future.
Here are some key things you can do:
- Assist patients with paperwork
- Order medical supplies and equipment
- Sterilize medical tools
- Help the physician perform medical exams and outpatient surgeries
- Collect specimens for lab tests
- Tend to wounds
What Can’t a Medical Assistant Do?
A medical assistant cannot perform any duties that require a licensed medical professional, such as prescribing medication or performing a certain type of medical procedure.
Specifically, you are not qualified to perform these duties and will need to defer to medical professionals who have the proper training.
- Diagnose patients and suggesting treatment
- Interpret test results
- Give patients medical advice
- Prescribe medication
- Perform invasive procedures
- Operate laser equipment
Medical Assistant Training
Medical assistants are among the fastest-growing professions in the United States. The annual salary range for medical assistants varies depending on their location, experience, and type of employer.
Medical assistants work in a variety of settings, including medical offices and clinics, hospitals, and other health care facilities.
What Are the Education Requirements for a Medical Assistant?
There are no specific education requirements for becoming a medical assistant. However, most employers prefer to hire MAs who have completed an accredited MA program. These programs typically take about one year to complete and award a certificate or diploma upon completion.
Conclusion
Medical assistants are important members of the healthcare team. They work closely with patients, doctors, and other healthcare providers to ensure that patient care is of the highest standard.
If you want to learn more about what it takes to be a medical assistant, Northwest Suburban College has you covered. We offer medical assistant training that will equip you with the right skills to practice healthcare. Get in touch with us today to get started.
