Medical Assistants (MA) are multi-skilled allied health professionals that work in a variety of settings. More medical assistants are employed by practicing physicians than any other type of allied health personnel. As members of the health care delivery team, a medical assistant functions under the supervision of physicians to keep medical offices running smoothly by performing administrative and clinical procedures, such as:
scheduling and receiving patients,
preparing and maintaining medical records,
liaison between the physician and other healthcare professionals,
managing practice finances (billing and bookkeeping),
asepsis/infection control,
performing CPR/first aid,
taking patient histories/vital signs and
assisting physicians with examinations and treatments.
A well-trained medical assistant may be responsible for managerial tasks such as supervising personnel, marketing and public outreach, and contract negotiation for leases, equipment and supplies.
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