What Skills Do Medical Assistants Use?

Whether handling administrative tasks or providing clinical support, medical assistants use a multitude of skills to improve the daily operations of a medical office. Their skills can help ensure healthcare professionals have accurate information to provide quality care to each patient, and calm a patient’s nerves prior to, during, and after their appointment.

A medical assistant’s skills can be classified as administrative, clinical, and interpersonal.

Key Takeaways

• Medical assistants use a mix of administrative, clinical, and interpersonal skills to connect with patients and help medical offices run smoothly
• Medical Assisting programs can help students develop and practice new skills through hands-on courses.

Administrative Skills

A medical assistant’s administrative skills can help improve a medical office’s daily productivity, and keep physicians on schedule. While specifics can vary based on the company, some common administrative skills medical assistants use include:

Scheduling Patient Appointments

Medical assistants often help manage a physician’s daily schedule. They check the physician’s availability, and strive to prevent scheduling a patient during pre-existing meetings a physician may have with other healthcare professionals.

Filing Insurance Claims

Some medical offices may leave this to medical billers, but it’s quite common for medical assistants to follow up on outstanding insurance claims. This can help verify healthcare professionals are properly compensated for services provided.

Updating and Maintaining Electronic Health Records (EHRs)

Each time a patient visits, their EHR is updated to include their most recent vitals, medications, surgeries, treatments, lab results, life changes that may impact their health, and more. This helps the physician make informed treatment decisions based on a patient’s patient’s medical history.

Sending Information for Patient Referrals

If a physician decides to refer a patient to a specialist, a medical assistant can contact the new provider, and send over the patient’s medical records. A medical assistant can help streamline patient transfers between physicians to help maintain a quality healthcare experience from start to finish.

Monitoring and Replenishing Medical Inventory

Medical assistants regularly check a medical office’s inventory, make note of which supplies are running low, and restock accordingly. This allows physicians and medical assistants to focus on patient care without worrying about running out of essential supplies. In addition to restocking supplies, they organize and place them in the appropriate room, so physician’s can quickly grab them during procedures.

Additionally, medical assistants also sterilize equipment, dispose of biohazardous, and clean exam rooms to keep offices welcoming, tidy, and safe for the next patient.

Clinical Skills

Medical assistants perform many hands-on tasks that can directly impact patient care. These clinical skills can help physician’s form an accurate diagnosis, and patients receive the appropriate treatment with each visit. Some common clinical skills medical assistants use can include:

Gathering Lab Samples

Medical assistants are often trained to collect samples like blood, urine and cheek swabs. Knowing how to safely gather and dispose of these samples can help physician’s better assess a patient’s health without putting anyone else’s at risk.

Taking Vital Signs

Medical assistants record a patient’s weight, blood pressure, oxygen levels, and more during each appointment. Comparing a patient’s current vital signs to past vital signs can help provide physicians with invaluable insights that can help them rule out certain conditions, and monitor changes since their previous visit.

Administering Vaccines and Injections

This can vary by state, but is typically done under the supervision of a licensed medical professional.

Performing Basic Life Saving Techniques

Knowing how to perform CPR or provide other basic life saving care can help improve a patient’s outcome in emergency situations. Medical assistants may also regularly check and maintain emergency equipment to ensure it works and is easily accessible.

While having technical skills can contribute to patient care, strong interpersonal skills can help improve a patient’s overall experience and outcomes. A medical assistant’s interpersonal skills can bring warmth and support to each patient they encounter.

Interpersonal Skills

Interpersonal skills, or soft skills, can improve interactions between patients and healthcare staff. They can be used to improve a patient’s understanding of their treatment options, advocate on their behalf, and help them feel comfortable before, during, and after their appointment. Although these skills may seem commonplace, using them alongside technical skills can elevate a patient’s overall experience.

Empathy

Not all patients are comfortable in medical settings. Whether they have a fear of needles or negative past experiences with physicians, empathizing with patients throughout their appointment can build trust. This can help reduce a patient’s anxiety, and encourage them to open up to the physician at their own pace. Being empathetic can help empower patients over time, and ensure their comfort throughout their appointment.

This can help increase the likelihood of a patient returning for follow up visits, which can improve their overall health and well-being in the long run.
Teamwork and Communication

Medical assistants work with doctors, nurses, and other administrative staff. Being able to effectively communicate with and work alongside them can help create a harmonious and productive workplace. It can also help make sure tasks are clear, and can be completed with minimal confusion.

Medical assistants who communicate clearly can help patients better understand why treatments are being proposed, and how they can help improve their health. They can simplify complex medical terms, address patient concerns, and help patients make informed decisions about their health care. Medical assistants can also share these concerns with healthcare providers before they see the patient , which can inform how they choose to interact with them throughout the appointment.

Build a Well-Rounded Skill Set with a Medical Assisting Program

A Medical Assisting program can help you build these administrative skills to prepare you for managing patient data and daily office operations. At Miller-Motte College, those planning to enroll in our Medical Assisting program must first complete our Medical Clinical Assistant program.

Through our Medical Clinical Assistant program, you can apply your new clinical skills in hands-on classes and simulation labs. As you refine your technical knowledge, you can practice incorporating soft skills into each hands-on lesson to bring compassion to each session. After gaining confidence in our in-person program, you can expand your skills through online training.

Soft skills and interpersonal skills are a big focus of medical assistant programs. At Miller-Motte College hands-on training in the Medical Clinical Assistant program, and the additional coursework in the online medical assistant program can help you develop these skills.

Start Training To Become a Medical Assistant

Medical assistants use technical skills, administrative skills, and soft skills to more effectively perform their role. Whether they’re scheduling appointments or assisting with procedures these skills will make everything run smoothly and the patient experience better. To begin developing these skills, enroll in a hands-on Medical Assisting or Medical Clinical Assistant program.

Ready to get started? Call us at 800-705-9182 or submit this form for more information.