By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    medicine cabinet
    The Effect Of Finished Dosage Form Manufacturing In New Drugs
    July 5, 2022
    Improved Digestion
    Five tips to boost digestion and metabolism
    November 4, 2022
    health insurance for young adults
    Benefits of Buying Health Insurance for Your Adults
    January 12, 2023
    Latest News
    7 Most Common Healthcare Accreditation Programs: Which Should You Use?
    August 20, 2025
    Hospital Pest Control and the Fight Against Superbugs
    August 20, 2025
    Hygiene Beyond The Clinic: Attention To Overlooked Non-Clinical Spaces
    August 13, 2025
    5 Steps to a Promising Career as a Healthcare Administrator
    August 3, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    CMS Reports on Provider Performance
    June 7, 2011
    Sweet!! The Secret Branding of Sugar Substitutes
    February 22, 2012
    Everything We Are Doing in Health Policy May Be Completely Wrong
    July 26, 2011
    Latest News
    How Social Security Disability Shapes Access to Care and Everyday Health
    August 22, 2025
    How a DUI Lawyer Can Help When Your Future Health Feels Uncertain
    August 22, 2025
    How One Fall Can Lead to a Long Road of Medical Complications
    August 22, 2025
    How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
    July 17, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: What Do Medical Assistants Do On a Day to Day Basis?
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Technology > Medical Innovations > What Do Medical Assistants Do On a Day to Day Basis?
HealthMedical Innovations

What Do Medical Assistants Do On a Day to Day Basis?

Howard Luks
Howard Luks
Share
6 Min Read
medical assistants
Shutterstock Licensed Photo - 1894297327
SHARE

If you are thinking about pursuing a medical career that does not require lengthy degrees and costly fees, a medical assistant (MA) may be a good fit.

Contents
  • What Is A Medical Assistant?
  • What Does It Take to Become a Medical Assistant?
  • What Do Medical Assistants Do On A Day To Day Basis?
    •  1. Administrative Duties
    • 2. Patient Support
    • 3. Taking Vital Signs
    • 4. Drawing Blood
    • Conclusion

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), MAs take home around $17.75 per hour, which translates to around $36,930 per year. Better still, the job growth for MAs in the United States is expected to expand by 18% between 2020 and 2030.

That means you can never go wrong if you choose a career as a medical assistant. But what does a medical assistant do on a day-to-day basis? Keep reading to learn more about the job of a medical assistant, including educational requirements and daily duties.

What Is A Medical Assistant?

An MA is a professional who helps physicians and other healthcare providers with different administrative and clinical chores. They often work in a health care center, doctor’s clinics, outpatient facilities, and mobile healthcare institutions. 

More Read

#ThinkFurther: The Future of Medicine [VIDEO]
Aesthetics and Reconstructive Surgery: A Market in Transformation
7 Healthcare Trends to Watch Out for in the Remainder of 2014
POLL RESULTS: What is the single greatest health benefit afforded by Digital Health solutions?
How Long Does It Take For Botox to Wear Off?

What Does It Take to Become a Medical Assistant?

To start your career as a medical assistant, you need at least a high school diploma. However, acquiring professional training in medical assisting will be more beneficial as most employers prefer to hire candidates with certification, diploma, or associate degree.

Therefore, you must ensure the institution you want to join is accredited and recognized across the country. If you are not sure what to choose, this medical assistant program can help you prepare for your future career in the medical field.

Keep in mind that being competent, dependable, and trustworthy will give you an added edge in the eyes of potential employers.

What Do Medical Assistants Do On A Day To Day Basis?

Medical assistants often perform various administrative and clinical functions as part of their job responsibilities. While the job demands may vary from one healthcare institution to another, an average day for a medical assistant may entail performing the following duties: 

 1. Administrative Duties

The main job of a medical assistant is to make the work of a medical practitioner easier. In other words, an MA reviews the doctor’s calendar and adds more patients’ appointments if the physician has extra time.

A medical assistant will often use a computer to check the patient records, update them as appropriate, and review medical histories. As a result, their job may sometimes extend to reminding patients of their upcoming appointments via phone, text message, or email.

In some facilities, the MA may be responsible for handling medical billing, insurance issues, and maintaining records for new supplies, medical equipment, and office furniture and equipment. 

2. Patient Support

Medical assistants sometimes perform patient support duties on top of booking patients’ appointments. These include welcoming patients to the health center, inquiring about their health problems and symptoms, analyzing their ailments, and comparing them with the patients’ medical histories.

In some instances, a medical assistant may assist the patient in getting to the examination room and preparing for the doctor’s examination. They will also need to interact with the patients’ family members to keep them updated. 

Because of the frequent and direct encounters with patients, doctors, and other people, MAs must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills. The ability to chat with patients and discuss their treatment process may help reduce their fears and increase their confidence. 

Additionally, having a caring personality and the ability to put patients and their families at ease will be beneficial when working as a medical assistant. 

3. Taking Vital Signs

Taking vital signs may be another fundamental role of medical assistants. Simply put, a medical assistant will be, in some facilities, responsible for taking patients’ vital signs when they arrive at the doctor’s office. These include signs like blood pressure, respiratory rate, pulse rate, and body temperature.

As they gain experience, medical assistants may have the skills to take vital signs in a medical office lab. Doctors often rely on the highlighted vital signs when diagnosing or identifying the patient’s medical issues. 

4. Drawing Blood

Doctors perform blood tests to look for disorders like diabetes or cancer or assess the functionality of a specific organ.

That means medical assistants may sometimes help the doctor perform simple procedures such as drawing and preparing blood samples for laboratory testing. MAs may also come in handy in helping the patients relax, especially when they are afraid of seeing blood or a needle.

Conclusion

Medical assistants will often work hand in hand with physicians and other medical professionals. Therefore, they must be able to follow the doctor’s directions to the letter to be successful in this role. 

In addition, medical assistants must be well versed in medical code, clinical pharmacology and know how to comply with OSHA and other medical regulations.

TAGGED:medical assistants
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

engineer fitting prosthetic arm
How Social Security Disability Shapes Access to Care and Everyday Health
Health care
August 20, 2025
a woman explaining the document
How a DUI Lawyer Can Help When Your Future Health Feels Uncertain
Public Health
August 20, 2025
physiotherapist at work
How One Fall Can Lead to a Long Road of Medical Complications
Health care
August 20, 2025
Common Healthcare Accreditation Programs
7 Most Common Healthcare Accreditation Programs: Which Should You Use?
Health News
August 20, 2025

You Might also Like

Alzheimer’s Drug Development: An Avant-Garde Approach

August 15, 2013
Helen M. Simpson Rehabilitation Hospital
Hospital AdministrationMedical InnovationsPublic HealthTechnology

IT Helps Smooth Transitions of Care

June 24, 2014

Immuno-oncology: The Challenging Road Ahead

February 5, 2015
relationship health
HealthRelationship and Lifestyle

Manage Your Health More Effectively With This Uncommon Advice

January 21, 2024
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?