Medical Assistant

Field of Study — Medicine

Medical assistants assist physicians with patient care and office administration. Specific duties may include:

recording patients’ vital signs and measurements.
scheduling appointments.
coordinating records with insurers, hospitals and labs.
performing general secretarial and bookkeeping tasks.
preparing treatment rooms for exams.
helping operate some medical equipment.
giving non-intravenous injections and performing venipuncture.
performing basic laboratory procedures, such as urinalysis and pregnancy tests.
performing electrocardiography, first aid and CPR.

Educational Requirements

Students interested in this career should take challenging high school courses in science, math and English. Those interested in becoming medical assistants also should consider courses in secretarial skills, computer training and bookkeeping. This profession may require certification, which includes completing educational requirements and passing an exam specific to the career.

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Educational Institutions

Professional Associations

American Association of Medical Assistants
(312) 899-1500
http://www.aama-ntl.org

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Average Salary Range

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Medical Assistant

Educational Requirements

Educational Institutions

Virginia Colleges and Universities

Virginia Community Colleges

Virginia Hospitals and Health Care Facilities

Virginia Proprietary Schools

Virginia Vocational Schools

Professional Associations