Medical Assistants

The work

Core tasks

1. 01Interview patients to obtain medical information and measure their vital signs, weight, and height.
2. 02Clean and sterilize instruments and dispose of contaminated supplies.
3. 03Record patients' medical history, vital statistics, or information such as test results in medical records.
4. 04Explain treatment procedures, medications, diets, or physicians' instructions to patients.
5. 05Prepare treatment rooms for patient examinations, keeping the rooms neat and clean.
6. 06Collect blood, tissue, or other laboratory specimens, log the specimens, and prepare them for testing.
7. 07Show patients to examination rooms and prepare them for the physician.
8. 08Help physicians examine and treat patients, handing them instruments or materials or performing such tasks as giving injections or removing sutures.
9. 09Perform routine laboratory tests and sample analyses.
10. 10Greet and log in patients arriving at office or clinic.
11. 11Perform general office duties, such as answering telephones, taking dictation, or completing insurance forms.
12. 12Prepare and administer medications as directed by a physician.

Capabilities

Essential skills

Employment outlook

Where the role is heading