The Medical Assistant is a link between health care providers and their patients, their professional associates, and the suppliers of equipment and medications. The Medical Assistant is the team member who assists the qualified provider in the office or other medical setting, performing  administrative and/or clinical duties.

Demand for the Medical Assistant may also occur in business or industrial health centers, health insurance companies and emergency care centers. The Medical Assistant has a wide range of duties supportive to the provider’s practice. Business/administrative duties include scheduling and receiving patients, obtaining patient information, maintaining medical records, maintaining supplies and  equipment, and assuming responsibility for office care, insurance matters, office accounts, fees and collections. Medically related duties include assisting with examinations and treatments, taking health histories, performing certain diagnostic tests, carrying out laboratory procedures and sterilizing instruments and equipment.