Career Overview
Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by physician.
Also Known As
- Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)
- Chiropractor Assistant
- Doctor's Assistant
- Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)
Alternate Job Titles
- Autopsy Assistant
- Bilingual Medical Assistant
- Cardiology Medical Assistant
- Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)
- Chiropractic Assistant
- Chiropractor Assistant
- Client Services Coordinator
- Clinic Assistant
- Clinic Medical Assistant
- Clinical Medical Assistant
- Dermatology Medical Assistant
- Doctor Assistant
- Doctor's Assistant
- Family Medicine Medical Assistant
- Health Assistant
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- 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.
- Prepare treatment rooms for patient examinations, keeping the rooms neat and clean.
- Collect blood, tissue, or other laboratory specimens, log the specimens, and prepare them for testing.
- Show patients to examination rooms and prepare them for the physician.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Administrative
- Computers and Electronics
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Social Perceptiveness
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Written Comprehension
- Problem Sensitivity
- Speech Recognition
- Near Vision
- Speech Clarity
- Written Expression
- Deductive Reasoning
- Information Ordering
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Cooperation
- Integrity
- Empathy
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Relationships
- Support
- Achievement
- Working Conditions
- Recognition
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
On-the-Job Training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months
Education Details: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience Required: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- eClinicalWorks EHR software
- Epic Systems
- Intuit QuickBooks
- MEDITECH software
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft SharePoint
Tools & Equipment
- Audiometers
- Autoclaves
- Baumanometers
- Binocular light compound microscopes
- Blood chemistry analyzers
- Blood collection vials
- Breathalyzers
- Butterfly needles
- Canes
- Cast cutters
- Centrifuges
- Credit card readers
- Crutches
- Culturettes
- Dictation equipment
Work Environment
- Contact With Others
- Exposed to Disease or Infections
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $35,020 |
| Median | $44,200 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $57,830 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 793,460
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Surgical Assistants
Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Median Salary: $60,290
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $44,080
Registered Nurses
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $93,600
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
Education: Some College Courses
Median Salary: $62,340
Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Median Salary: $67,260
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.