A medical assistant is a trained specialist who provides support at the doctor’s office or clinic. The job description may vary from office to office. In some states there are legal restrictions on what a medical assistant can do. In small offices, work may include a small portion of each task, and in larger offices, medical assistants often complete specialization in one of the support functions.
There are many certification programs and doctoral degrees in medical care available through colleges, private colleges or online. Certification is available from several certification authorities and may be important for the physician who hires. Before you decide to enroll in an assistant doctor's educational program, you need to understand the nature of your responsibilities. Here is a brief list of the most common responsibilities.
- Greetings and patient care. A doctor's assistant can greet the patient at the reception, show him or her to the examination room and take vital signs. The assistant can provide the patient with a dress, issue instructions for disbanding and leave. Vital signs are recorded on the patient's chart to see a doctor.
- Taking medical records. An experienced physician assistant may be asked to interview the patient and prepare a preliminary medical history. Often new patients are not followed by their medical records for several days or weeks.
- Help the doctor in the exams. In situations where the doctor needs another pair of hands, the medical assistant can intervene and provide support. This may include, for example, vaccination for a child or assistance in getting a weak patient on the examination table.
- Answers to phone numbers and patient planning. In a small office or in a very busy state, a medical assistant can be brought to the administrative role of managing phone calls and appointments. This role often requires more patient medical knowledge than examination assistance.
- Medical billing. Coding medical bills for an insurance company is in itself a profession, but many medical assistants in small offices perform this function. Prior approval by insurance companies may also require a phone call to an insurance company requiring permission for an exam or procedure — a task that may also require some conviction.
Opportunities for control. Medical assistants can work with non-medical staff, and often report to the office manager. In offices where the nursing staff works, usually the senior nurse is responsible for the supervision of the nurse and in many cases ensures the workflow. Medical responsibilities are assigned to medical staff, while office functions, such as billing and scheduling, are responsible for administrative staff, which is usually controlled by the office manager.
