Medical Assisting

What Can I Do With A Major In Medical Assisting?

Medical Assistants perform routine administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, and other health practitioners running smoothly. Medical assistants collect and prepare laboratory specimens or perform basic laboratory tests on the premises, dispose of contaminated supplies, and sterilize medical instruments. They instruct patients about medications and special diets, prepare and administer medications as directed by a physician, authorize drug refills as directed, telephone prescriptions to a pharmacy, draw blood, prepare patients for x rays, take electrocardiograms, remove sutures, and change dressings. Medical assistants also may arrange examining-room instruments and equipment, purchase and maintain supplies and equipment, and keep waiting and examining rooms neat and clean.

Students in Medical Assisting are trained in the skills of:

Front office administrative skills
Back office clinical skills to assist healthcare practitioners in administering to patients' needs
Assisting with medical examinations and treatment
Working as a team member in the medical office environment
Taking medical histories and obtain vital signs
Drawing blood
Performing diagnostic tests and office laboratory procedures
Sterilizing instruments and maintain equipment
Taking medical histories
Explaining treatment procedures to patients
Preparing patients for examination
Assisting the physician during the exam
Collecting and preparing laboratory specimens
Performing basic laboratory tests
Instructing patients about medication and special diets
Preparing and administering medications as directed by a physician
Authorizing prescription refills as directed
Taking electrocardiograms
Removing sutures and changing dressings
Abiding by the principles of medical ethics and medical legal issues facing health care providers
Using computer applications
Answering telephones
Greeting patients
Updating and filing patient medical records
Coding and filling out insurance forms
Scheduling appointments
Arranging for hospital admissions and laboratory services
Handling correspondence, billing and bookkeeping