Medical Assistant Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a medical assistant. Feel free to use our job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a medical assistant.
Who is a Medical Assistant?
Medical assistants are healthcare professionals that assist doctors in clinics and offices. They may take your vital signs, check your height and weight, and lead you to the examination room. Before sending you to your doctor, medical assistants will ask about your symptoms and health concerns.
Medical assistants are the lifeblood of hospitals, doing administrative and clinical activities necessary to care for patients.
Despite their close collaboration with doctors, medical assistants are unable to provide medical advice to patients. Their responsibilities are limited to gathering data and preparing the doctor and patient for the medical appointment.
Medical Assistant Job description
Below are the medical assistant job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a job description for your employee. Employers can use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
Medical Assistant job descriptions include the following:
- Receive calls, direct, and schedule appointments schedule.
- Check-in patients
- Acquire relevant patient information to file and update patient records, and ensure patients complete all forms and consent.
- Check patients out, aid with referral processing, and makes laboratory arrangements.
- Organize the billing procedure
- Prepare patients for examinations, takes vital signs, and keep track of their medical history.
- Set up EKG devices, deliver injections and medications, and collect and test routine specimens.
- Prepare examination rooms and equipment.
- Assist the physician with medical operations, treatments, and exams.
- Keep track of medical supplies and makes sure exam rooms are well-stocked.
Medical Assistant Qualifications
- Completion of a recognized medical aid certification program is recommended; a high school diploma or GED is necessary.
- Outstanding interpersonal skills
- Ability to communicate clearly and efficiently with patients and other external parties at all times, while remaining courteous and kind.
- Must be meticulous and well-organized.
- Medical practices, administrative processes, and organizational policies are all well-understood.
- Patient-care and examination procedures knowledge
- At all times, must be able to maintain confidentiality.
Essential skills of a Medical Assistant
Medical assistants are multi-talented individuals who are tasked with everything from drawing blood to checking vital signs to handling patient data and scheduling appointments. You might work as a medical assistant mostly in the office, primarily in the clinic, or a combination of the two. As a result, a medical assistant’s abilities are quite diverse and extensive. The following are a few of the most popular abilities:
- Communication abilities must be excellent.
In order to grasp and accurately record patient difficulties and specifications, medical assistants must be active listeners. They must also be able to provide the patient with precise instructions and transmit information to other health care professionals interacting with the patient, both verbally and in writing. You’ll be the point of contact for a variety of people as a medical assistant, including doctors, patients, patients’ families, insurance companies, and other medical personnel. To give the greatest possible care, you’ll need to communicate openly with doctors both during and after patient treatments.
From the time they phone to schedule an appointment to the time you conduct a medical treatment, you’ll need to make patients feel welcome and at peace. Communication that is as clear as possible can help to guarantee that everyone has the best experience possible.
- Skills in organization and clerical work.
Most medical assistants are responsible for answering phones, scheduling appointments, and keeping care of patient files at the office. Being well-organized, as well as clerical abilities like typing and filing, are crucial. It’s critical to stay organized if you want to accomplish your job well. As a medical assistant, being organized is a primary priority.
You must stay organized not only for yourself but also for the doctor with whom you collaborate. Printing out schedules the day before to know what you need to accomplish is one approach to keep organized. Make sure your rooms are always supplied with stuff and that you don’t run out of anything.
- Time management
Time management is critical not only for your workflow but also for the success of your entire team. Getting behind on patient visits, for example, could cause scheduling conflicts later in the day. As a medical assistant, you’ll be responsible for a variety of activities, including patient scheduling, basic treatment, and record updating. As a result, you’ll need to set aside enough time for each.
The finest time management suggestion is to utilize a calendar. Due to escalating situations or a busy day, medical assistants may not be able to stick to a regular timetable. Medical assistants are advised to schedule time throughout the week to catch up on activities that cannot be accomplished during the weekend.
- Medical expertise
Medical assistants should have a strong understanding of medical terminology, anatomy, and basic procedures including blood drawing and wound treatment. It’s also possible that you’ll need to know how to give first aid and CPR.
Medical assistants usually do the following:
- Collecting laboratory specimens
- Dispense medication
- Take your vitals.
- Draw blood and provide vaccines
- Change the dressings on the wounds
- Assist doctors with exams.
- Safety and sanitation knowledge
Medical assistants must always be aware of their own and their patient’s safety. Understanding and adhering to safety and sanitary laws is crucial.
- Computer knowledge.
Working knowledge of computers is required for a variety of executive functions. One of the most important medical assistant skills is computer knowledge, especially now that many healthcare conventions use electronic health records (EHRs) (Electronic Health Records).
Because technology is inextricably linked to a medical assistant’s executive and clinical duties, it’s critical to be knowledgeable about the types of healthcare software. Clinically, you may be asked to do lab tests using technology.
It may be expected that Medical assistants do the following executive tasks:
- Use scheduling software to make patient movables.
- For virtual meetings, use videotape platforms.
- Spreadsheets and word processors can be used to keep track of patient information.
- Use medical billing and coding software to file insurance claims.
Because computer software is constantly evolving, being adaptable and willing to learn new systems is also an important element of this job.
- Skill in client service.
Cases are that patients choose their doctors based on the quality of treatment and service they admit. Cases must be handled with care and respect.
How to Become a Medical Assistant
Get A GED or A High School Diploma (Four Years)
The completion of high school or the earning of a GED is maybe the most essential step in this process. Scholars should concentrate on scientific and calculation courses that will help them prepare for a future as a CMA, similar to biology, chemistry, drugs, statistics, algebra, and related electives, at this time. Volunteering at a community clinic or hospital may also be salutary because it boosts a pupil’s chances of getting into the post-secondary academy and exposes them to the difficulties of working in a healthcare setting.
Internship to Help You Gain Experience As a Medical Adjunct.
In addition to coursework and laboratories, you will want to complete an externship or internship near the end of your medical aiding program. You will have the opportunity to apply what you have learned in class in a clinic, technical practice, or sanitarium during this period. Scholars work alongside trained medical assistants and are regularly assigned tasks such as taking blood from cases while being supervised.
This experience will not only provide you with numerous highlights for your CV, but it will also give you the confidence to go into job interviews prepared.
Obtain Certification
Although an instrument isn’t needed to work as a medical adjunct, numerous employers prefer it because it shows that you’re knowledgeable in your profession. You will have to pass a test covering a wide range of motifs relating to medical backing, any one of the certifications you achieve.
A CMA (Certified Medical Assistant) and an RMA (Registered Medical Assistant) have the same liabilities and can apply for the same positions. The most significant distinction is the educational and training conditions for each. Earning either certification can help you advance in your job and set you piecemeal from other campaigners. Still, the credentials do differ, and knowing how to tell the difference might help you figure out which is the topmost fit for your profession.
The eligibility conditions for each are one of the most significant dissonances. Earning a medical adjunct degree from an honored program is the most frequent way to come eligible for RMA or CMA qualifications. Still, there are many different paths to RMA delegation that can be used rather than a formal academy degree, similar to on-the-job experience and military medic training.
Make a List Of Your Capacities
After completing a medical aiding program, you will have access yourself to know what you’ve learned so far. You should have a good understanding of specific capabilities:
- Terminologies used in drug
- Form for cases
- How to Get the Most Out of Electronic Health Records (EHR) – How to Handle Executive Liabilities in the Healthcare Industry
These are hard skills to emphasize on your CV, but soft skills should not be overlooked. These skills or capabilities, also known as transferable skills, are bones that you may have had in the past but have meliorated during your academy years. The soft skills include:
Empathy- health problems can be shocking, and a little empathy can make your case feel a lot better.
Multi-tasking – Medical Assistants are needed to perform a variety of tasks in a short quantum of time. Keeping your mind and body active can make it easier to cross stuff off your to-do list.
Communication – Medical Assistants operate as part of a platoon of healthcare interpreters in an atmosphere where effective communication is essential for patient safety and installation effectiveness.
Submit Your Application And Attend An Interview
This is where it all comes together! It’s in your stylish interests to seek out, take action, and pursue the type of employment you ask, whatever your position of education. Continue going over your résumé, rehearsing interview responses, and honing your specialized abilities. If your job search is taking longer than you’d like, consider volunteering at a health care center to add more healthcare experience to your resume.
Applying to a variety of locations, such as conferences, specialist centers, and hospitals, is also a smart idea. Even if you have your heart set on a specific profession, be open to other possibilities. You might find that you appreciate the atmosphere more than you thought when you arrive for your interview.
Keep in mind that if you have a degree or credential, your school may be suitable to connect you with original alumni who can help you find employment or hook you up with the right person for an interview. Also, if you had a good time at your medical aiding internship, ask around to know whether the staffs are aware of any chances at their company or in their network.
Where to work
Hospitals
As their first career, many medical assistants choose to work at a hospital. In terms of the types of care provided, hospitals provide a wide range of options. They also provide tremendous opportunities for lifelong learning, as new scenarios happen on a daily basis. Medical assistants at hospitals have a close bond with their coworkers as well. The responsibility of assisting doctors and patients makes this a hard and fulfilling job, which is why so many medical assistants opt to work in hospitals for the rest of their careers.
Offices of chiropractors
Compared to hospitals and regular family practice settings, chiropractors’ offices provide a bit more specialization for medical assistants. A chiropractic medical assistant’s job entails less hands-on work and more administrative duties than many other MA jobs, options because chiropractors utilize less medical equipment and do not perform surgery or most other medical treatments. This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone who takes pleasure in their organizational abilities and before and after visits, enjoys talking to patients.
OB-GYNs
Working alongside an OB-GYN can be a gratifying experience for medical assistants who are particularly interested in women’s health. You should expect far more steady and regular work hours than an RN at a hospital, as with other sorts of MA jobs. However, OB-GYN medical assistants are on the front lines of patient care, collecting vitals, answering queries, maintaining records, and booking appointments, making this a demanding and detail-oriented position.
Clinics for children
Pediatric MAs, like all other types of medical assistants, have a lot of opportunities to progress in their careers. Starting as a pediatric medical assistant is a terrific way to obtain plenty of practical experience that can take you anywhere in your career if you’re interested in becoming any form of pediatrics expert. Working with children is obviously a plus, but pediatric MAs also require a few other abilities. They must be able to interact effectively with both children and their parents, as well as remain cool in congested waiting areas with rowdy children. Anyone who enjoys dealing with children and is interested in medicine will do well here.
Laboratories for diagnosis
A diagnostic laboratory may be an excellent alternative for you if you prefer less direct patient contact. Diagnostic clinics get specimen samples from clinics and hospitals for testing. As a medical assistant, you may be responsible for performing tests on samples, recording results, and handling data input. Working in a diagnostic laboratory might also entail a great deal of paperwork.
Universities and colleges
Some larger institutions have their own hospitals and clinics, which gives medical assistants another choice for work. The functions and responsibilities will be comparable to those of a typical hospital or clinic for the most part.
Centers for medical research
Another alternative is to pursue a job working with researchers who are attempting to increase medical understanding. Tasks could include everything from signing in study participants to assisting with test administration. MAs in this setting is in charge of aiding researchers, and they play an important part in the advancement of medicine.
Other responsibilities could include diagnostic specimen testing, labeling, and shipment. In a research institution, this type of labor usually has more predictable and normal hours.
Centers for outpatient care
Outpatient care centers, which fall between a clinic and a hospital, are medical offices that provide services and procedures that do not require overnight stays. These offices provide a variety of services, including minor surgery and lab testing.
You may take patient vital signs, assisting with X-rays, and conduct administrative tasks as a medical assistant in these facilities. While still busy, working at an outpatient care center is usually less stressful than working in a hospital because patients aren’t usually in life-threatening situations. Although shifts are usually more consistent, certain outpatient facilities are open on weekends and evenings.
Salary Scale
Salary Scale is dependent on the institution you work for and the country or region. In Nigeria for instance, salary may range from 56,095 – 164,049 NGN.
The typical annual incomes and hourly pay for medical assistants are provided below, with the lowest 10% receiving $26,930 per year or $12.95 per hour, and the highest 10% earning $50,580 per year, or $24.32 per hour, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
The pay scale for medical assistants varies depending on their location, the type of work they do, and their abilities and experience.
