What does a medical assistant do?
A medical assistant works in a medical setting like a physician’s office and performs primarily administrative tasks. A good candidate may be required to have some knowledge of medical terminology and processes. They mainly focus on running and maintaining the office and sometimes may perform minor clinical procedures for patients.
The job description for a medical assistant may vary depending on the size of the practice. For example, they may be responsible for a larger range of office duties in a small practice. In a larger practice, there may be a receptionist or administrative assistant to manage the office duties, and the medical assistant may focus more on specialized tasks, such as interacting with patients, performing some clinical procedures, and managing health records. Clinical procedures could include recording vital signs, disinfecting instruments and exam rooms, and taking height and weight measurements.
Medical assistant skills and qualifications
A successful medical assistant may have various skills and qualifications matching the prerequisites for your job opening, including:
- interpersonal skills like empathy, friendliness, and the ability to build a rapport with patients
- strong verbal communication and active listening skills
- knowledge of medical terminology
- time management skills for managing patients and workflow in a busy environment
- basic computer skills like word processing, scheduling software, and electronic filing systems
- problem-solving skills and the ability to respond to unexpected challenges
- organizational abilities for managing appointments, deadlines, and patient files
Medical assistant experience requirements
The experience required for a medical assistant role may vary depending on the size of your practice and the job responsibilities. Some roles that require more technical knowledge may require more experience in the field. If the role you are hiring for focuses mainly on administrative duties, it may require office experience but not medical expertise. Consider your top priorities for the job and design the experience requirements accordingly.
Medical assistant education and training requirements
The educational requirements for a medical assistant may vary from job to job, depending on the role. Many Canadian colleges offer training programs for medical assistants, such as medical transcription, medical terminology, and health record management.
Medical assistant salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a medical assistant is $52,980 per year in Canada. Salaries can vary based on experience, location and company.
Job description samples for similar positions
If this medical assistant job description sample information doesn’t match your company’s specific employment needs, consider these job descriptions for similar positions:
Medical assistant job description FAQs
What qualities does a successful medical assistant have?
Specific soft skills can contribute to the success of a medical assistant. In addition to the skills listed above, a good candidate may have emotional resilience to help them cope with patients who might be upset or distressed. People who enjoy helping others often do well as medical assistants because interacting with patients is key to the job.
What is the difference between a medical assistant and a physician assistant?
A medical assistant may perform basic clinical duties like taking weight and height measurements, recording vital signs like temperature and blood pressure, and disinfecting instruments and exam rooms. They may also coordinate specialist consultations and lab tests. Physician assistants are regulated professionals who work alongside physicians and actively participate in patient care. For example, a medical assistant does not draw blood from patients, perform lab tests, or operate medical diagnostic equipment, whereas a physician assistant does.
What makes for a good medical assistant job description?
A well-written medical assistant job description provides specific details about the position and describes duties and responsibilities clearly and concisely. Depending on your business needs, there may be additional tasks or qualifications for the role of a medical assistant. Use this guide as a starting point for your customized job description.
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