Medical assistants typically do both administrative and clinical tasks. In many medical offices, they may do some of each. In some healthcare facilities, medical assistants may be assigned just clinical duties. In certain cases, you can be certified for clinical duties, though in California, this is redundant and not necessary if you have a Nationally Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) certification.
This guide covers the range of clinical responsibilities a medical assistant has in medical offices and facilities, and other questions you may have about being a medical assistant.
Clinical Medical Assistant Duties
Clinical medical assistants spend more time doing direct patient care and assisting doctors with vital signs, patient prep, and procedures. Medical administrative assistants manage tasks such as scheduling appointments, answering phones, and updating patient records.
These are the responsibilities clinical medical assistants have in their daily routine.
- Taking vital signs including blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, body temperature, and blood oxygen levels
- Recording patients symptoms and medical histories
- Preparing patients for examinations
- Drawing blood where state regulations and certifications allow
- Collecting and preparing patient samples for testing, including urine and stool samples
- Preparing examination rooms and equipment
- Administering vaccines or injections
- Give patients medications under a physician’s supervision
- Removing stitches and staples
- Applying and changing wound dressings
- Applying creams and ointments such as antibacterial creams or pain relieving ointments
- Sterilizing medical equipment
- Stocking medical supplies in the exam rooms
Specializations for Clinical Medical Assistants
Clinical medical assistants can specialize in specific areas of medicine. This can mean they work in cardiology, respiratory therapy, ophthalmology, podiatry, chiropractic care, orthopedics, or radiology. For some specialties, medical assistants may pursue specialty certifications.
Where Do Clinical Medical Assistants Work?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics gathers information every year, and as of May 2023, these were the places where medical assistants were most likely to work.
| Type of Medical Facility | Percentage of Medical Assistants Employed |
|---|---|
| Physician's Offices | 56% |
| Hospitals: state, local, and private | 16% |
| Outpatient care facilities | 9% |
| Offices of other health practitioners | 8% |
How to Become a Certified Medical Assistant
1. Choose a Program in Which to Enroll
Find an accredited training program. You may not be able to take the licensing exam if you enroll in a non-accredited program. Certificate programs typically take less than a year. Associate degree programs take about two years.
2. Complete an Externship
Most medical assistant training programs require students to complete an externship before taking the exam. An externship allows students to get hands-on experience in a medical office or healthcare facility before taking the licensing exam.
3. Pass Your Exam and Get Certified
There are different exams for different certifications, depending on the region. Campus Sacramento prepares you for the National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) exam, which has 150-multiple choice questions. The NCMA exam is certified by the National Center for Competency Testing.
4. Prepare a Resume and Apply for Positions
Medical assistants are in demand, but if you don’t have previous job experience, applying to different places like medical offices, hospitals, general physicians, and specialty doctors like podiatrists and chiropractors might be a good way to get your first job. From that entry-level experience, you can apply to different positions as your career progresses.
5. Start Your Career with a Job as a Medical Assistant
Now that you’ve landed your first job within the medical field, you’ll be earning a good salary and benefits, while doing a job that helps people in the community. From here, you can gain experience and branch into different career paths in the medical industry.
Salary and Job Outlook
Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2023 shows that medical assistants earned a median average wage of $42,000 and a median hourly wage of $20.19 nationally. The BLS projects that 118,000 jobs will be added between 2023 and 2033, a 15% increase of current jobs, which is much faster than average.
In California in May 2023, the average mean salary for medical assistants was $50,900 and the average mean hourly wage was $24.47.
Become a Medical Assistant in About 36 Weeks
If you’re looking to start your healthcare career, Campus Sacramento, formerly MTI College, has a medical assistant training program to help you start your career. In about 36 weeks, you will get the training you need to become a NCMA certified medical assistant and start your career. We also have a 48-week Medical Assisting with Phlebotomy certification program. For more information on the curriculum, start dates, and financial aid, contact our Admissions team or call 888-675-2460.