Medical Assistants
Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by physician.
At a Glance
Medical Assistants earns a median of $44,200/yr with +12.5% projected growth. Typical entry: Postsecondary nondegree award. Top skills: Dependability, Getting Information, English Language.
$44,200/yr
+12.5%
112
Postsecondary nondegree award
Skills & Requirements
Skills (10)
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Knowledge (6)
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Abilities (11)
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Technology (11)
Work Activities (29)
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
Work Styles (3)
A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related obligations.
Careers with Overlapping Skills
These occupations share the most skills. A career transition between them means many of your skills transfer directly.
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
Office and Administrative Support · 203 shared skills
Office Clerks, General
Office and Administrative Support · 202 shared skills
Medical and Health Services Managers
Management · 202 shared skills
Patient Representatives
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical · 201 shared skills
Accountants and Auditors
Business and Financial Operations · 200 shared skills
Registered Nurses
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical · 200 shared skills
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
Office and Administrative Support · 200 shared skills
Receptionists and Information Clerks
Office and Administrative Support · 199 shared skills
Explore Key Skills
Frequently Asked Questions
Want to build these skills?
Sign up to find courses that teach these skills, track your progress, and build a skills passport aligned to Medical Assistants.
Get Started Free