Top Things to Know Before Becoming a Medical Assistant

April 24, 2024

How to Transition From Medical Assistant to Registered Nurse

April 24, 2024

Day in the Life of a Medical Assistant: Daily Duties & Tasks

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
Clinical duties during examinations and procedures
Administrative tasks
Afternoon responsibilities
How to become a medical assistant
What are the typical working hours for 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.

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.

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Josefina Buonaccordo

A highly experienced, enthusiastic and result oriented School Coordinator and Principal with a track record of developing instructional materials; coordinating educational contents and incorporating current technology in specialized fields that provide guidelines to educators and instructors for developing curricula and conducting courses. Effective monitoring and tutoring skills. Good organizational and time management skills with ability to maintain set guidelines. Attention to detail and ability to maintain high standards of professionalism. Understanding of diversified learning needs of students, proficient in integrating technology resources and various teaching methods, and in employing learning measurement tools to create positive results in individuals and groups. Self-starter, with a team-oriented attitude possessing strong analytical skills coupled with excellent cross-cultural communication skills, culturally competent with ability to work in diverse environments. Fluent in Spanish, English and Italian.

Top Things to Know Before Becoming a Medical Assistant

How to Transition From Medical Assistant to Registered Nurse

Top Things to Know Before Becoming a Medical Assistant

How to Transition From Medical Assistant to Registered Nurse

Day in the Life of a Medical Assistant: Daily Duties & Tasks

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