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Medical Assistants work in the offices of physicians and other healthcare providers. They have both administrative and clinical responsibilities. Their administrative duties may include:

• Answering phones
• Updating medical records
• Scheduling appointments
• Arranging laboratory tests
• Handling billing information

Their clinical duties may include:

• Obtaining medical histories
• Taking vital signs
• Collecting laboratory specimens
• Performing electrocardiograms
• Removing sutures
• Assisting physicians with exams

Medical assistants who work in the offices of ophthalmologists, podiatrists, or other specialists have additional duties related to those specialties.

Employers prefer to hire medical assistants who have taken educational programs in their field. These programs are given at vocational-technical high schools, vocational schools, junior colleges, and community colleges. They are usually one or two years long. Medical assistants are not licensed by their states, but they may be required to take a class or exam before performing certain tasks, such as taking x-rays. The American Association of Medical Assistants offers an exam through which you can become a Certified Medical Assistant. You can also become certified as an ophthalmic or podiatric medical assistant.

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