Day in the Life of a Medical Assistant: Daily Duties & Tasks
Apr 24, 2024
As integral healthcare team members, medical assistants play a vital role in ensuring the smooth operation of medical practices and providing quality patient care.
Medical assistants are cross-trained to perform administrative and clinical duties, administrative and clinical tasks as evidenced by the Occupational Analysis of Medical Assistants. Let's delve into the daily duties and tasks of a medical assistant..
Daily tasks upon arrival at the healthcare facility
When medical assistants begin their day at a healthcare facility, they engage in various medical assistant roles to ensure the smooth functioning of the medical practice and provide quality patient care. Some of these tasks include:
Patient intake:
Greeting patients as they arrive, verifying their information, and assisting with the check-in process.
Answering phone calls:
Managing incoming calls, scheduling appointments, and addressing patient inquiries or concerns over the phone.
Ordering medical supplies:
Ensuring the availability of necessary medical supplies and equipment by placing orders and managing inventory.
Taking patients' vitals:
Recording vital signs such as blood pressure, pulse rate, temperature, and weight to assist healthcare providers in assessing patient health.
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Clinical duties during examinations and procedures
There are many medical assistant duties when assisting healthcare providers during patient examinations laboratory tests and procedures. Here are some of the clinical duties most medical assistants say they perform:
Assist with procedures:
During bedside procedures and invasive examinations, medical assistants help position patients, manage medical equipment, and maintain records. They may also serve as chaperones during sensitive examinations.
Sterilize equipment:
Medical assistants are responsible for sterilizing instruments used in invasive procedures to prevent contamination and ensure patient safety.
Start IVs:
Depending on state regulations, some medical assistants may be trained and certified to start intravenous (IV) lines, though regulations vary widely.
Collect urine & stool samples:
Medical assistants collect and handle urine and stool samples, which are crucial for diagnosing health concerns and monitoring patient health
Administrative tasks
In addition to clinical duties, medical assistants also play a vital role in ensuring the efficient operation of healthcare facilities through various clinical and administrative skills and tasks. These tasks include:
Billing and coding:
They assist with medical billing and coding processes, ensuring accurate documentation of services rendered for insurance purposes.
Insurance verification:
Verifying patients' insurance coverage, obtaining pre-authorizations, and processing insurance claims are also part of their responsibilities.
Maintaining office supplies:
They ensure the availability of necessary office supplies and equipment, ordering and restocking as needed.
For those wondering, can a medical assistant work from home, some administrative responsibilities, like billing, coding, and insurance verification, may offer remote work opportunities, depending on the employer and the role's nature.
Afternoon responsibilities
During the day, medical assistants continue to fulfill crucial responsibilities to do medical procedures, support patient care and maintain the smooth operation of healthcare facilities. Some of the medical assistant duties during their afternoon duties may include:
Inventory management:
Medical assistants may take inventory of medical supplies, restock as needed, and ensure that equipment is properly stored and maintained.
Assisting with patient discharge:
Medical assistants help prepare patients for discharge by providing instructions, scheduling follow-up appointments, and arranging for any necessary referrals or prescriptions.
Completing documentation:
They update patient records, documenting any changes in condition, treatments administered, or instructions provided during the day.
How to become a medical assistant
These steps will help you to complete the medical assisting certification exam, you can embark on a rewarding career as a medical assistant in Florida. Becoming a medical assistant in Florida involves several key steps:
- Complete an Accredited Medical Assistant Program: Enroll in an accredited medical assistant program, which typically includes coursework in anatomy, mathematics, pharmacology, physiology, medical terminology, and administrative tasks.
- Participate in Supervised Practicum: Gain practical experience through a supervised practicum, which may involve an internship or externship in a healthcare setting. This hands-on training allows you to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios.
- Prepare for Certification Exam: Prepare for the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). The exam consists of 200 questions, with 180 graded. It is divided into four 40-minute segments, and results are provided immediately after completion.
What are the typical working hours for a medical assistant?
Medical assistants typically work full-time schedules, amounting to around 40 hours per week. The specifics of the administrative duties of medical assistants and their work hours may vary depending on the healthcare facility's needs and operating hours. However, common arrangements include:
- Many medical assistants work five days a week, with each shift lasting eight hours. This schedule is standard in outpatient clinics, physician offices, and other healthcare settings.
- In some healthcare facilities, medical assistants may work longer shifts spread across fewer days. This arrangement, known as a 12-hour shift, allows for more consecutive days off and is common in hospitals and urgent care centers.
These working hour patterns provide flexibility for both healthcare providers and medical assistants, ensuring optimal coverage for clinical tasks and patient care while accommodating staff preferences and scheduling needs.
If you’re exploring other roles in the healthcare field, a chiropractic assistant may perform similar duties but specifically within a chiropractic setting, assisting chiropractors with both administrative and clinical tasks.
