Professional Duties

So...What Do CMAs Actually Do?

Certified Medical Assistants (CMAs) have a great amount of variety in their jobs and are crosstrained to perform many administrative and clinical duties. Below is a quick overview of the types of tasks a CMA does during a typical workday. (Keep in mind, the duties CMAs perform will vary from office to office depending on location, size and specialty.)

Administrative Duties

Administrative duties may include...
• Using computer applications
• Answering telephones
• Greeting patients
• Updating and filing patient medical records
• Coding and filling out insurance forms
• Scheduling appointments
• Arranging for hospital admissions and laboratory services
• Handling correspondence, billing and bookkeeping

Clinical Duties

Clinical duties vary according to state law and include...
• Taking medical histories
• Explaining treatment procedures to patients
• Preparing patients for examination
• Assisting the physician during the exam
• Collecting and preparing laboratory specimens
• Performing basic laboratory tests
• Instructing patients about medication and special diets
• Preparing and administering medications as directed by a physician
• Authorizing prescription refills as directed
• Drawing blood
• Taking electrocardiograms
• Removing sutures and changing dressings