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• Taking the patient's medical history
• Explaining the treatment or procedure to the patient
• Preparing the patient for examination
• Measuring vital signs such as temperature and blood pressure
• Assisting the physician during examinations
• Preparing blood samples for laboratory tests
• Providing basic instructions to patients regarding medications and special diet
• Preparing and administrating medications
• Transmitting prescription refills (as directed)

Administrative Duties

• Answering telephones
• Filling out and updating patient's records
• Filling out insurance forms
• Scheduling appointments
• Arranging hospital admissions
• Handling billing, correspondence, and bookkeeping

Can Medical Assistants Specialize?

Medical assistants may specialize if they prefer to work in a hospital or a larger practice.

Here are some of the medical assistants' specialities:

Administrative

Administrative medical assistants focus on clerical tasks. Their day-to-day tasks include filling out patient's insurance forms, code patient's medical information, answering telephones, and scheduling patient's appointments.

Clinical

Clinical medical assistants' tasks can vary from state-to-state. This may include performing basic laboratory tests, sterilizing medical instruments, disposing contaminated supplies, removing stitches, or changing dressings.

Ophthalmology or Optometry

Ophthalmic and optometric medical assistants assist ophthalmologists and optometrists in providing eye care. Some of their duties may include giving instructions to patients on how to insert, remove, and care for their contact lenses and assist ophthalmologists in performing eye surgeries.

Podiatry

Podiatric medical assistants work closely with foot doctors (also known as podiatrists). Their duties may include making castings of feet, expose and develop x-rays, and assist podiatrists in foot surgeries.

Who Employs the Most Medical Assistants?

Based on the 2022 report of the U.S. Bureau Labor of Statistics (BLS), physicians' offices employ the most medical assistants. It is followed by hospitals, outpatient care centers, offices of other healthcare practitioners, and employment services.

All over the country, the state of California has the highest employment level for MAs. Other states with high levels of employment for MAs include Texas, Florida, New York, and Georgia.

How Much Do Medical Assistants Make?

The mean wage for MAs is $19.57 per hour or about $40,700 annually.

Where Do Medical Assistants Get Paid the Most?

According to BLS research, Insurance carriers are the highest paying employers for medical assistants. Average hourly wage for MAs in this industry is $24.72.

Of all states in the country, Washington pays medical assistants the most. Average hourly wage for MAs in the state is $24.21. Other high-paying states for MAs include Alaska, California, and Minnesota.

Are there Advancement Opportunities for Medical Assistants?

With experience and additional training, medical assistants can advance their career. They can be promoted to office, billing, or practice managers.

Advancing your medical assistant career can open doors for potential pay increase, better job security, and more career options.

How to Become a Medical Assistant?

Most states do not have a formal education requirement for medical assisting, but many employers prefer to hire those who complete a medical assisting program.

Medical assisting programs are available in community colleges, technical schools, vocational schools, and universities. This usually takes one year to complete and can lead to a certificate or diploma upon completion. U.S. Career Institute also offers an Online Medical Assistant Program that can be completed in as little as 4 months!

Although medical assistants are not required to be certified in most states, many employers prefer to hire those who are certified.

There are different organizations who offer certifications. Each has a different set of requirements for the applicant. Some require completion of an accredited program while some don't but require you to work full time for a certain number of years. The most basic requirement of these certification bodies is you have to be at least 18 years of age.

The National Commission for Certifying Agencies accredits five certifications for medical assistants. These are:

• Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) from the American Association of Medical Assistants
• Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) from American Medical Technologists
• National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) from the National Center for Competency Testing
• Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) from the National Healthcareer Association
• Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) from the National Healthcareer Association

Wrapping Us: Where Do Medical Assistants Work

Medical assistants work in a variety of healthcare settings that require their medical and administrative skills.

Physicians' offices are the most common employers of MAs. This is followed by hospitals, outpatient care centers, and employment services.

If MAs want better pay, more job security, and advancement opportunities, they should consider getting certified, gaining more experience, and specializing.

Insurance carriers are the highest-paying industries for MAs while the state of Washington pays MAs the most in the country.