Projections of Employment

Medical Assistants greet patients in medical offices or other medical settings where they help doctors with examinations and treatments. They run routine lab tests such as urinalysis and blood counts. They may take blood pressure readings and take temperatures. They may give injections or perform ‘finger sticks’ to draw small amounts of blood if they are properly trained. Assistants may instruct patients about medication and self-treatment. They prepare treatment rooms for patient examinations and sterilize and arrange instruments and equipment used in treatment and diagnosis. They check office and lab supplies and keep the waiting, consulting, and examination rooms neat and orderly.

 

Medical Assistants deal with patients from many cultures. To obtain information for the doctor, Medical Assistants need the ability to put patients at ease and get them to talk freely. This is especially important with patients who are reluctant to discuss their reason for seeing the doctor and those with limited English-speaking skills.