A medical assistant handles administrative and clinical tasks in hospitals and other healthcare settings. In a small clinic, a medical assistant may do everything from answering telephones to changing wound dressings, whereas in a hospital, a medical assistant may take care of clerical work such as scheduling procedures and coordinating billing.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Recording patient information;
• Measuring and recording vital signs;
• Helping with examinations;
• Dispensing medications or giving injections (as permitted by state law);
• Scheduling appointments;
• Preparing samples;
• Assisting patients in filling out paperwork;
• Performing administrative tasks, such as scheduling and billing; and
• Updating medical records.

Qualifications

• High school diploma;
• Certified Medical Assistant certification preferred;
• Strong communication skills;
• Computer literacy;
• Excellent organizational skills.