Become a Medical Assistant

UHMCM News Release

Are you interested in becoming a Medical Assistant? An information session through UH Maui College Molokai (UHMCM) is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 12:15 p.m. via Zoom, Meeting ID: 519 743 9552. For more details or assistance with logging into Zoom, contact Liliana Napoleon at liliana@hawaii.edu or phone at (808) 553-4490 opt. 6

So what exactly does a Medical Assistant do? They perform routine clinical and administrative duties under the direct supervision of a physician or other health care professionals. Medical assistants perform many administrative duties, including answering telephones, greeting patients, updating and filing patients’ medical records, filling out insurance forms, handling correspondence, scheduling appointments, arranging for hospital admission and laboratory services, and handling billing and bookkeeping.

Medical assistants also collect and prepare laboratory specimens or perform basic laboratory tests on the premises, dispose of contaminated supplies, and sterilize medical instruments. They instruct patients about medications and special diets, prepare and administer medications as directed, authorize drug refills as directed, telephone prescriptions to a pharmacy, draw blood, prepare patients for X-rays, take electrocardiograms, remove sutures, and change dressings. They also facilitate communication between the patient and other health care professionals.