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histories and recording patient vital signs, explaining treatment procedures to patients, preparing the patients for their examination, and assisting the doctor during the examination. Medical assistants collect and prepare laboratory specimens or perform basic laboratory tests on the premises, dispose of contaminated supplies, and sterilize medical instruments. They also instruct patients about medications, special diets, prepare and administer medications as directed by a physician, authorize drug refills as directed, telephone prescriptions to a pharmacy, draw blood, prepare patients for x rays, take electrocardiograms, remove sutures, and change dressings. They may also arrange examining-room instruments and equipment, purchase and maintain supplies and equipment, and keep waiting and examining rooms neat and clean.

Some assistants may specialize in particular healthcare areas and would have additional duties to perform. Medical assistants do not examine, diagnose, or treat patients, as a physician's assistant would.

Future career advancements may include advancing to office manager. Some may qualify for a variety of administrative support occupations or may opt to teach medical assisting. With additional education and cerifications, some may advance into other health career occupations, such as nursing and medical technology. Since the preference of many healthcare employers are for trained personnel, job prospects should be best for medical assistants with formal training, experience and particularly for those with accredited certification.

Greg Smith publishes information on medical career issues at http://www.teddycare.com/Medical_Careers/. Visit the Health Information Resources site at http://www.teddycare.com/. This article may be freely reprinted as long as the author's resource box and url links remain intact.