Types of Medical Assistants

What Does a Medical Assistant Do?

Medical Assistants (MA) are one of the fastest-growing professions with a number of specialties. Meaning the average day in the life of a medical assistant can change greatly depending on your exact position. Regardless of where you are working as a MA, you will have the opportunity daily to positively affect someone’s life. With Ayers Career Colleges Medical Assistant Program you will be trained and qualified for any of these positions in no time!

Four Basic Categories of Medical Assistant Duties

The duties of a medical assistant can change based on a number of factors: the type you are, the state you are in, the exact industry you work in, and a number of other factors. The biggest influence however is the type of medical assisting you are performing and the setting you are in. The basic categories are clinical, administrative, clerical and specialist. Depending on the size of the employer you are working for, you may do one or all four of these.

Clinical (MA)

A clinical medical assistant is the most common type of MA. As their name suggests, their job is based on helping clients in a clinical context. They also may assist physicians during procedures or perform a small procedure themselves.

Common Duties

• Taking Patient Vitals
• Removing Sutures
• Prepping Patients for X-Rays
• Explaining Procedures to Patients
• Taking Medical Histories

Administrative (MA)

An administrative medical assistant works less with patients and more involved with the general running of medical office operations. They still work with patients in the way of scheduling appointments, handling billing, and other duties. They just do not perform hands-on procedures as other MA’s do.

Common Duties

• Filling Out Insurance Forms
• Ordering Lab tests
• Billing Patients
• Working with Insurance Companies
• Scheduling Follow up Appointments

Clerical (MA)

Typically, a clerical medical assistant will perform many of the same duties as an administrative MA. With a higher focus on the business of running a medical practice, less on medical records and patient relations.

Common Duties

• Filing
• Typing Documents
• Answering Phones
• Sorting Mail
• Handling Correspondence

Specialist (MA)

The duties that fall under the responsibility of a specialist medical assistant vary greatly depending on the setting they are in. A specialist assistant is required to have specific knowledge of the field in which they are working.

Common Specialist Work Places

• Podiatrists Office
• Medical Testing LAB
• Optometrists Office
• Specialized Clinic

With the size of specialized clinics typically being smaller, it is not uncommon that a medical assistant does a combination of all MA duties.

Is it Right For You?

Being a medical assistant is one of the most rewarding careers you can have. You have the ability to help people and make a difference every day that you work. There are so many options and choices when it comes to the type of medical assisting you could do, finding your passion in the field is easy. Ayers Career College will get you ready and started on your new dream job in on time!

If you have questions about our Medical Assistant Program or are interested in learning more, give us a call at 1-800-317-0131 or fill out the form on this page.