What Can Medical Assistants Do (And What They Can’t)

Get the scoop on what Medical assistants can do, from patient care to administrative duties, as well as the training and certification required for the occupation.

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Job Description

Medical Assistants are multi-skilled health professionals specifically trained to work in outpatient medical facilities such as medical offices and clinics. They perform both clinical and administrative duties, including taking and recording patient medical histories, measuring vital signs, assisting with examinations, scheduling appointments and performing basic laboratory tests. In addition, they also may be responsible for tasks such as billing and coding insurance forms, ordering supplies and handling correspondence. Although the scope of their duties may vary depending on the size of the facility and the specific needs of the patients, medical assistants generally are responsible for carrying out a variety of administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians and other health practitioners running smoothly.

Duties

Medical assistants are vital members of the healthcare team. They perform both clinical and administrative duties, helping to keep the office running smoothly. Here are some of the things medical assistants can do:

-Take patient medical histories
-Record patients’ vital signs
-Prepare patients for examinations
-Collect and process laboratory specimens
-Assist physicians with patient examinations
-Perform basic laboratory tests
-Give patients injections

while there are many things medical assistants can do, there are also some things they cannot do. Here are some of the things medical assistants cannot do:

-Diagnose illnesses or prescribe treatments
-Order or interpret diagnostic tests
-Give advice about medications or treatments

Salary

One of the main questions that those considering a career in medical assisting ask is “how much can I expect to earn?” According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for medical assistants was $34,540 in 2017, with the top 10 percent earning more than $49,630.

Job Outlook

Medical assistants are in high demand because they perform both clerical and clinical tasks in doctors’ offices, clinics, hospitals and other healthcare facilities. As the baby boomers age and the demand for healthcare increases, the need for medical assistants will grow. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of medical assistants will increase by 29 percent from 2016 to 2026 — much faster than the average for all occupations.

Education and Training

Medical assistants are an important part of the healthcare team. They are multi-skilled and can perform both administrative and clinical tasks. Although their duties vary from state to state, there are certain tasks that they are not allowed to do.

To become a medical assistant you will need to complete an accredited program. These programs usually take between one and two years to complete and can be found at community colleges, technical schools, and some universities.

Certification

National certification through an accredited program is voluntary, but most employers prefer to hire certified medical assistants. Some states have certification programs, too. requirements vary by state, but generally include passing an exam. Although certification is not required, it may give job seekers a competitive advantage.

Additionally, some employers mayrequire certification as a condition of employment

Skills

There are many different roles that medical assistants can play in healthcare. MA’s are multi-skilled and can perform both administrative and clinical tasks. Here is a list of some of the skills that medical assistants typically have:

-Answering phones
-Scheduling appointments
-Updating patient records
-Taking medical histories
-Checking vital signs
-Preparing patients for examination
-Assisting the physician during examinations
-Giving injections
-Drawing blood
-Performing EKGs
-Administering medication

Work Schedule

The demand for medical assistants is expected to grow by 29% between 2016 and 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. An aging population and longer life expectancy will lead to a greater need for health care services. The work schedule for medical assistants varies by employer and specialty. Many work full time, but some work part time. About 1 in 4 worked more than 40 hours per week in 2016.

Pros and Cons

One of the primary responsibilities of medical assistants is to take patient medical histories and vital signs. They also explain treatments and procedures to patients, assist in removing stitches, applyIce packs, give injections, and take X-rays.

Medical assistants often work side by side with nurse practitioners, physicians, and other health care professionals. They might also be responsible for handling billing and coding, ordering supplies, scheduling appointments, handling correspondence, and maintaining medical records

While the responsibilities of medical assistants can vary depending on the state they work in and the size of the facility they work for, there are certain tasks that are generally considered outside of their scope of practice. These include diagnosing conditions, prescribing medications, performing surgery, reading X-rays or other diagnostic images, or providing patient counseling.

FAQs

Medical assistants are a vital part of the healthcare team, providing support to both medical providers and patients. They perform a variety of clinical and administrative tasks to keep the office running smoothly. But what exactly can medical assistants do?

Here are some frequently asked questions about the scope of medical assistant duties:

Can medical assistants give injections?
Some medical assistants are trained to give injections, but this is not always the case. In some states, only licensed healthcare providers can give injections. Check with your state’s regulations to see if medical assistants are allowed to give injections in your area.

Can medical assistants draw blood?
Again, this depends on the state regulations. In some states, drawing blood is considered an invasive procedure that can only be performed by licensed healthcare providers. In other states, however, medical assistants may be allowed to draw blood if they have received the proper training.

Can medical assistants prescribe medications?
No, medical assistants cannot prescribe medications. Prescribing medications is considered the practice of medicine, which can only be done by licensed physicians or other healthcare providers with prescribing authority.

Can medical assistants perform surgery?
No, medical assistants cannot perform surgery. Surgery is considered the practice of medicine and can only be done by licensed physicians or other healthcare providers with surgical authority.