Medical assistants may answer telephones, update and file patient records, fill out insurance forms, schedule appointments, handle correspondence, arrange for hospital admission and laboratory services and handle billing and bookkeeping. Clinical duties vary according to state law, but may include taking medical histories, recording vital signs and providing preoperative and postoperative instructions. Education Programs usually last one year, resulting in a certificate or diploma or two years, resulting in an associate degree.
Most medical assistants work in physician offices.
Others work in hospitals, nursing homes and other health care facilities.