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Career Details : Medical Assistants

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Description

Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding 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.

Experience

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.

Education

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree.

Training

Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers.

Tasks

  • Prepares treatment rooms for examination of patients.
  • Cleans and sterilizes instruments.
  • Computes and mails monthly statements to patients and records transactions.
  • Contacts medical facility or department to schedule patients for tests.
  • Performs routine laboratory tests.
  • Gives injections or treatments to patients.
  • Receives payment for bills.
  • Operates x-ray, electrocardiograph (EKG), and other equipment to administer routine diagnostic tests.
  • Gives physiotherapy treatments, such as diathermy, galvanics, and hydrotherapy.
  • Completes insurance forms.
  • Lifts and turns patients.
  • Inventories and orders medical supplies and materials.
  • Hands instruments and materials to physician.
  • Schedules appointments.
  • Interviews patients, measures vital signs, weight, and height, and records information.
  • Maintains medical records.

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    Important Abilities

    General Work Activities

    Important Skills

    Frequent Work Context

    • Consequence of Error
    • Job-Required Social Interaction
    • Importance of Being Sure All Is Done
    • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
    • Responsible for Others' Health & Safety

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