Day in the Life of a Medical Assistant

Medical Assistants’ jobs can vary from practice to practice; whether it is a large medical office, a specialty office, a hospital, or a small private medical office, most Medical Assistants (MAs) carry out similar tasks. A medical office typically has a lead MA who can help direct and assist the others if any issues arise. Additional MAs are assigned to a specific provider(s). Finally, at least one float MA who can complete phlebotomy (if there are no on-site phlebotomists) and vaccination appointments may be available. In this way, Medical Assistants work together to help ensure the office runs smoothly daily. 

When the Medical Assistant first arrives and clocks in, they will typically go through the day's schedule and find out which provider they are working with, then check in with that provider. Some offices will have the MA “scrub” or review the charts before checking in with the provider, while others do not; some providers prefer to “scrub” with the MA so they are on the same page. While checking in, it is important to note whether the provider wants specific paperwork handed to the patient at the beginning of the appointment or if any lab tests should be started before the patient sees the provider. For example, if there is an HPI in the patient's chart that says X amount of days late on their menstrual cycle, the provider may want a pregnancy test done so they can come into the room and give the results to the patient; some lab tests (urinalysis, pregnancy tests, and Hemoglobin A1c) can be initiated before the patient sees the provider. Following the initial check-in with the provider, the MA will prepare the patient exam rooms and ensure all equipment and supplies are ready and stocked for the day. 

In smaller or private offices, the MA will typically need to be able to cover administrative and clinical responsibilities. A Medical Assistant may have a specific job in the office, like keeping an inventory of medical supplies and laboratory equipment and ordering more when stock is running low. Additionally, the MA may be responsible for sterilizing surgical equipment, a crucial step in the provider’s ability to perform many of the necessary clinical procedures. The MA must clean the instruments in a special chemical solution, put them in sterile bags, and use an autoclave to sterilize them.

Medical offices receive daily phone calls and faxes that must be addressed promptly. MAs will be responsible for or assist with answering phone calls in some offices. Some calls are for appointment scheduling; however, patients frequently call with a medical question for the provider, to request results, or with billing questions. These questions can be noted and placed in provider boxes or an EMR system to which the Medical Assistant has access. During “downtime” between patient appointments, the MA will address patient calls and faxes, respond to patients with results, and answer their questions once the provider has sent them back with an answer. 

The Medical Assistant’s primary job is to collect vitals for each patient who comes in and to do any aftercare the provider orders. Vitals can include weight, height, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, pulse, respiration, vision, and temperature. Aftercare can include immunizations, injections, blood draws, medication administration, ear lavages, and more. Once the patient is done with their appointment, you may need to schedule them for a follow-up appointment, especially if you are in a small private office. Once the patient has left, the MA will need to clean the exam room, wiping all surfaces and clearing any instruments that may have been used.

Finally, the Medical Assistant will have end-of-the-day tasks to perform. This may include prepping laboratory specimens for pick up or drop off and scrubbing the charts for the appointments scheduled the following day. Cleaning the exam rooms in the evening is also a requirement of the MA in many offices. They must finish all paperwork and complete all prescription requests before leaving for the day. Medical Assistants’ specific tasks often look different from day to day, especially when working with multiple providers or in various roles. MAs should be flexible and accept change to succeed in the medical field.