Medical Assistant Duties Vary Greatly By Practice And Specialty

Medical assistant duties vary by the type of practice you choose to work in. Generally medical assistants perform both clinical and administrative tasks within a physician office to ensure it runs smoothly. The medical assistant duties also vary by where you work. If you work in a smaller office, you may be asked to take on both types of duties while those who work in a larger office will perform only one function.

All will interact with others on a regular basis while handling multiple responsibilities at one time. Evening and weekends may be required and you may be able to choose a part time schedule if this better meets your needs.

Clinical Duties

Clinical medical assistant duties vary according to state law. The taking of patient histories, recording of vital signs and preparing a patient for a physical exam are three duties that fall under this category. Many medical assistants are also asked to explain a treatment procedure to a patient, assist a physician during an exam and collect and prepare lab specimens. Some may perform basic lab tests or sterilize medical instruments. The duties required of a clinical assistant are wide and varied and may involve many other things also.

Administrative Duties

Administrative medical assistant duties also vary widely by practice. Here you may be required to handle both the updating and filing of patient records as well as the filling out of insurance forms. Many assistants will handle hospital admission arrangements as well as those of laboratory services. Answering phones, handling correspondence, billing, bookkeeping, greeting patients and scheduling appointments may fall under your job description also.

Focusing On A Specialty

If you choose to work in a specialty field such as podiatry, optometry or ophthalmology, your medical assistant duties will increase. Those who choose to work as a ophthalmic medical assistant will assist with eye care ranging from conducting diagnostic tests to applying eye dressings. Optometry assistants perform similar tasks ranging from instructing patients on proper contact lens care to conducting preliminary tests with patients.

If you choose to specialize in podiatry, you may be asked to expose and/or develop x-rays, help during surgical procedures and make foot castings. As you can see, medical assistant duties vary by specialty and practice. Before you commit to a job in this field, inquire as to what your duties may be so you have no surprises.

Medical Assistant Skills Video – Starting A Shift

This is a great video showing first hand what it’s like to perform some of your duties as a medical assistant. Keep in mind that this is an example from a specific job and may vary depending on your situation. This specific video goes through the basics of starting your shift and focuses mostly on preparation. The vaccination section shows just how important organization is! Video is courtesy of Whatcomm Community College via Youtube.