Medical assistant duties can be performed by people of all ages and geographical locations. The daily responsibilities of a medical assistant are ideal for an ambitious person who enjoys helping ensure people have a comfortable doctor or hospital visit.
What Do Medical Assistants Do?
The first and most important step is getting patients processed correctly. This entails getting the patient’s entire history. Some patients may be nervous, so medical assisting calls for exceptional people skills. There will be times when the assistant has to explain unappealing treatment procedures. Some procedures may be painful, so the medical assistant needs to show empathy or maybe even a sense of humor to help the patient relax. Preparing patients for the examination in this manner is a vital part of the procedure.
Most medical assistants need to know how to assist the physician during the patient exam. Medical assistant duties even extend to collecting and preparing patient laboratory specimens and drawing blood (phlebotomy) and performing X-rays.
Furthermore, performing basic laboratory tests are a part of medical assistant tasks.
Once the patient sees the physician or undergoes any type of medical procedure, he or she may have additional instructions to follow for a full recovery. Medical assistant duties include explaining how the patient administers his or her medications.
The medical assistant may also be required to explain to a patient their dietary needs.
An individual pursuing a medical assistant occupation must understand pharmaceuticals and be skilled at drawing blood.
Furthermore, their skills must incorporate knowing how to execute electrocardiograms (EKGs). There are also times when the medical assistant’s duties will include extracting sutures and changing bandages. Though some may find these things daunting, with the right training, medical assistant careers are achievable and rewarding. Medical assistant duties also demand diverse administrative tasks and the ability to multi-task these duties.
While meeting and greeting patients, the medical assistant might be answering phones, scheduling patient appointments, or handling various types of medical billing or bookkeeping issues. Without knowledge of several computer applications, the assistant will not fully uphold the daily responsibilities of a medical assistant.
Daily Duties of a Medical Assistant
So, to recap a successful medical assistant must be able to:
- Navigate customer relations
- Operation of computer applications
- Answer phones/multi-task
- Bookkeep
- Schedule appointments
- Work with Physicians
- Prepare patients for exams
- Collect and prepare of patient’s lab specimens
- Draw blood (Phlebotomy)
- Explain pharmaceutical or dietary instructions
- Change patient bandages
- Remove sutures
- Perform electrocardiograms (EKG’s and X-Rays)
Medical Assistant Program at FVI School of Nursing and Technology
If you are interested in becoming a medical assistant and desire a thorough, hands-on education in nursing technology, contact FVI School of Nursing and Technology. Approved by Florida’s nursing boards, and fully accredited by the Council of Occupational Education, FVI can help you fulfill your goals and aspirations.
Since 2007 FVI has proven its ability to educate and produce highly skilled and competent medical assistants and office administrators. Upon completion of the Medical Assistant Training program in Florida, graduates will be fully qualified to perform the daily responsibilities of a medical assistant. Enroll in medical assistant school in Miramar, FL or medical assistant school in Miami, FL. Both programs are flexible and can be completed in just 9 months. Apply now or speak to one of our experts about other healthcare programs in Florida.
