HOC Course/Job Descriptions/Medical Assistant/Clinical

Annual Salary Range in San Diego County: $22,000-$30,000

Job Description:
Medical Assisting is a fast growing and in-demand profession. The duties of the Administrative Medical Assistant vary from office to office, depending on the location and size of the practice and the practitioner’s specialty.

Medical assistants perform administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians and other health practitioners running smoothly. The duties of medical assistants vary from office to office, depending on the location and size of the practice and the practitioner’s specialty. In small practices, medical assistants usually are generalists, handling both administrative and clinical duties and reporting directly to an office manager, physician, or other health practitioner. Those in large practices tend to specialize in a particular area.

Clinical duties vary, and include: taking medical histories and recording vital signs; explaining treatment procedures to patients; preparing patients for examinations; and assisting the physician during the examination. Medical assistants collect and prepare laboratory specimens or perform basic laboratory tests, dispose of contaminated supplies, and sterilize medical instruments. They instruct patients about medications and special diets, prepare and administer medications as directed by a physician, authorize drug refills as directed, telephone prescriptions to a pharmacy, draw blood, prepare patients for x rays, take electrocardiograms, remove sutures, and change dressings. Medical assistants also may arrange examining room instruments and equipment, purchase and maintain supplies and equipment, and keep waiting and examining rooms neat and clean.

Health Occupations Center offers Medical Assistant/Clinical classes in the Fall and Spring semesters. Please click on the Class Schedule for dates and times of the next classes or call 619-596-3690 for more information.

Health Occupations Center – Setting the Standard in Healthcare Excellence