Medical Assistant
Quick Facts
Median Salary$42,139
Most Common EducationHigh school or GED
Projected 10-Year Growth+37.67%
Assessment MatchTake the Assessment
What They Do
A Medical Assistant assists physicians and other medical specialists with routine administrative or clinical tasks. Organizes patient records, schedules appointments, and prepares medical equipment. May specialize in administrative or clinical work, or specialize in a particular area of medicine, i.e. assisting in the office of an ophthalmologist (eye specialist). Works in medical offices.
Core Tasks:
- Interview patients to obtain medical information and measure their vital signs, weight, and height.
- Clean and sterilize instruments and dispose of contaminated supplies.
- Record patients' medical history, vital statistics, or information such as test results in medical records.
- Explain treatment procedures, medications, diets, or physicians' instructions to patients.
- Collect blood, tissue, or other laboratory specimens, log the specimens, and prepare them for testing.
- Prepare treatment rooms for patient examinations, keeping the rooms neat and clean.
- Show patients to examination rooms and prepare them for the physician.
- Help physicians examine and treat patients, handing them instruments or materials or performing such tasks as giving injections or removing sutures.
- Perform routine laboratory tests and sample analyses.
- Greet and log in patients arriving at office or clinic.
- Perform general office duties, such as answering telephones, taking dictation, or completing insurance forms.
- Prepare and administer medications as directed by a physician.
- Authorize drug refills and provide prescription information to pharmacies.
- Change dressings on wounds.
- Schedule appointments for patients.
- Inventory and order medical, lab, or office supplies or equipment.
- Contact medical facilities or departments to schedule patients for tests or admission.
- Operate x-ray, electrocardiogram (EKG), or other equipment to administer routine diagnostic tests.
- Set up medical laboratory equipment.
What to expect as a Medical Assistant
1Earn a High school or GED Diploma
56% of people achieve this level of education.
2Gain skills and experience
See Medical Assistant related courses on Tallo
3Land a job
22929 openings for Medical Assistants
Career Progression
in United States (Nation)
The career progression is an interactive way to explore careers related to Medical Assistant. Click on each career to see its associated salary, job availability, skills, and more.