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Medical Assistants - 31-9092.00

O*NET-SOC Description

Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by physician.

Sample of Reported Job Titles

  • Medical Assistant
  • Certifed Medical Assistant (CMA)
  • Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)
  • Doctor's Assistant
  • Medical Office Assistant
  • Optometric Assistant
  • Clinical Assistant
  • Ophthalmic Technician
  • Optometric Technician
  • Outpatient Surgery Assistant

SOC Occupation Groups

Related Occupations

Tasks

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

Detailed Work Activities

  • administer injections
  • administer medications or treatments
  • assist in examining or treating dental or medical patients
  • calculate medical diagnostic test results
  • collect clinical data
  • collect specimens from patients
  • complete patient bills
  • complete patient insurance forms
  • conduct medical laboratory tests
  • conduct medical tests
  • draw blood
  • ensure correct grammar, punctuation, or spelling
  • follow dental or medical office procedures
  • follow dental or medical x-ray procedures
  • follow patient care procedures
  • inventory medical supplies or instruments
  • lift or transport ill or injured patients
  • maintain dental or medical records
  • observe patient condition
  • obtain information from clients, customers, or patients
  • order or purchase supplies, materials, or equipment
  • position patient for therapy
  • post medical insurance billings
  • prepare bodies for interment
  • prepare medical treatment room
  • prepare patients for tests, therapy, or treatments
  • prepare sample for laboratory testing, analysis, or microscopy
  • process medical records
  • provide customer service
  • record medical history or data
  • retrieve files or charts
  • route multi-line telephone calls
  • schedule meetings or appointments
  • set up or calibrate laboratory equipment
  • set up patient care equipment
  • sterilize or disinfect instruments
  • take dictation
  • take vital signs
  • use clinical sterilizing technique
  • use interpersonal communication techniques
  • use interviewing procedures
  • use knowledge of medical insurance systems
  • use knowledge of medical terminology
  • use medical diagnostic equipment
  • use medical lab techniques
  • use nursing practices or procedures
  • use sanitation practices in health care settings
  • use secretarial procedures
  • weigh patients
  • work with persons with mental disabilities or illnesses

Military Crosswalk Titles

  • Aeromedical Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aeromedical Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aeromedical Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aeromedical Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aeromedical Manager (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aeromedical Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aerospace Medical Technician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Aerospace Physiology Technician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Dermatology Technician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Technician (Coast Guard - Enlisted)
  • Hemodialysis Technician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Hospital Corpsman (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Hospital Corpsman Basic (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Hospitalman (Coast Guard - Enlisted)
  • Hospitalman (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Hospitalman Recruit (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Ocular Technician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Optometry Apprentice, Ophthalmology (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Optometry Craftsman, Ophthalmology (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Optometry Helper, Ophthalmology (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Optometry Journeyman, Ophthalmology (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Otolaryngology Technician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Urology Technician (Navy - Enlisted)

Apprenticeship Crosswalk Titles

  • Medical Assistant
  • Podiatric Assistant

DOT Crosswalk Titles

  • Chiropractor Assistant
  • Medical Assistant
  • Podiatric Assistant