Medical Assistant Clinical Duties

Clinical duties for Medical Assistants: Clinical duties for the medical assistant vary according to state law and include taking medical histories and recording vital signs, preparing patients for examination, and assisting the physician during the examination. Medical Assistants collect and prepare laboratory specimens and sterilize medical instruments. Medical Assistants telephone prescriptions to a pharmacy, draw blood, prepare patients for x-rays, take electrocardiograms, remove sutures, and change dressings. Medical Assistants should not be confused with physician assistants who examine, diagnose, and treat patients under the direct supervision of a physician. Medical Assistants deal with the public; therefore, they must be neat and well-groomed and have a courteous, pleasant manner. Medical Assistants must be able to put patients at ease and explain physicians' instructions to them. They must respect the confidential nature of medical information. Clinical duties require a reasonable level of manual dexterity and visual acuity.