Medical Assistant Program
What is a Medical Assistant?
A medical assistant is a multi-skilled health professional who performs a variety of clinical and administrative duties in a medical setting. Medical assistants are the only allied health professionals specifically trained to work in ambulatory settings such as physicians offices, clinics and group practices.
Administrative duties may include answering telephones, greeting patients, updating and filing patient medical records, completing insurance forms, handling correspondence, scheduling appointments, arranging hospital admission and laboratory services, and handling billing and bookkeeping. Clinical duties may include taking medical histories and recording vital signs, explaining treatment procedures to patients, preparing patients for examination, and assisting the physician during the examinations. Medical assistants collect and prepare laboratory specimens, perform basic laboratory tests and sterilize medical instruments. They instruct patients about medication and special diets, prepare and administer medications as directed by a physician, authorize drug refills as directed, telephone prescriptions to a pharmacy, draw blood, prepare patients for x-rays, take electrocardiograms, remove sutures, and change dressings. Medical assistants may also arrange surgical instruments and assist with minor surgical procedures.
For more information:
- Jennifer DeCaro, MPH, BS, and CMA, Faculty/Nursing/Allied Health