Reasons for expansion include the increased medical needs of an aging population, more diagnostic testing, a rise in the number of health practitioners, and increased amount and complexity of paperwork. The duties of medical assistants vary from office to office, depending on office location, size, and specialty.
Medical assistants perform many clerical duties.
They answer telephones, greet patients, update and file patient medical records, and fill out insurance forms. They handle correspondence, schedule appointments, arrange for hospital admission and laboratory services, and handle billing and bookkeeping. Medical assistants collect and prepare laboratory specimens or perform basic laboratory tests on the premises. They dispose of contaminated supplies and sterilize medical instruments. They instruct patients about medication and special diets, prepare and administer medications as directed by a physician, authorize drug refills as directed, and telephone prescriptions to a pharmacy.