Medical assistant job description

This post includes 3 parts: duties list, job qualification and job description writing tips for Medical assistant in details. A complete job description concludes Medical assistant key duties/responsibilities, Medical assistant job qualifications (knowledge, education, skills, abilities, experience…KSA model) and other ones such as daily tasks, key activities, key/core competencies, job functions/purpose…

I. List of Medical assistant duties:

1. Phoning verification of medications and medical information
2. Obtaining lab specimens as ordered by the physician (to include Venipunctures)
3. Performing various treatments ordered by a Physician
4. Maintaining medication records
5. Administering tuberculin skin testing on new intakes and on annual follow-ups due on all inmates/patients
6. Typing of various reports, letters and memoranda
7. Answering telephone and process calls
8. Maintaining filing system and confidentiality of information at all times
9. Following universal precautions at all times
10. Maintaining pleasant working attitude

II. List of Medical assistant qualifications

1. Must be computer literate and have exceptional telephone skills
2. Knowledge of medical coding preferred
3. Previous medical office experience preferred
4. Ability to communicate effectively with patients and all levels of personnel in a professional, courteous and effective manner with excellent customer service skills
5. Must be able to display excellent telephone/switchboard etiquette
6. Ability to multi- task in a high paced environment with good organizational skills
7. Ability to follow written and oral instructions and to work with general guidance
8. Demonstrated clerical skills (typing, filing, telephone courtesy)
9. Knowledge of business office operations, telephone etiquette and basic bookkeeping principles
10. Graduation from accredited Medical Assistant program with a valid MA school certificate or Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) or Certified Medical Assistant (CMR) or 5 (five) years clinical experience
11. Medical office experience preferred
12. Possess a current CPR certificate or ability to obtain within 90 (ninety) days of employment
13. Working knowledge of basic Medical Assistant principles and practices
14. Ability to document and report findings and observations
15. Ability to evaluate patient needs, administer prescribed medications, assist physician with examinations and treatment, prepare and apply dressings, and instruct patients in health measures and self care as instructed by the physician
16. Strong phlebotomy skills
17. Knowledge of medical equipment and maintenance
18. Ability to perform EKGs
19. Ability to provide on-site emergency treatment within scope of practice
20. Knowledge of HIPAA regulations
21. High school graduate, GED or equivalent
22. Ability to read, write, speak and understand the English language flue

III. Tips to write job description

1. Too-long job description:

Looking at a too-long job description can frighten the candidates off and drive the away. A job description, no matter how important the job is, should not be included in more than 3 pages. If one focuses on too many things at a time, he shall definitely lose focus on the main items and get overwhelmed by the remaining; So, keep it concisely.

2. Too-short job description:

While too-long can be a problem, too-short is more a problem. It will ruin the meaning of the job description. A too-short one means it lacks necessary details and therefore, the candidate will not be able to understand while reading it.

3. Listing unnecessary functions or job duties:

Just classifying these into the “others” category will save you a lot of effort and space. On the other hand, the job description will become more dilute and easy to be neglected.

4. Key functions

Not listing key functions as required for the job can be a fatal mistake to a job description.

5. Grammar and spelling

Poor grammar and having spelling errors can ruin the job description, too. Never think that as you are the employer, you may have the right to make grammar or spelling errors while requires other not to. A job description with such errors is easily to be mistaken as a fake or ghost ads; as a result, the candidate will turn away from it.

6. Not specific enough:

Be specific and concise; if you don’t address the specific, then what the job description is for. It is for the candidate to understand just exactly what he needs to do or needs to have. Lacking details can confuse the candidates very well.

7. Not having the job description reviewed by others:

This is also a common mistake. One may be subject to bias, but more than one, especially with the help of those external advisor, the job description can be more perfect.

8. Using buzzwords or abbreviations:

In fact, it is not necessary at all to use such in a job description.

9. Using slang or legal words:

Just use common wording to communicate with others and don’t do anything extraordinarily.

10. Not updating the job description:

The same job may require different duties and responsibilities in different times, so, you cannot use the same job description for 2 different times.