Clinical Medical Assistant
What Does it Take to Be a Clinical Medical Assistant?
A clinical medical assistant is responsible for making sure that a patient is comfortably seated in his or her room. The clinical medical assistant also ensures that the room of the patient is set up with complete instruments and brings in the needed equipment to prepare the patient for treatment or examination.
Aside from taking care of patients on their rooms, the clinical medical assistant also guarantees that blood, urine, vaginal, throat samples and other kinds of specimen ordered by the physician is packaged properly and sent to its respective laboratory. For samples that need results quickly, the clinical medical assistant shall perform simple diagnostic tests in a lab while the patient and physician are waiting.
Every time a patient goes through an examination room, a clinical medical assistant will be present to glance through the chart of the patient and ensure all medical tasks are performed. The clinical medical assistant will then place the medical chart of the patient into the holder outside the door, which signifies that the patient is now ready for his or her physician.
If a patient needs a minor surgical procedure, the clinical medical assistant will assist the physician before, during and after the procedure. Meaning, a clinical medical assistant will also help patients change into exam gowns. For female patients who require breast exams, a male physician usually requires a clinical medical assistant present throughout the exam.
Between assisting physicians and seating patients, the clinical medical assistant is also responsible for the facility supply of medications. He or she should ensure that the physician’s medication closet is maintained properly, restocking when supplies are low and when medications are near expiration date. Moreover, the clinical medical assistant should also maintain a clean and safe work environment; ensure all surgical instruments are sterilized and diagnostic equipments well maintained and calibrated.
