Common Procedures Medical Assistants Help Perform

Common Procedures Medical Assistants Help Perform

Medical assistant jobs are crucial to the day-to-day operations of many types of healthcare facilities.  In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the common responsibilities of medical assistants, including medical procedures that they help with.

What is the Role of Medical Assistants in Patient Care?

The roles of medical assistants in patient care can vary greatly depending on the medical office’s specialty and administrative processes. Their tasks are diverse and essential, covering both clinical and administrative duties.

Clinical responsibilities for medical assistant jobs include:

  • Taking patient histories
  • Explaining procedures to patients
  • Preparing patients for examinations
  • Assisting during exams
  • Collecting and preparing lab specimens
  • Conducting basic lab tests
  • Educating patients about medications and diets
  • Administering medications and vaccinations
  • Handling prescription refills

Administrative responsibilities for medical assistants include:

  • Updating medical records
  • Responding to phone calls
  • Scheduling patient appointments
  • Greeting patients at the facility
  • Arranging hospital admissions or lab services
  • Managing insurance forms
  • Handling written communications
  • Taking care of billing and bookkeeping tasks

What Procedures Are Medical Assistants Involved In?

1. Checking Vital Signs

Medical assistants are often responsible for checking patients’ vital signs at the beginning of a checkup or procedure.  This includes pulse, respiration rate, pulse oximetry, blood pressure, and body temperature.

If the patient has a specific complaint, medical assistants may also collect urine samples, a blood sample, or a throat swab.

2. Performing Physical Exams

While doctors conduct most physical exams, medical assistants often provide essential support. As a medical assistant, you might help with gynecologic exams, eye and ear irrigation, newborn screenings, and pediatric exams. Though the doctor interprets the results and prescribes treatments, you’ll be there to assist and educate patients.

3. Non-Invasive Procedures

Some of the most common procedures that medical assistants play a role in are non-invasive procedures such as Electrocardiograms, urine pregnancy tests, and blood glucose tests. Medical assistants might also administer immunizations and medications in the form of tablets, powders, vaccines, or eyedrops. Medical assistants might also dress wounds, remove sutures and staples, and apply ice packs.

4. Invasive Procedures

More invasive procedures where medical assistants sometimes assist, include minor surgeries like excisions, endoscopic surgeries, biopsies, stitches, drainage procedures, and phlebotomy.

Steps to Becoming a Certified Medical Assistant

Your journey to becoming a medical assistant begins with PCI Health Training Center. Our hybrid medical assistant program allows you to prepare for your new career in as little as nine months with a convenient blend of online and on-campus classes. At the end of the program, you’ll complete an externship to get hands-on experience working in a real medical facility. Get in touch with us today to find out more about the hybrid medical assistant program at PCI.