What Does a Clinical Medical Assistant Do?

A clinical medical assistant is an important member of a healthcare team. They perform a variety of tasks, from taking patient medical histories and recording vital signs, to scheduling appointments and assisting with minor office procedures.

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Job Description

A clinical medical assistant is a health care professional who is responsible for a variety of tasks in a hospital or medical office. This may include taking patient histories, performing lab tests and EKGs, administering injections, and assisting with minor surgery. Clinical Medical assistants may also be responsible for scheduling appointments, billing patients, and ordering medical supplies

Duties and Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities of a clinical medical assistant (CMA) may vary depending on the state in which they work and the size and type of facility in which they are employed. Generally, however, a CMA’s duties fall into three main categories: patient care, clerical work, and office administration.

Patient care duties may include taking medical histories, recording vital signs, preparing patients for examination, assisting the physician during the exam, and performing basic laboratory tests. In some states, CMAs may also be allowed to give injections and remove sutures.

Clerical work generally includes scheduling appointments, handling correspondence, maintaining medical records billing and coding insurance forms, and ordering supplies.

Office administration duties may include supervising medical office staff, handling personnel issues, overseeing the budget, and acting as a liaison between the physician and other health care professionals.

Skills and Qualifications

Clinical medical assistants work in outpatient care facilities like medical offices and clinics. They handle many of the same responsibilities as administrative medical assistants, but they also take on additional duties related to patient care. Their duties may include recording patient vital signs, preparing patients for examinations, handling minor medical procedures, and providing instruction to patients on treatment procedures.

Clinical medical assistants must have strong communication skills and be able to work well under pressure. They must be detail oriented and able to maintain accurate patient records. Most clinical medical assistants have at least a high school diploma and complete a formal training program. Some states require clinical medical assistants to be certified.

Education and Training

There are many ways to become a clinical medical assistant (CMA). Most CMAs have at least a high school diploma, although some have completed postsecondary education, and all must complete a brief period of on-the-job training. Many community colleges, technical schools, and vocational schools offer courses to prepare individuals for the job. Some of these programs last as little as one semester, but most last between 1 and 2 years and lead to a certificate or diploma. A few schools offer associate’s degrees in medical assisting, but these programs usually take 2 years to complete.

Salary and Job Outlook

In 2019, the median annual salary for medical assistants was $33,610, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The top 10 percent earned more than $48,720, while the bottom 10 percent earned less than $23,290.

The job outlook for medical assistants is very good. The BLS projects that employment of medical assistants will grow 23 percent from 2019 to 2029 – much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is due to the increasing demand for healthcare services as the population continues to age.

Certification

The clinical medical assistant certification (CMAC) is a voluntary credentialing program for medical assistants who wish to demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and abilities in the clinical medical assistant field. Certified clinical medical assistants have successfully completed an accredited training program and have passed a rigorous national exam. Clinical medical assistants work in a variety of healthcare settings, including physician offices, clinics, hospitals, and other outpatient facilities. In addition to performing administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments and handling insurance paperwork, clinical medical assistants also perform basic clinical tasks such as taking patient vital signs, administering injections, and assisting with minor surgical procedures.

What to Expect on the Job

As a clinical medical assistant, you will be responsible for a variety of tasks in a healthcare setting. You may work in a doctor’s office, clinic, or hospital, and your duties will vary depending on where you work. However, there are some common tasks that you can expect to perform as a clinical medical assistant.

Some of your responsibilities may include greeting patients, taking patient vital signs, updating patient Medical records scheduling appointments, and assisting the doctor or other healthcare professionals with procedures. You may also be responsible for giving patients instruction on medicines or treatments and answering any questions they may have. In some cases, you may even administer medication or injections.

As a clinical medical assistant, you will play an important role in the healthcare team. You will need to be able to multitask and work well under pressure. Excellent communication and customer service skills are also essential for this job. If you are interested in becoming a clinical medical assistant, you will need to complete an accredited medical assisting program and earn your certification.

Advancement Opportunities

In addition to the many responsibilities of a clinical medical assistant, there are also opportunities for advancement. As you gain experience, you may be promoted to a lead position or take on additional duties, such as training new employees. With further education and certification, you may even transition into a role as a nurse or physician assistant. No matter what path you take, a career as a clinical medical assistant can be both challenging and rewarding.

Clinical Medical Assistant vs. Medical Assistant

The title “medical assistant” can be applied to many different types of positions in the medical field. A clinical medical assistant is a type of medical assistant that works in a clinical setting, such as a doctor’s office, hospital, or clinic. Clinical medical assistants typically have more direct patient contact than other types of medical assistants. They may take medical histories and record vital signs, prepare patients for examination, assist the physician during the exam, and instruct patients on medication and post-treatment care.

Find a Clinical Medical Assistant Program

A Clinical Medical Assistant (CMA) is a medical professional who provides frontline care in a variety of healthcare settings. CMAs typically work in outpatient clinics, doctor’s offices, and hospitals. In some states, CMAs may also be certified to work in long-term care facilities.

The duties of a CMA vary depending on the specific healthcare setting in which they work. In general, however, CMAs are responsible for taking patient histories, performing basic lab tests, administering injections and vaccinations, and providing patient education. They may also assist physicians with exams and procedures.

If you’re interested in becoming a CMA, you will need to complete an accredited clinical medical assistant program. These programs typically take around 10 months to complete and include both classroom instruction and hands-on training. Upon successful completion of a CMA program, you will be eligible to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam.