Medical assistants play a vital role in physician offices by performing administrative and clinical tasks to allow healthcare providers more time with patients. [1] Their duties include greeting patients, taking vitals, administering injections, preparing samples for testing, and assisting during procedures. [2] While no formal education is required, certification is earned by completing an accredited training program and passing a national exam. [3] Employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 31% over the next decade as more practices and facilities open.

1. Duties of a Certified Medical Assistant
All of us have, at some point or another in our life, visited a doctor. Whenever you enter a doctor’s
office, who’s the first person to greet you? Whose warm smile and friendly demeanor puts you
immediately at ease in an otherwise overwhelming environment?
Well, these people are a valuable part of a physician’s office. They are called medical assistants and are
responsible for ensuring smooth day-to-day operations in a healthcare facility.
Here’s something that will provide you an insight into the importance of a medical assistant for a
healthcare facility. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of medical assistants is
projected to grow by 31% over the 2010-20 decade, at a much faster than average pace for all
occupations.*
There’s no question that these multi-skilled professionals are much in demand and will continue to be
over the next decade. The demand is spurred by an increase in the number of private and group
practices as well as other kinds of healthcare facilities. But what exactly is it that doctors and other
healthcare practitioners depend on medical assistants for?
Medical assistants perform a range of routine administrative, clerical and clinical tasks, so direct
healthcare providers have more time at their disposal to treat patients. But before we look further into
their specific duties and responsibilities, it’s important to know how they earn the title of Certified
Medical Assistant.
Medical Assistant Training
Although there are no formal educational requirements for this profession, it is probably best to attend
a medical assistant training program, especially if you want to get certified.
One to two-year programs that result in a diploma, certificate or an Associate’s degree are available at
career schools and community colleges. Some schools also offer flexible, online medical assistant
courses. The medical administrative assistant tuition for such programs is quite affordable.
Courses in medical terminology, medical office procedures, basic anatomy, healthcare reimbursement
system, etc. are typically included in training programs for medical assistants.
Completing postsecondary medical assistant training qualifies graduates to sit for the Certified Medical
Assistant (CMA) examination conducted by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
Those who pass the rigorous examination are awarded the CMA certification, which validates their deep
and thorough understanding of the healthcare delivery process.
Duties of a CMA
Once you become a Certified Medical Assistant, you are qualified to perform a wide range of activities in
ambulatory settings such as doctor offices, clinics, and group practices. Your duties and responsibilities
may include:
1. Greeting and registering patients.

2. 2. Recording their medical history.
3. Taking their vital signs like blood pressure.
4. Administering injections and/or drugs.
5. Collecting and preparing samples for testing.
6. Performing basic first-aid on patients.
7. Getting patients ready for examination.
8. Assisting doctors during a procedure.
9. Verifying patients’ health insurance coverage.
10. Helping them fill out different types of forms.
11. Processing bills and collecting payments.
12. Maintaining patient records and files.
13. Responding to patient queries on phone.
14. Managing inventory and maintaining equipment.
15. Scheduling and managing appointments.
These are just a few of the tasks Certified Medical Assistants are responsible for. Clearly, they have more
than their plates full so far as work is concerned. Some even work nights and weekends if the facility
they are associated with operates 24/7. On the other hand, many medical assistants provide their
services virtually.
And what can you take home at the end of it all? A more than decent compensation and the satisfaction
of having done your bit in helping people in need!
Sources:
*bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm