Medical Assistant Career Description

Medical Assistant Job Profile And Description

A medical assistant is someone who works in a healthcare facility like a hospital, clinic or nursing home and helps the doctor with different kinds of administrative and medical tasks. He can help him directly examine the patient or do basic tasks like take the vital signs of patients, collect diagnostic specimens for tests, take appointments, conduct X-rays, do stitches, apply medicine, put bandages and enter the medical history of the patient in the facility’s database. They work under the supervision of doctors and also get trained in performing the administrative duties. They should have good communication and organisational skills and know the various laws, policies, rules and regulations set by the government and must also maintain confidentiality.

Medical Assistant Duties And Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities of a medical assistant will involve:

• Answer any queries the patients have about the doctors, the healthcare facility and its services
• Handle the records of the patients and put in their information in the computer or files
• Do tasks related to billing and insurance
• Help the doctor by doing basic treatment procedures, take vitals of the patients etc

Medical Assistant Skills And Specifications

The skills and specifications that are required of a medical assistant include:

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Should be patient, organised, systematic, calm and may have to work for long hours

Medical Assistant Education And Qualification

The education and qualification requirements for a medical assistant are as follows:

• A high school degree is necessary along with the basic computer skills
• There are many community colleges and online institutes which provide courses on medical assistant so that you can get certified after you clear the exams

Medical Assistant Salary

The salary of a medical assistant is about $25,000 to $30,000 a year depending on his work experience.