Medical Assistant

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

On the job, you would:

Interview patients to obtain medical information and measure their vital signs, weight, and height.
Clean and sterilize instruments and dispose of contaminated supplies.
Record patients' medical history, vital statistics, or information such as test results in medical records.

Important Qualities

Analytical skills. Medical assistants must be able to understand medical charts and diagnoses.

Communication skills. Medical assistants need to convey important information to patients, such as when scheduling appointments or explaining medical information.

Compassion. Medical assistants interact with patients who are sick or injured and who may be in extreme pain or distress. They must be empathetic toward patients and their families.

Detail oriented. Medical assistants must be precise when taking vital signs or recording patient information. Physicians, patients, and insurance companies rely on accurate records.

Interpersonal skills. Medical assistants work with other healthcare professionals, such as physicians, and need to be able to discuss patient information with them. They also interact with patients and must be courteous.

Personality

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Characteristics of this Career
		95%	Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
		94%	Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
		93%	Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
		91%	Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
		88%	Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
		88%	Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
		88%	Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
		86%	Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
		80%	Self-Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
		80%	Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
		77%	Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
		75%	Social Orientation - Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
		71%	Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
		66%	Leadership - Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
		65%	Innovation - Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
		64%	Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Strengths
		89%	Social - Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.
		89%	Conventional - Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
		56%	Realistic - Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Values of the Work Environment
		78%	Relationships - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
		78%	Support - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
		61%	Achievement - Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
		53%	Working Conditions - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

Aptitude

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Abilities \| Cognitive, Physical, Personality
		75%	Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
		75%	Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
		75%	Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
		72%	Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
		72%	Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
		72%	Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
		69%	Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
		69%	Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
		63%	Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
		56%	Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
		56%	Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
		53%	Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
		53%	Flexibility of Closure - The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Skills \| Cognitive, Physical, Personality
		57%	Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
		57%	Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
		55%	Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
		55%	Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
		52%	Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Job Details

Responsibilities

Interview patients to gather medical information.

Assess physical conditions of patients to aid in diagnosis or treatment.

Record vital statistics or other health information.

Give medications or immunizations.

Collect biological specimens from patients.

Record vital statistics or other health information.

Explain technical medical information to patients.

Give medications or immunizations.

Administer basic health care or medical treatments.

Assist practitioners to perform medical procedures.

Control prescription refills or authorizations.

Clean patient rooms or patient treatment rooms.

Prepare patient treatment areas for use.

Dispose of biomedical waste in accordance with standards.

Clean medical equipment.

Schedule patient procedures or appointments.

Apply bandages, dressings, or splints.

Schedule patient procedures or appointments.

Perform clerical work in medical settings.

Process medical billing information.

Inventory medical supplies or equipment.

Conduct diagnostic tests to determine patient health.

Prepare medical instruments or equipment for use.

Process medical billing information.

Operate medical equipment.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Attributes & Percentage of Time Spent
		100%	Contact With Others - How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
		92%	Exposed to Disease or Infections - How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections?
		91%	Indoors, Environmentally Controlled - How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
		91%	Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets - How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets?
		87%	Work With Work Group or Team - How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?
		85%	Importance of Being Exact or Accurate - How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
		84%	Telephone - How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
		83%	Physical Proximity - To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks in close physical proximity to other people?
		82%	Face-to-Face Discussions - How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
		81%	Letters and Memos - How often does the job require written letters and memos?
		76%	Importance of Repeating Same Tasks - How important is repeating the same physical activities (e.g., key entry) or mental activities (e.g., checking entries in a ledger) over and over, without stopping, to performing this job?
		75%	Deal With External Customers - How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job?
		75%	Consequence of Error - How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not readily correctable?
		74%	Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People - How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?
		71%	Frequency of Decision Making - How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
		70%	Time Pressure - How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
		67%	Structured versus Unstructured Work - To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?
		66%	Responsible for Others' Health and Safety - How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?
		65%	Coordinate or Lead Others - How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job?
		64%	Electronic Mail - How often do you use electronic mail in this job?
		63%	Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results - What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
		58%	Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions - How much does this job require making repetitive motions?
		56%	Freedom to Make Decisions - How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
		55%	Frequency of Conflict Situations - How often are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?
		53%	Spend Time Sitting - How much does this job require sitting?
		52%	Responsibility for Outcomes and Results - How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?
		55%	Duration of Typical Work Week - Number of hours typically worked in one week.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Tasks & Values
		97%	Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
		92%	Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
		91%	Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
		90%	Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
		90%	Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
		87%	Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
		86%	Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
		86%	Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
		85%	Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
		83%	Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
		82%	Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
		81%	Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
		77%	Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
		76%	Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
		72%	Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
		71%	Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
		70%	Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
		68%	Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
		65%	Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
		65%	Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
		65%	Communicating with People Outside the Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
		65%	Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
		64%	Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
		62%	Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
		59%	Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
		59%	Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
		59%	Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
		58%	Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
		58%	Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
		54%	Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
		54%	Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
		52%	Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
		51%	Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

What Medical Assistants Do

Medical assistants take patients' vital signs, such as their blood pressure.

Medical assistants complete administrative and clinical tasks, such as scheduling appointments and taking patients’ vital signs. Their duties vary by location, specialty, and employer.

Duties

Medical assistants typically do the following:

Interview patients and record their medical history
Measure patients' vital signs, such as their blood pressure and weight
Help physicians with patient examinations
Give patients injections or medications as directed by physicians and as permitted by state law
Schedule patient appointments
Collect and prepare samples of blood and other specimens for laboratory tests
Enter patient information, such as their vital signs and test results, into medical records
Maintain inventory of medical and office supplies

Medical assistants often focus on either clinical or administrative tasks, although some do both. Their primary clinical tasks involve taking and recording patients’ personal information and medical history. Other tasks that assistants are allowed to do vary by state and may include performing basic laboratory tests, disposing of contaminated supplies, and sterilizing medical instruments. Some assistants have additional responsibilities, such as instructing patients about medications or drawing blood.

Medical assistants may have a range of administrative tasks. They help patients understand and receive their insurance coverage, such as by completing forms, coding information, and contacting companies about billing. They also inventory, order, and restock medical and office supplies; answer telephones; and schedule appointments.

Some medical assistants specialize according to the type of medical practice in which they work. For example, medical assistants who help ophthalmologists and optometrists show patients how to insert, remove, and care for contact lenses.

Medical assistants must adhere to confidentiality standards when working with patients and patient information.

Medical assistants should not be confused with other healthcare occupations that may have similar titles or duties. For example, both medical assistants and physician assistants work under the direction of physicians; however, physician assistants practice medicine and can prescribe medication under a physician’s supervision.

Work Environment

Medical assistants held about 764,400 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of medical assistants were as follows:

Offices of physicians	56%
Hospitals; state, local, and private	15
Outpatient care centers	9
Offices of other health practitioners	8

Some medical assistants spend a lot of time standing or walking as they visit patients. Others sit at a computer for much of the day to work on administrative tasks.

Work Schedules

Most medical assistants work full time. Some work evening, weekend, or holiday shifts in medical facilities that are open around the clock.

Getting Started

Education:

45%

Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)

21%

High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)

How to Become a Medical Assistant

Medical assistant programs typically include supervised experience, such as a practicum.

Medical assistants typically need postsecondary education, such as a certificate. Some workers enter the occupation with a high school diploma and learn through on-the-job training.

Education

High school students interested in a career as a medical assistant should take science classes, including biology and chemistry. Although employers often prefer to hire candidates with more education, some medical assistants have a high school diploma and learn their duties on the job.

Medical assistants typically complete a postsecondary program, such as for a medical assistant certificate or an associate’s degree. Programs are available in community colleges, vocational schools, technical schools, and universities and take about 1 or 2 years to complete. Medical assistant programs include courses such as medical terminology, anatomy, and pharmacology. They also typically include supervised experience, such as a practicum or an internship.

Training

Medical assistants who do not have postsecondary education may learn their skills through on-the-job training or an apprenticeship. Physicians or other medical assistants may teach a new assistant tasks such as how to take vital signs and how to interact with patients It may take several months for an assistant to complete training, depending on the facility.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Some states require that medical assistants graduate from an accredited program, be licensed or certified, or meet other prerequisites in order to practice. Contact your state licensing agency for more information.

Although most states do not require it, employers may prefer or require that medical assistants be certified. certification is available from a number of organizations, including the American Association of Medical Assistants, the American Medical Certification Association, National Center for Competency Testing, and the National Healthcareer Association.

Some employers may require medical assistants to meet other qualifications, such as Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

Job Outlook

Employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 14 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.

About 114,600 openings for medical assistants are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment

The large baby-boom population continues to enter older age groups, which typically have more healthcare concerns than younger age groups and will continue to increase demand for medical services. As a result, more medical assistants will be needed to perform routine administrative and clinical duties in physicians’ offices and other primary care settings.

Contacts for More Information

For more information about becoming a medical assistant, including information on certification, visit

American Association of Medical Assistants

American Medical Certification Association

American Medical Technologists

Institute for Credentialing Excellence

National Center for Competency Testing

National Healthcareer Association

Similar Occupations

This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of medical assistants.

Occupation	Job Duties	Entry-Level Education	Median Annual Pay, May 2022
Dental Assistants	Dental assistants provide patient care, take x rays, keep records, and schedule appointments.	Postsecondary nondegree award	$44,820
Dental Hygienists	Dental hygienists examine patients for signs of oral diseases, such as gingivitis, and provide preventive care, including oral hygiene.	Associate's degree	$81,400
Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars	Health information technologists and medical registrars advise organizations on computerized healthcare systems and analyze clinical data.	Associate's degree	$58,250
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses	Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) provide basic medical care.	Postsecondary nondegree award	$54,620
Medical Records Specialists	Medical records specialists compile, process, and maintain patient files.	Postsecondary nondegree award	$47,180
Nursing Assistants and Orderlies	Nursing assistants provide basic care and help patients with activities of daily living. Orderlies transport patients and clean treatment areas.	See How to Become One	$35,740
Occupational Therapy Assistants and Aides	Occupational therapy assistants and aides help patients develop, recover, improve, as well as maintain the skills needed for daily living and working.	See How to Become One	$63,450
Pharmacy Technicians	Pharmacy technicians help pharmacists dispense prescription medication to customers or health professionals.	High school diploma or equivalent	$37,790
Phlebotomists	Phlebotomists draw blood for tests, transfusions, research, or blood donations.	Postsecondary nondegree award	$38,530
Physical Therapist Assistants and Aides	Physical therapist assistants and aides are supervised by physical therapists to help patients regain movement and manage pain after injuries and illnesses.	See How to Become One	$57,240
Psychiatric Technicians and Aides	Psychiatric technicians and aides care for people who have mental conditions or developmental disabilities.	See How to Become One	$37,330