Many medical assistants (MA) work in different specializations including OB/GYN. Many medical assistants choose to work in women’s health because they enjoy helping patients and their community. If you’re considering working in obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) as a medical assistant, we want to show you a glimpse at what your work day might look like.
Where Do OB/GYN Medical Assistants Work?
Most medical assistants in OBB/GYN work in physician’s offices, well over half of them work in private practice offices. Many also work in the women’s health departments in hospitals and local medical centers, and a sizable percentage also work in outpatient clinics.
What Responsibilities Do OB/GYN Medical Assistants Have?
These are just a few of the things that medical assistants might do in an OB/GYN clinic.
Plan patient schedules and pre-charting. When the medical assistant first comes into work, they plan their day, look at the schedule of patient appointments, and do administrative prep work before the first patients of the day show up.
Stocking examination rooms. Before the day gets busy, the medical assistant makes sure all the exam rooms are fully stocked with speculums, pap smear supplies, ultrasound jelly, sheets, blankets, gauze, iodine, tampons, gowns, swabs and other supplies. The MA will also stock the cupboards with sample containers for biopsies and patient urine samples. They will also make sure each room has a portable blood pressure machine and fetal Doppler monitor so the doctor can listen to the baby’s heartbeat (for expecting mothers).
Sterilizing equipment. Medical assistants sanitize equipment continually throughout the day, making sure the equipment is ready for use by the physician.
Checking in patients. Patients should usually arrive 10 to 15 minutes before their scheduled appointment so they can fill out paperwork.
Taking vital signs. Medical assistants take vital signs like weight, blood pressure, and belly circumference for pregnant patients.
Collecting patient samples. Oftentimes, medical assistants must collect urine samples to test expecting patients for glucose and protein.
Administering vaccines. Pregnant women should get a TDAP vaccine (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis) during every pregnancy, preferably during the early part of the third trimester, to help protect their newborn from pertussis, which can be life-threatening to infants.
Help administer NST tests. For pregnant patients, a Non-Stress Test (NST) is given to test the well-being of the fetus and determine if there are any medical issues that require further attention or treatment. Medical assistants help with giving these tests to patients who are expecting.
Help physicians with biopsies. Experienced medical assistants will help obstetricians with biopsies if the patient needs further testing. An example of this would be an endometrial biopsy.
Giving patients injections. Pregnant patients who have a history of pre-term delivery may receive injections of progesterone, recommended by the physician. The medical assistants are often the ones who administer these injections to child-bearing patients.
Assisting with bedside ultrasounds. Pregnant patients have ultrasounds at regular intervals. Medical assistants help the physician with the ultrasound exams. The ultrasounds are usually done about every four weeks starting at 20 weeks of pregnancy. Higher-risk patients (advancing age mothers, low baby weight, other conditions indicated by diagnostics) may have ultrasounds more frequently to check on the health of the fetus.
Helping patients with birth control. Medical assistants are often responsible for ordering IUDs for patients, if the physician approves it for the patient. They may also give patients their Depo-Provera shot every three months (for birth control) if they have it scheduled.
Schedule STD checks if needed. If the patient has requested a STD screening, the medical assistant may schedule the patient and also draw blood for diagnostic testing (in most states). In California, some medical assistants also choose to go through a program for CPT I Phlebotomy certification.
Set follow up appointments. Patients that need a regularly scheduled appointment for a pap smear, an annual gynecology exam, or other exam, those will get scheduled on check out.
Updating patient records. The electronic health records for each patient will be updated by the medical assistant as part of their administrative duties.
Medical assistants in an OB/GYN medical office have a wide array of duties and responsibilities, but their work has a direct positive impact on their patients and their community.
Are You Ready to Start Your Medical Assisting Career?
If you’re ready to begin your healthcare career, Campus Sacramento has a comprehensive Medical Assisting training program that will give you the skills you need to succeed. You will learn the knowledge and skills you need to successfully complete clinical and administrative tasks that medical assistants do every day. On completion of the program, you’ll be ready to take the certification exam and become a certified medical assistant. For more information on flexible class schedules, start dates, and financial aid, contact our friendly Admissions team or call 888-675-2460.