Medical Assisting

Occupational Description

Medical assisting is a multi-skilled allied health profession; practitioners work primarily in ambulatory settings such as medical offices and clinics. Medical assistants function as members of the health care delivery team and perform administrative and clinical procedures.

Job Description

Medical assistants work under the supervision of physicians in their offices or other medical settings. In accordance with respective state laws, they perform a broad range of administrative and clinical duties:
Administrative duties

Scheduling and receiving patients
Performing basic administrative skills
Handling telephone calls and writing correspondence
Serving as a liaison between the physician and other individuals
Managing practice finances

Clinical duties

Preparing and maintaining electronic medical records
Asepsis and infection control
Taking patient histories and vital signs
Performing first aid and CPR
Preparing patients for procedures
Assisting the physician with examinations and treatments
Collecting and processing specimens
Performing selected diagnostic tests
Preparing and administering medications as directed by the physician

Both administrative and clinical duties involve maintenance of equipment and supplies for the practice. A medical assistant who is sufficiently qualified by education and/or experience may be responsible for supervising personnel, developing and conducting public outreach programs to market the physician’s professional services, and participating in the negotiation of leases and of equipment and supply contracts.

Employment Characteristics

More medical assistants are employed by practicing physicians than any other type of allied health personnel. Medical assistants are usually employed in physicians’ offices and other ambulatory healthcare settings, where they perform a variety of administrative and clinical tasks to facilitate the work of the physician. The responsibilities of medical assistants vary, depending on whether they work in a clinic, hospital, large group practice, or small private office. With demand from more than 200,000 physicians, there are, and will probably continue to be, almost unlimited opportunities for formally educated medical assistants.

Educational Programs

Length. Programs grant an associates degree, certificate, or diploma.

Prerequisites. High school diploma or equivalent is usually required.

Curriculum. The curricula of accredited programs must ensure achievement of the Entry-Level Competencies for the Medical Assistant. The curriculum must include anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, medical law and ethics, psychology, communications (oral and written), medical assisting administrative procedures, and medical assisting clinical procedures. Programs must include an externship that provides practical experience in qualified physicians’ offices, accredited hospitals, or other health care facilities.

Certification/Registration

CMA (AAMA)
American Association of Medical Assistants
20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 1575
Chicago, IL 60606
Toll free: 800-228-2262
www.aama-ntl.org

RMA (AMT)
American Medical Technologists
10700 W. Higgins Road, Suite 150
Rosemont, IL 60018
847-823-5169
www.americanmedtech.org

NCMA (NCCT)
National Center for Competency Testing
7007 College Blvd., Suite 385
Overland Park, KS 66211
Toll Free: 800-875-4404
www.ncctinc.com

CCMA (NHA)
National Healthcareer Association
11161 Overbrook Road
Leawood, KS 66211
Toll free: 800-499-9092
www.nhanow.com

CMAC (AMCA)
American Medical Certification Association
194 Route 46 East
Fairfield, NJ 07044
Toll free: 888-960-2622
www.americanmedicalcertification.com

Commission on Accreditation

of Allied Health Education Programs

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