Salary and Outlook

According to the US Department of Labor, there are 720,900 people employed as medical assistants in the United States. The median annual salary is $35,900. Entry level employees earn approximately $26,930 per year and senior employees earn approximately $50,580 per year.

Estimates do not include other potential benefits such as health insurance, overtime pay, or retirement benefits that may be offered by employers.

Job Duties

• 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.
• Explain treatment procedures, medications, diets, or physicians' instructions to patients.
• Prepare treatment rooms for patient examinations, keeping the rooms neat and clean.
• Collect blood, tissue, or other laboratory specimens, log the specimens, and prepare them for testing.
• Show patients to examination rooms and prepare them for the physician.
• Help physicians examine and treat patients, handing them instruments or materials or performing such tasks as giving injections or removing sutures.
• Perform routine laboratory tests and sample analyses.
• Greet and log in patients arriving at office or clinic.
• Perform general office duties, such as answering telephones, taking dictation, or completing insurance forms.
• Prepare and administer medications as directed by a physician.
• Authorize drug refills and provide prescription information to pharmacies.
• Change dressings on wounds.
• Schedule appointments for patients.
• Inventory and order medical, lab, or office supplies or equipment.
• Contact medical facilities or departments to schedule patients for tests or admission.
• Operate x-ray, electrocardiogram (EKG), or other equipment to administer routine diagnostic tests.
• Set up medical laboratory equipment.
• Keep financial records or perform other bookkeeping duties, such as handling credit or collections or mailing monthly statements to patients.

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