Consider yourself a person of numerous talents who can execute multiple tasks at the same time? Are you able to stay organized, communicate well, and create personal connections with people? If yes, then a rewarding career as a medical assistant sounds like the right fit for you! If you don’t know much about the responsibilities of medical assistants, don’t worry we’ve outlined it all for you.

That said, if you’re interested in becoming a medical assistant, you should consider enrolling in FCC’s Medical Assisting Program. The program can be completed, and you can earn a diploma in as little as 10 months.

What is a Medical Assistant?

Medical assistants are multi-talented professionals who perform a number of responsibilities not only in a doctor’s office, but also in other healthcare institutions. Most physicians consider medical assistants critical partners that can increase the overall productivity of their offices.

Responsibilities of Medical Assistants

Medical assistants are responsible for executing standard clinical and administrative duties to ensure the management of a health practitioner’s office. The tasks performed by medical assistants usually depend on the size and location of the healthcare facility  as well as the physician’s area of expertise.

In most small practices, these professionals deal with both clinical and administrative tasks and report directly to either a supervisor or health practitioner. In a large practice, on the other hand, they typically specialize in a specific field and are normally supervised by a department administrator.

Below  are a few common responsibilities of a medical assistant:

CLINICAL DUTIES

These responsibilities are likely to vary from state to state;however, they usually include the following tasks:

• Get medical records and note vital signs.
• Give the details of treatment practices to patients.
• Get patients ready for check up.
• Assist the health practitioner during check-ups.
• Obtain and arrange laboratory samples.
• Explain medication and essential diets to patients.
• Change dressings and remove stitches.
• Set up examination room equipment and instruments.
• Keep check-up and waiting rooms clean and organized.

MANAGERIAL DUTIES

While working as a medical assistant, you may have to perform the following managerial tasks:

• Welcome patients.
• Respond to telephones and queries.
• Organize and update medical records of patients.
• Fill out medical and insurance forms.
• Manage correspondence.
• Arrange appointments.
• Schedule laboratory facilities and hospital admission.
• Deal with book-keeping and billing.

Working Atmosphere

As a medical assistant, you can expect to work in a clean and organized environment. You  will also have to maintain constant interaction with patients, physicians, and other healthcare staff. You can expect to serve as an office manager in the future as well. It is also possible to choose different managerial support careers, as furthering your education can allow you to make a career in other healthcare fields, including medical technology and nursing.

What About Career Outlook?

As a medical assistant, you may come across various employment opportunities. There has been a great surge in the number of clinics, healthcare providers, and group practices. This has directly increased the demand of support staff, especially flexible, talented, and efficient medical assistants. Do you feel ready to start a career in the exciting field of medical assisting where you will be performing multiple clinical and managerial duties all at once?