Medical Assistant

Duties and responsibilities: Assessments involve checking a patient’s vital signs, performing a physical exam and obtaining the patient’s medical history. Vital signs include blood pressure, pulse, breathing rate and temperature. The physical exam involves measuring height and weight, as well as looking for deformities or irregularities on the patient’s body. A medical assistant obtains a medical history by asking patients questions about their medical conditions, medications and allergies. The MA records any findings into the patient charts and alerts the physician of the results.

Salary: $32,754

Education: Medical assistants take vital signs, maintain records and schedule appointments in hospitals, physicians' offices and other health-care settings. Some medical assistants perform clinical tasks, such as taking X-rays or giving injections, depending on their qualifications and state law. The minimum education for a medical assistant is a high school diploma. However, some states require training or examinations for those who do clinical work, and some employers prefer assistants with training or certification.

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