What Does a Medical Assistant Do?
A medical assistant plays a key role in healthcare delivery by performing both clinical and administrative tasks to support physicians and ensure patients receive efficient, high-quality care. They are often the first point of contact for patients in outpatient or clinic settings, responsible for preparing exam rooms, collecting vital signs, documenting medical histories, and assisting during examinations or procedures. These assistants act as a bridge between the front office and the exam room, helping maintain smooth daily operations in fast-paced environments.
In addition to clinical responsibilities, medical assistants also handle administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments, managing patient records, handling insurance paperwork, and coordinating referrals. They work closely with doctors, nurses, and office staff to improve patient flow and contribute to a positive healthcare experience. Their ability to multitask, remain organized, and communicate clearly makes them a valuable asset to any healthcare team.
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Medical Assistant Core Responsibilities
- Greet patients and prepare them for exams
- Take and record vital signs, medical histories, and symptoms
- Assist physicians during exams and minor procedures
- Administer injections, perform EKGs, and collect lab specimens (where permitted)
- Prepare and clean exam rooms and equipment
- Schedule appointments and manage patient check-in/check-out
- Update and manage Electronic Health Records (EHR)
- Coordinate lab work, referrals, and insurance authorizations
- Maintain patient confidentiality and follow HIPAA guidelines
Required Skills and Qualifications
Hard skills
- Knowledge of basic clinical procedures (e.g., vitals, EKGs, injections)
- Proficiency with Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems
- Understanding of medical terminology, coding, and documentation
- Familiarity with front-office workflows and insurance processes
Soft skills
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Attention to detail and strong organizational habits
- Ability to multitask in a fast-paced clinical environment
- Compassionate and professional bedside manner
Education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Completion of a medical assisting program (required by most employers)
Certifications
- Required or preferred depending on employer/state:
- Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) – AAMA
- Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) – AMT
- National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) – NCCT
- Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) – NHA
- Recommended: BLS (Basic Life Support) or CPR certification
Preferred Qualifications
- 1–2 years of clinical experience in an outpatient or ambulatory setting
- Experience with specific EHR platforms (e.g., Epic, Cerner, eClinicalWorks)
- Bilingual skills, especially in Spanish, are highly valued
National Average Salary
Medical assistant salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. Click below to explore salaries by local market.
The average national salary for a Position is:
$123,456
Sample Job Description Templates for Medical Assistants
Certified Medical Assistant
Position Overview
We are hiring a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) to support both clinical and administrative functions in our outpatient care setting. This role is ideal for professionals with a current CMA credential who are committed to providing excellent patient care while maintaining operational efficiency.
Responsibilities
- Prepare patients for exams and procedures by taking vital signs and reviewing medical history
- Assist providers during patient assessments and minor office procedures
- Administer injections and perform EKGs and lab specimen collection (as permitted)
- Accurately document patient information in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) system
- Support administrative tasks including appointment scheduling, referrals, and authorizations
- Educate patients on medications, procedures, or follow-up care as directed by provider
- Maintain clean and fully stocked exam rooms and ensure infection control protocols
Requirements
Hard skills
- Knowledge of clinical procedures, medical terminology, and patient documentation
- Proficiency with EHR systems and front-office administrative tasks
- Ability to take vitals, perform basic lab work, and assist in clinical tasks
Soft skills
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy
- Excellent communication and patient service skills
- Team-oriented and dependable under pressure
Education
- Completion of an accredited medical assisting program
Certifications
- Required: Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) through AAMA or equivalent (RMA, CCMA, NCMA)
- Preferred: BLS or CPR certification
Preferred Qualifications
- 1–2 years of hands-on experience in a clinic or physician’s office
Pediatric Medical Assistant
Position Overview
We are seeking a Pediatric Medical Assistant to join our family-centered care team. This role supports physicians and nurses in delivering age-appropriate care for infants, children, and adolescents while maintaining a warm, welcoming environment for patients and families.
Responsibilities
- Prepare pediatric patients for exams and immunizations
- Take age-specific vital signs and growth measurements
- Assist with childhood vaccinations and medical procedures
- Document health information accurately in the EHR
- Support scheduling, check-ins, and parent communications
- Comfort and engage with children to reduce anxiety during visits
- Maintain infection control and childproofing standards in exam rooms
Requirements
Hard skills
- Experience with pediatric growth charts, vaccine schedules, and pediatric care protocols
- Familiarity with EHR and pediatric coding/documentation
Soft skills
- Compassionate communication with both children and parents
- Ability to create a calm and friendly environment
- Patience and attentiveness in high-stress or emotional situations
Education
- High school diploma and completion of a medical assistant program
Certifications
- Preferred: CMA, RMA, or CCMA
- Recommended: BLS certification, especially with pediatric focus
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior experience in a pediatric or family medicine practice
Family Practice Medical Assistant
Position Overview
We are hiring a Family Practice Medical Assistant to support primary care providers in delivering routine and preventive care to patients across all age groups. This position requires strong multitasking skills, clinical flexibility, and an approachable demeanor.
Responsibilities
- Assist with patient check-ins, vital signs, and medical history intake
- Support a variety of procedures including wound care, injections, and screenings
- Administer vaccines and collect specimens for lab testing
- Document patient encounters in the EHR accurately and in real time
- Help coordinate patient follow-up care, referrals, and prescriptions
- Support both front-desk and back-office operations as needed
Requirements
Hard skills
- Broad understanding of clinical workflows across diverse age ranges
- Proficiency in EHR, patient scheduling, and chart preparation
- Clinical skills including vitals, injections, and specimen handling
Soft skills
- Adaptability in a fast-paced, multi-provider environment
- Clear communication with patients of all ages and backgrounds
- Excellent teamwork and time management
Education
- High school diploma and completion of a medical assistant training program
Certifications
- Preferred: CMA, RMA, or CCMA
- Recommended: CPR/BLS certification
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working in a family or internal medicine practice
Lead Medical Assistant
Position Overview
We are seeking a Lead Medical Assistant to oversee daily clinical operations, coordinate workflows, and mentor a team of medical assistants. This hands-on leadership role includes direct patient care responsibilities while supporting training, quality standards, and performance improvement.
Responsibilities
- Oversee daily task distribution and team scheduling
- Serve as the point of contact for clinical concerns and issue resolution
- Assist providers with patient assessments and minor procedures
- Monitor adherence to infection control and patient safety protocols
- Train and onboard new medical assistants
- Audit EHR entries and ensure clinical documentation compliance
- Support supply ordering, inventory management, and equipment checks
Requirements
Hard skills
- Advanced clinical competency including injections, EKGs, and triage protocols
- Familiarity with EHR workflows, task delegation, and quality audits
Soft skills
- Leadership and conflict resolution skills
- Strong mentorship and coaching ability
- Ability to multitask across patient care and team management
Education
- Completion of an accredited medical assistant program
Certifications
- Required: CMA, RMA, or CCMA
- Recommended: BLS/CPR certification
Preferred Qualifications
- 3+ years of clinical experience with at least 1 year in a lead or senior role
Medical Assistant Supervisor
Position Overview
We are hiring a Medical Assistant Supervisor to manage a team of MAs across multiple providers or departments. This leadership position is responsible for staffing, compliance, workflow optimization, and maintaining high standards of patient care and clinic efficiency.
Responsibilities
- Supervise daily operations of the medical assistant team
- Conduct performance evaluations and implement improvement plans
- Ensure proper documentation, scheduling, and patient flow
- Coordinate with physicians, nurses, and administrators to resolve clinical issues
- Oversee training programs and compliance with safety protocols
- Manage inventory and equipment needs for clinical operations
- Participate in hiring and onboarding of clinical support staff
Requirements
Hard skills
- Thorough knowledge of outpatient workflows, regulatory compliance, and clinical procedures
- Strong documentation and EHR management skills
- Proficient in staff scheduling and resource allocation
Soft skills
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving under pressure
- Leadership and team development capabilities
- Clear and professional communication across departments
Education
- Completion of a certified medical assistant program
- Associate’s degree or higher preferred
Certifications
- Required: CMA, RMA, or CCMA
- Recommended: BLS certification
Preferred Qualifications
- 5+ years of clinical experience with 2+ years in a supervisory or leadership role