Occupation · SOC 31-9092
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.
Median wage
$44,200
$35,020–$57,830
Projected growth
+12.5%
Faster than average
Annual openings
10,120
per year
Employed (US)
793,460
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
449 mapped
Core skills
Social PerceptivenessSpeakingActive ListeningReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingCoordinationService OrientationMonitoring
Knowledge areas
English LanguageCustomer and Personal ServiceMedicine and DentistryAdministrativeComputers and Electronics
Technology & tools
Calendar and scheduling softwareBilling and invoicing softwareAccounting softwareOffice suite softwareData base user interface and query software
Representative tasks
Clean and sterilize instruments and dispose of contaminated supplies.Interview patients to obtain medical information and measure their vital signs, weight, and height.Explain treatment procedures, medications, diets, or physicians' instructions to patients.Record patients' medical history, vital statistics, or information such as test results in medical records.Prepare treatment rooms for patient examinations, keeping the rooms neat and clean.Collect blood, tissue, or other laboratory specimens, log the specimens, and prepare them for testing.Show patients to examination rooms and prepare them for the physician.Help physicians examine and treat patients, handing them instruments or materials or performing such tasks as giving injections or removing sutures.Perform routine laboratory tests and sample analyses.Greet and log in patients arriving at office or clinic.Perform general office duties, such as answering telephones, taking dictation, or completing insurance forms.Prepare and administer medications as directed by a physician.Authorize drug refills and provide prescription information to pharmacies.Change dressings on wounds.Schedule appointments for patients.Inventory and order medical, lab, or office supplies or equipment.Contact medical facilities or departments to schedule patients for tests or admission.Operate x-ray, electrocardiogram (EKG), or other equipment to administer routine diagnostic tests.Set up medical laboratory equipment.Keep financial records or perform other bookkeeping duties, such as handling credit or collections or mailing monthly statements to patients.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Patient vital signs and height/weight measurements — collect and record under direct supervision using clinic-standard protocols in an outpatient medical office.Examination rooms — prepare and maintain in a neat, clean, and properly stocked condition following step-by-step checklists provided by senior staff.Patients — escort from waiting areas to examination rooms and position them appropriately under the guidance of a supervising clinician.Medical history intake forms — complete by interviewing patients using scripted questions in a primary care or specialty clinic setting.Instruments and reusable supplies — clean and sterilize following established infection-control procedures under direct staff oversight.Laboratory specimens such as blood and tissue samples — collect, label, and log using learned venipuncture or swab techniques under close supervision.Electronic health record (EHR) software — enter basic patient data including vital statistics and test results following a structured data-entry workflow.Physician instructions and treatment procedures — relay to patients in plain language using facility-approved scripted explanations.Contaminated supplies and sharps — dispose of safely in designated containers in accordance with OSHA and facility safety guidelines.Calendar and scheduling software — use to locate and confirm patient appointments under the direction of administrative or clinical supervisors.
developing
Patient medical histories and vital statistics — gather and document accurately with minimal oversight using clinic EHR systems in a busy ambulatory care environment.Examination rooms and procedure trays — set up independently for a variety of routine patient visits, applying knowledge of physician preferences and exam types.Patients with diverse needs — interview, prioritize, and prepare for physician encounters by applying active listening and social perceptiveness in a multi-provider practice.Clinical instruments and materials — hand to physicians during routine examinations and minor procedures, anticipating needs based on familiarity with common workflows.Injections and suture removals — perform under established standing orders, applying learned clinical technique with appropriate attention to patient safety.Specimen collection and preparation workflows — manage independently, ensuring proper labeling, logging, and timely transport to laboratory services.Treatment instructions, medication details, and dietary guidance — explain to patients with varying health literacy levels using clear verbal and written communication.Medical software and billing platforms — use routinely to support accurate coding, invoicing, and administrative documentation in a clinical office setting.Sterilization and instrument-management cycles — monitor and document to ensure ongoing compliance with infection-control standards across a full clinic day.Time and patient flow — coordinate across multiple examination rooms by applying scheduling awareness and organizational skills in a high-volume practice.
proficient
Complex or non-routine patient histories — obtain and synthesize autonomously, applying critical thinking to flag clinically significant information for the supervising physician.Full clinical intake processes — execute independently across a broad scope of patient populations and visit types in a multi-specialty or fast-paced ambulatory setting.Deviations from normal vital signs or patient-reported symptoms — recognize and escalate appropriately by applying problem sensitivity and clinical judgment.Patient education sessions covering procedures, medications, and diets — deliver effectively using tailored communication strategies matched to individual health literacy and cultural background.Specimen collection irregularities and chain-of-custody issues — identify and resolve proactively, ensuring laboratory integrity and regulatory compliance.EHR documentation across visit types — complete accurately and efficiently, applying knowledge of medical terminology, coding conventions, and document management best practices.Infection-control and safety protocols — evaluate adherence across the clinical environment and implement corrective actions without supervisory direction.Minor clinical procedures such as injections, wound care, and suture removal — perform proficiently across a full range of routine cases, adapting technique to patient-specific factors.Office suite, spreadsheet, and database tools — leverage to compile patient data reports, track quality metrics, and support practice administration in a clinical office context.Interdisciplinary care coordination — facilitate by communicating clearly with physicians, nurses, specialists, and administrative staff to ensure seamless patient transitions.
advanced
Medical assistant onboarding and competency programs — design and implement to standardize clinical and administrative skill development across an entire clinic or health system.Clinical workflow improvements and operational standards — lead by analyzing practice data, identifying inefficiencies, and directing process redesign in a multi-provider ambulatory environment.Junior and mid-level medical assistants — mentor and evaluate using structured feedback, competency assessments, and learning strategies that accelerate professional growth.Patient safety and infection-control policies — establish and champion at the organizational level, ensuring alignment with OSHA, HIPAA, and accreditation requirements.Complex problem-solving involving patient flow, staffing, and resource allocation — direct by applying advanced judgment and decision-making across a high-volume clinical operation.Cross-functional teams of clinical and administrative staff — coordinate to optimize service delivery, patient satisfaction, and regulatory compliance throughout the organization.Technology adoption including EHR upgrades, scheduling platforms, and medical software — lead by evaluating solutions, driving implementation, and training staff in a healthcare support environment.Quality and performance metrics for clinical support services — establish, monitor, and report to leadership, translating data into strategic recommendations for practice improvement.Organizational integrity and ethical standards in patient care and documentation — model and enforce, serving as a senior resource for staff navigating complex or sensitive clinical situations.Public safety, emergency preparedness, and security protocols for clinical settings — develop and oversee to ensure staff readiness and patient protection across all care environments.
Also known as
188 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Medical Specialist Corps Officer (Army 65)Diagnostic Imaging Helper, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (Air Force 4R011C)Patient Administration Specialist (Army 68G)Surgical Technologist Craftsman, Orthopedics (Air Force 4N171C)Pediatric Medical AssistantNuclear Medicine Technologist (Navy L09A)Fleet Marine Force Reconnaissance Independent Duty Corpsman (Navy 001317)Surgical Technologist Helper (Air Force 4N111)Surgical Technologist Craftsman, Urology (Air Force 4N171B)Surgical Technologist Apprentice (Air Force 4N131)Orthopedic Specialist (Army 68B)Diagnostic Imaging Journeyman, Diagnostic Medical Sonography (Air Force 4R051B)Surgical Technologist Helper, Urology (Air Force 4N111B)Diagnostic Imaging Helper (Air Force 4R011)Diagnostic Imaging (Air Force 4R0X1)Ultrasound Technologist (Navy L15A)Radiology Specialist (Army 68P)Cardiology Medical AssistantSpecial Warfare Operator (Navy SO)Surgical Technologist Journeyman, Orthopedics (Air Force 4N151C)Aerospace Physiology (Air Force 1H0X1)Physician Assistant, Psychiatry (Air Force 42G1N)Medical Deep Sea Diving Technician (Navy 003020)Physician Assistant (Air Force 42G3)Diagnostic Imaging Craftsman, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (Air Force 4R071C)Clinic AssistantHospital Clinic AssistantDental Assistant Helper (Air Force 4Y011)Diagnostic Imaging Helper, Diagnostic Medical Sonography (Air Force 4R011B)Aerospace Medical Service Manager (Air Force 4N000)Pararescue Apprentice (Air Force 1Z131)Medical Assistant (MA)Autopsy AssistantPhysician Assistant, Emergency Medicine (Air Force 42G4E)Diagnostic Imaging Superintendent (Air Force 4R090)Health Unit ClerkDiagnostic Imaging Apprentice, Nuclear Medicine (Air Force 4R031A)Physician Assistant, Orthopedic Surgery (Air Force 42G1A)Surgical Technologist (Air Force 4N1X1)Sugical Technologist (Navy L23A)