Medical Assistant Job Description

Medical assistants are responsible for keeping the offices of health care providers operating smoothly, through the performance of administrative and routine clinical jobs. In smaller medical practices, assistants perform both clinical and administrative work, but in larger practices, the assistants often have specialized duties.

The administrative duties of a medical assistant include the greeting of patients, answering telephone calls, filing and updating records, filling insurance forms and taking care of billing. The clinical duties of a medical assistant can vary according to local law, but usually include taking vital signs, prep for exams and helping the health care practitioner during exams.

An applicant for a medical assistant position needs a minimum of a high school diploma, though most practices prefer applicants with a degree in some sort of medical assisting program, which are often offered through community colleges, vocational schools and technical/vocational high schools.

There are no licensing requirements to be a medical assistant, although some procedures, such as x-rays, require a certification. Employers prefer those who have passed some sort of national exam; and because they deal with patients on a daily basis, all medical assistants should be pleasant in disposition and neat in appearance.

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