What Does a Medical Assistant Do in an OBGYN Office?

A medical assistant in an OBGYN office provides support to the physician in a variety of clinical tasks. These may include taking patient medical histories, scheduling appointments, and providing patient education.

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Job Description

A medical assistant in an OBGYN office provides support to the obstetrician/gynecologist and other staff members. Medical assistants typically perform a variety of tasks, including taking patient histories, scheduling appointments, billing and coding insurance forms, preparing patients for examinations, and assisting with minor office surgeries.

Duties

medical assistant in an OBGYN office is responsible for a wide range of duties. He or she may be responsible for scheduling appointments, handling patient inquiries, greeting patients, collecting patient medical histories and Insurance information, taking down messages, ordering office supplies and handling bills and collections. The medical assistant may also be responsible for drawing blood, performing EKGs, taking patient vital signs, giving injections and immunizations, assisting with minor surgeries and dressing wounds. In some cases, the medical assistant may also be responsible for handling the correspondence and keeping the records for the office.

Education and Training

To become a medical assistant, you will need to earn your high school diploma or equivalent. After that, you can enroll in a postsecondary medical assisting program. These programs typically last about one year and award a certificate or diploma upon completion. Some community colleges offer two-year associate’s degree programs in medical assisting.

While in school, you will take courses that cover both clinical and administrative tasks. Your clinical coursework will provide you with the opportunity to learn basic patient care skills, such as taking vital signs and performing blood draws. You will also likely take courses in medical ethics and law, which will be important when you begin working with patients.

Salary and Job Outlook

In 2016, the median salary for Medical Assistants was $33,610 per year, with the top 10 percent earning more than $47,880 annually. Employment of medical assistants is expected to grow by 29 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. The demand for health care services will increase as the population ages.

Certification

Medical assistants who want to work in an OBGYN office need to have certification in order to show that they have the knowledge and skills necessary to work in that particular specialty. The Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential is the most common certification for medical assistants, and many employers prefer to hire CMAs. To become a CMA, you must graduate from an accredited medical assistant program and pass a certification exam.

Skills

While the duties of a medical assistant can vary from office to office, there are certain skills that are essential for anyone working in an OBGYN office.

First and foremost, medical assistants in an OBGYN office need to be comfortable with handling sensitive and personal information. They will be responsible for maintaining patient confidentiality, as well as keeping accurate and up-to-date records. In addition, they will need to be able to effectively communicate with patients and providers.

OBGYN medical assistants also need to have strong clinical skills. They will be responsible for performing basic medical tasks, such as taking patient vital signs and performing urine tests. In some cases, they may also assist with minor surgeries or procedures.

Finally, OBGYN medical assistants need to be able to work well under pressure. They will need to be able to multitask and handle various tasks at once. They should also be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.

Working Conditions

Medical assistants who work in obstetrics and gynecology (OB-GYN) offices provide direct patient care services. They may work in solo physician practices, group practices, or clinics. Although their primary responsibilities center on providing direct patient care, they also may perform some administrative duties, such as scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records and handling billing and insurance paperwork. Most OB-GYN medical assistants work full time; however, some work part time, evenings, or weekends. Many OB-GYN practices are open during standard business hours; however, some offer evening or Saturday hours to accommodate their patients’ schedules.

Advancement Opportunities

OBGYN medical assistants may find that they have more opportunities for advancement than medical assistants in other physician’s offices. Many OBGYN offices are expanding their hours and services to meet the needs of their patients, and this often means hiring additional staff. With experience, an OBGYN medical assistant may be promoted to office manager or practice administrator. Those who are interested in patient care may pursue training to become a certified nurse midwife or a nurse practitioner.

Key Takeaways

There are numerous responsibilities that fall on the shoulders of a medical assistant working in an OBGYN office. These support staff members provide both clinical and administrative assistance to the physicians in the office. Some of their primary duties include:

-Taking patient histories and doing initial screenings
-Assisting with gynecological examinations
-Preparing patients for and helping with minor surgeries, such as biopsies
-Drawing blood and performing other laboratory tests
-Arranging for patient follow-up care and referrals to specialists
-Providing patient education on health maintenance, family planning, and other topics related to women’s health

FAQs

Q: What does a medical assistant do in an OBGYN office?
A: Medical assistants working in an OBGYN office may perform a variety of tasks, from clerical work to patient care. Some of the specific duties that a medical assistant may perform in an OBGYN office include scheduling appointments, handling patient calls, maintaining Medical records and assisting with patient examinations.