Medical Assistant

Medical Assistant

Duties and Responsibilities: Medical assistants perform routine administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians and other health practitioners running smoothly. Administrative duties include answering telephones, greeting patients, updating and filing patients' medical records, filling out insurance forms, handling correspondence, scheduling appointments, arranging for hospital admissions and laboratory services, and handling billing and bookkeeping. Clinical duties vary according to state law and include: taking medical histories and recording vital signs, explaining treatment, preparing patients, and assisting the physician during the examination.

Salary: Average wage of $13.30 an hour.


Education: Applicants usually need a high school diploma or equivalent. Some states require them to take a test or a course before they can perform certain tasks.