What You'll Do

  • Interview patients to obtain medical information and measure their vital signs, weight, and height.
  • Show patients to examination rooms and prepare them for the physician.
  • Record patients' medical history, vital statistics, or information such as test results in medical records.
  • Prepare and administer medications as directed by a physician.
  • Collect blood, tissue, or other laboratory specimens, log the specimens, and prepare them for testing.
  • Explain treatment procedures, medications, diets, or physicians' instructions to patients.
  • Help physicians examine and treat patients, handing them instruments or materials or performing such tasks as giving injections or removing sutures.
  • Authorize drug refills and provide prescription information to pharmacies.
  • Prepare treatment rooms for patient examinations, keeping the rooms neat and clean.
  • Clean and sterilize instruments and dispose of contaminated supplies.

Essential Skills

Social Perceptiveness 4.0/5
Active Listening 3.88/5
Speaking 3.88/5
Reading Comprehension 3.75/5
Critical Thinking 3.62/5
Monitoring 3.5/5
Coordination 3.5/5
Service Orientation 3.5/5
Writing 3.38/5
Active Learning 3.25/5
Learning Strategies 3.12/5
Instructing 3.12/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.
  • Helper: Supporting people and making a difference matters to you.
  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.

Common styles

Integrity, Attention to Detail, Dependability, Concern for Others, Adaptability/Flexibility

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Oral Comprehension 4.0/5
Written Comprehension 4.0/5
Oral Expression 4.0/5
Problem Sensitivity 3.88/5
Near Vision 3.88/5
Speech Recognition 3.88/5
Written Expression 3.75/5
Speech Clarity 3.75/5

Technologies & Tools

Appointment scheduling software Billing software Bookkeeping software Business software applications Data entry software Database software Diagnostic and procedural coding software eClinicalWorks EHR software Electronic medical record EMR software Email software Epic Systems GE Healthcare Centricity EMR Healthcare common procedure coding system HCPCS IDX Systems Patient Chart Tracking Intuit QuickBooks Medical condition coding software Medical procedure coding software MEDITECH software Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Integrity (High importance: 4.78/5)
  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.77/5)
  • Dependability (High importance: 4.7/5)
  • Concern for Others (High importance: 4.63/5)
  • Adaptability/Flexibility (High importance: 4.53/5)

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How to Become One

This career typically requires vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some specialized training or certification may also be required.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Autopsy Assistant Bilingual Medical Assistant Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) Chiropractic Assistant Chiropractor Assistant Client Services Coordinator Clinic Assistant Clinic Medical Assistant Clinical Medical Assistant Dermatology Medical Assistant Doctor Assistant Doctor's Assistant Family Medicine Medical Assistant Health Assistant Health Unit Clerk Hospital Clinic Assistant Medical Assistant (MA) Medical Office Worker Medical Support Assistant Medical Technician Assistant (Medical Tech Assistant) Ocular Care Aide Ophthalmic Aide Ophthalmic Assistant Ophthalmological Assistant Optometric Aide Optometric Assistant Optometrist Assistant Optometry Assistant Orthopedic Assistant Outpatient Surgery Assistant Pediatric Medical Assistant Physician's Aide Podiatric Aide Podiatric Assistant Podiatrist Assistant Primary Care Medical Assistant Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) Respiratory Therapist Assistant Urgent Care Medical Assistant