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Medical Assistant Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

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A Medical Assistant, or Clinical Assistant, provides critical support for clinical care teams in medical settings. Some duties often listed in a Medical Assistant job description include entering information into electronic medical records, gathering patient vital signs such as temperature and blood pressure and assisting patients with routine care needs.

Medical Assistant duties and responsibilities

Text reads: "Sample medical assistant duties: Recording & updating patient medical histories, Measuring & recording vital signs, Performing basic lab tests & EKGs, Preparing patients for examinations & procedures"

Medical Assistants support patient care while reducing task loads for other team members. Some duties to list in your Medical Assistant position description may include:

  • Transcribing information from handwritten Doctors’ notes into electronic health records
  • Updating records with ongoing patient information, such as periodic vital signs
  • Gathering and verifying insurance coverage or helping process claims paperwork
  • Prepping patients by checking vital signs, guiding patients to exam rooms and providing instructions before they’re seen by Clinicians
  • Cleaning or maintaining medical equipment and supplies
  • Responding to patient needs, such as helping them get out of bed and bringing them food and water

Hire your next Medical Assistant today.

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Medical Assistant Job Description Examples

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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines
Job Description Best Practices
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What does a Medical Assistant do?

Medical Assistants offer clinical care and complete administrative tasks required for medical records documentation and insurance billing. They also serve as the patients’ primary contact points. In hospital settings, Medical Assistants typically check on patients regularly, bring them water or snacks and act as communication liaisons between patients and the nursing staff.

Medical Assistant skills and qualifications

Skills you may list in your Medical Assistant job summary include:

  • Knowledge of medical terminology
  • Phlebotomy skills to draw patients’ blood
  • Proficiency with vital sign measurements, such as blood pressure, heart rate and temperature
  • Electronic medical record experience
  • Familiarity with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other relevant laws to ensure compliance

Medical Assistant experience requirements

Depending on your preferences, you might hire Medical Assistants with no experience and offer in-house training. You might consider this option if your company prefers skills-based hiring. However, if you need Medical Assistants who can support clinical teams immediately, consider seeking candidates with experience in healthcare support roles.

Your Medical Assistant job description might require experience in medical office settings, including insurance verifications, front reception or claims billing, or inpatient or outpatient settings.

Medical Assistant education and training requirements

While secondary degrees and certifications aren’t necessary for Medical Assistants, you may consider candidates who have completed an accredited medical assistant program and earned a certification.

Certifications to look for in Medical Assistant resumes can include Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA), and Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA). Having one or more certifications can help demonstrate an applicant’s commitment to professional growth and potential relevant knowledge.

Medical Assistant salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Medical Assistant is $20.05 per hour. However, the salary depends on the employee’s experience and certifications, the state where they work and the type of facility.

Medical Assistant salary expectations

2025-10-019.4020.6736.15HOURLY
  • Common salary: 20.67 HOURLY
  • Typical salaries range from 9.40 - 36.15 HOURLY
  • Find more information on Indeed Salaries

*Indeed data – 2025-10-01

Job description samples for similar positions

Large medical organizations typically hire various types of clinical and administrative support staff. If you want to explore job descriptions for medical support roles beyond Medical Assistants, consider starting with the following:

Medical Assistant job description FAQs

What’s the difference between a Medical Assistant and a Certified Nursing Assistant?

Medical Assistants typically perform basic clinical support and administrative tasks. CNAs are more likely to perform clinical tasks and help patients with activities of daily living. However, the exact nature of these roles depends on how their employer defines them.

Who does a Medical Assistant report to?

In hospital settings, Medical Assistants typically report to a Charge Nurse or Floor Supervisor. In office and small clinic settings, they may report to Physicians or Office Managers.

What traits make for a good Medical Assistant?

In addition to having relevant clinical and administrative skills, successful Medical Assistant candidates should demonstrate excellent communication, independent problem-solving skills and compassion for patients. Grace under pressure and attention to detail may also be important characteristics for these professionals.

What equipment does a Medical Assistant use?

Medical Assistants typically use diagnostic equipment, such as otoscopes, stethoscopes and electrocardiogram (EKG) machines.

Job Description Best Practices
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Three individuals are sitting at a table with a laptop, a disposable coffee cup, notebooks, and a phone visible. Two are facing each other, while the third’s back is to the camera. The setting appears to be a bright room with large windows.

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Job Description Examples

Need help writing a job description for a specific role? Use these job description examples to create your next great job posting. Or if you’re ready to hire, post your job on Indeed.

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