Medical Assistant Program
Medical Assistants perform routine tasks and procedures such as measuring patients’ vital signs, administering medications and injections, recording information in medical records-keeping systems, preparing and handling medical instruments and supplies, and collecting and preparing specimens of bodily fluids and tissues for laboratory testing. Medical Assistants find employment in ambulatory care centers, urgent care facilities, clinics, private & public hospitals as well as inpatient and outpatient facilities.
Medical assistants perform administrative duties which include:
Answering telephones
Greeting patients
Updating and filing patients’ medical records
Filling out insurance forms
Handling correspondence
Scheduling appointments
Arranging for hospital admission
Coordinating laboratory services
Handling billing and book keeping
Medical assistants perform clinical duties which include:
Taking medical histories
Recording vital signs
Explaining treatment procedures to patients
Preparing patients for examination
Assisting during diagnostic examinations
Collecting & preparing laboratory specimens
Performing basic laboratory tests
Disposing of contaminated supplies
Sterilizing medical instruments
Instructing patients about medications and special diets
Preparing & administering medications as directed
Authorizing drug refills as directed
Telephoning prescriptions to a pharmacy
Drawing blood
Preparing patients for x-rays
Taking electrocardiograms
Removing sutures
Changing dressings
