A medical assistant can work in a variety of places in the healthcare field. That’s because the work they do is vital to keeping things organized and operating. They help a variety of patients and their colleagues every day. Before we get to where medical assistants can work, let’s start with the duties they perform. It’s important to keep in mind the job expectations of a medical assistant can vary by location, specialty, and employer.
The basic tasks a medical assistant may perform no matter where they work include:
- Recording patient medical histories
- Scheduling appointments
- Measuring patient vital signs
- Entering patient information into medical records
- Maintaining medical and office supply inventory
- Answering phone calls and patient questions
- Giving information to other healthcare workers
Again, there may be more or less responsibilities depending on where you work as a medical assistant.
Learn more about Dorsey College’s Medical Assistant training program!
Where do medical assistants work?
Medical assistants work in almost every type of healthcare setting. No matter where they work, medical assistants spend a lot of time standing or walking. They also spend a lot of time on a computer performing administrative tasks. If that type of work environment sounds good to you, it might be a fun career option to explore. Where can you find work as a medical assistant? The majority of medical assistants (56%) work in doctor’s offices. That’s according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Other medical assistants work in hospitals, clinics, and outpatient care centers. 1
Hospitals
Medical assistants play a crucial role in hospitals and emergency rooms. They keep things operating through their important administrative tasks like:
- Gathering patient information
- Giving information to other hospital staff or a patient’s loved ones
- Checking patients in
- Scheduling surgeries
- Diagnostic imaging
If you want to work as a medical assistant in a hospital, it’s important to know how to handle pressure and stressful emergency situations.
Clinics
There are a variety of specialized clinics where you can work as a medical assistant. Medical assistants work in dialysis centers, pediatric clinics, obstetrics/gynecology, psychiatry, and more. If you want to work as a medical assistant in a clinic, you may need some specialized training. You’ll need that in addition to learning the typical administrative and clinical job duties.
Outpatient clinics
An outpatient clinic is a bit different than the specialized clinics we mentioned. If you work in an outpatient clinic as a medical assistant, you’re likely helping patients with:
- Same-day surgeries
- Psychiatric outpatient care
- Medical research
- Testing
There are outpatient clinics that perform services for patients that need something more invasive than a traditional doctor’s office can perform, but not something so serious that it requires an overnight hospital stay. In this setting, medical assistants help patients with scheduling appointments, pre- and post-op recovery, insurance coverage, and more.
Who medical assistants work with
As you can see, a medical assistant is an important member of any healthcare team. Their attention to detail, organization, and analytical skills are necessary for the success of their workplace and patients. Communication and active listening are two more critical skills you’ll need. That’s because medical assistants will spend the majority of their day working with patients. They will gather and log information and provide important updates to a variety of healthcare workers including:
- Doctors
- Nurses
- Physician assistants
- CNAs
- Other medical assistants
- Paramedics and EMTs
Take the first step towards a new career!
No matter where you work, you’ll need to complete a medical assistant training program or certificate. When researching programs, make sure the medical assistant training you choose covers key concepts you’ll need for success. This includes anatomy, medical terminology, pharmacology, and administrative work. A bonus in a medical assistant program is an externship. This gives you the chance to obtain experience as a medical assistant in a hospital, doctor’s office, clinic, or somewhere else.
Exploring medical assistant training in Detroit Michigan and the surrounding areas
If you’re ready to start your medical assistant career in Michigan, Dorsey College offers an exciting program that can be completed in just one year. Instruction happens both in the classroom and in campus labs where you can practice the skills you learn. In addition, the Medical Assistant program includes an externship during the final module of training. The Dorsey College Medical Assistant program is also a great option for people with families or busy schedules because it offers flexible class schedules, and the program is delivered in hybrid format.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, EMTs and Paramedics, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/emts-and-paramedics.htm (visited May 20, 2024).
