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Medical Assistants
Description
Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by physician.
Common Tasks
- Interview patients to obtain medical information and measure their vital signs, weight, and height.
- Show patients to examination rooms and prepare them for the physician.
- Record patients' medical history, vital statistics, or information such as test results in medical records.
- Prepare and administer medications as directed by a physician.
- Collect blood, tissue, or other laboratory specimens, log the specimens, and prepare them for testing.
Required Education
Postsecondary non-degree award
Wages
In 2016 the mean hourly wage in the Greater Sacramento area was $16.92 . The hourly rate for this occupation typically paid between $12.24 and $23.41 .
In 2016 the mean annual salary in the Greater Sacramento area was $35,201.32 . The annual salary for this occupation typically paid between $25,452.63 and $48,702.63 .
Occupation Outlook
This occupation employed 5,090 people in the Greater Sacramento area during 2014.
By 2024, there is expected to be an increase of 31.0% in the number of jobs in the Greater Sacramento area for this occupation, bringing to total number to 6,670.
By 2024, in the Greater Sacramento area, the median hourly rate for this occupation is expected to be $16.00 with the median annual salary reaching $34,039.
