Lee High School

What role do medical assistants play in the health care of their patients?

Health science

Adriana De Jesus

Senior Capstone

Jody Snyder

April 17, 2018

 De Jesus 2

Adriana De Jesus

Senior Capstone

Jody Snyder

April 17, 2018

Medical Assistant

“They may forget your name, but they will never forget how you made them feel”

(Angelou) Medical Assistants love to help others. A Medical Assistant is the person a patient first

meet when they go see their doctor. They are very well trained to do different things as greeting

patients, scheduling appointments, taking vital signs, filling out papers, doing lab tests etc.

Medical Assistants work under physicians, they make sure everything is fine with the patient.

Medical Assistants work in clean offices and hospitals interacting with patients, co-workers and

supervisors. Many people can become a certified Medical Assistant by completing a program.

Medical Assistants play the role in the health care of their patients by providing admission needs,

offering preventive care, and quality follow up plans.

Once the patient enters the building to attend their appointment and check in with the

receptionist. A Medical Assistant is the first person that will welcome the patient in the room

they will assist them in. They ask the patient their personal information such as their name and

birth to make sure it’s the right person. They then measure their height and take their weight. The

Medical Assistant need lead the patient to the room and ask them what brings the patient in that

day. They need to ask as much questions as they can, that the doctor might need to know. It’s
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important that Medical Assistant know if there’s anything wrong with the patient, they will write

it down and the doctor will talk to the patient. One of the things Medical Assistants need to do

with every patient is take their vital signs before the doctor see the patient. “Your vital signs

show how well your body is functioning” (MedlinePlus). Medical Assistants take patient’s

temperature to see if your temperature is normal, the blood pressure to see if their blood pressure

is good. If their blood pressure too high or too low they could get sick. Medical Assistants also

take the patient’s pulse to see if the heart is beating at a normal rate, these vital signs is part of

the visit to the clinic or hospital. “Medical Assistants duties may be divided among a number of

staff, one arranging appointments, with still others handle only insurance forms, and keep patient

records” (Franz). Depending on the building or department the Medical Assistant work at they

could help each other with their task.

Medical Assistants can help a patient prevent getting sick, having heart problems, or from

injuries. “The purpose of preventive actions is to reduce or eliminate the risk of disease or injury

or to limit the deleterious of a disease or injury” (David). Medical Assistants help to have a better

life living and healthier life by telling them to eat healthy, take their prescription and be exercise

etc. “Talk to your healthcare provider about the best exercise plan for you. Exercise can help

decrease your symptoms and improve your mood and health” (Self-care measures). Preventive

care on a patient it’s really important because someone might be sick and not be aware of it.

Medical Assistants are trained to draw blood and prepare laboratories. They work with blood

tests and even urine to look for infections or any other serious disease. “Medical Assistants get

trained on filling out papers, knowing where the supplies go, knowing the rules/policies, and

computer training” (Calderon). One of Medical Assistants job is to care for their patients.

Quality follow up plans is really important for patients to make sure they’re healthy.
 De Jesus 4

Medical Assistants talk to the patient at the end of the visit about any follow up appointments.

Follow up plans is to see how the patient is doing later on in the future. “Appropriate follow up

can help you to identify misunderstanding and answer questions, or make further assessments

and adjust treatments” (Agency for Healthcare). If the patient don’t need any follow up

appointments they’re free to go. Patients might make appointments for injections, a physical, or

surgery. Some patients wait for paperwork or any other information at the end of their

appointment.

Overall Medical Assistants play an important role in patients life. They make sure their patients

get as much questions answer as they can. They do so administrative needs, offering preventive

care, quality follow up plans. Medical Assistants see the patient first and take their vital signs to

make sure everything is going well with the patient. They communicate with their patient and

help them be healthier and not get ill. They’ll finally answer any questions and make any follow

up appointments or surgery if they need to.

“They may forget your name, but they will never forget how you made them feel”

(Angelou). Medical Assistants love to help others. A Medical Assistant is the person a patient

first meet when they go see their doctor. They are very well trained to do different things such as

greeting patients, scheduling appointments, taking vital signs, filling out papers, doing lab tests

etc. Medical Assistants work with physicians, they make sure everything is fine with the patient.

Medical Assistants work in clean offices and hospitals interacting with patients, co-workers, and

supervisors. Many people can become a certified Medical Assistant by completing a program.

Medical Assistants play the role in the health care of their patients by providing admission

needs, offering preventive care, and quality follow up plans.

Once the patient enters the building to attend their appointment and check in with the
 De Jesus 5

receptionist. A Medical Assistant is the first person that will welcome the patient in the room

they will assist them in. They ask the patient their personal information such as their name and

birth to make sure it’s the right person. They then measure their height and take their weight. The

Medical Assistant need lead the patient to the room and ask them what brings the patient in that

day. They need to ask as many questions as they can, that the doctor might need to know. It’s

important that Medical Assistant know if there’s anything wrong with the patient, they will write

it down and the doctor will talk to the patient. One of the things Medical Assistants need to do

with every patient is taking their vital signs before the doctor sees the patient. “Your vital signs

show how well your body is functioning” (MedlinePlus). Medical Assistants take patient’s

temperature to see if their temperature is normal, the blood pressure to see if their blood pressure

is good. If their blood pressure too high or too low they could get sick. Medical Assistants also

take the patient’s pulse to see if the heart is beating at a normal rate, these vital signs are part of

the visit to the clinic or hospital. “Medical Assistants duties may be divided among a number of

staff, one arranging appointments, with still others handle only insurance forms, and keep patient

records” (Franz). Depending on the building or department the Medical Assistant work at they

could help each other with their task.

Medical Assistants can help a patient prevent getting sick, having heart problems, or

from injuries. “The purpose of preventive actions is to reduce or eliminate the risk of disease or

injury or to limit the deleterious of a disease or injury” (David). Medical Assistants help to have

a better life living and healthier life by telling them to eat healthy, take their prescription and be

exercise etc. “Talk to your healthcare provider about the best exercise plan for you. Exercise can

help decrease your symptoms and improve your mood and health” (Self-care measures).

Preventive care on a patient it’s really important because someone might be sick and not be
 De Jesus 6

aware of it. Medical Assistants are trained to draw blood and prepare laboratories. They work

with blood tests and even urine to look for infections or any other serious disease. “Medical

Assistants get trained on filling out papers, knowing where the supplies go, knowing the

rules/policies, and computer training” (Calderon). One of Medical Assistants job is to care for

their patients.

Quality follow up plans is really important for patients to make sure they’re healthy.

Medical Assistants talk to the patient at the end of the visit about any follow-up appointments.

Follow up plans is to see how the patient is doing later on in the future. “Appropriate follow up

can help you to identify misunderstanding and answer questions, or make further assessments

and adjust treatments” (Agency for Healthcare). If the patient doesn’t need any follow-up

appointments they’re free to go. Patients might make appointments for injections, a physical, or

surgery. Some patients wait for paperwork or any other information at the end of their

appointment.

Overall Medical Assistants play an important role in the patient's life. They make sure

their patients get as many questions answer as they can. They do so administrative needs,

offering preventive care, quality follow up plans. Medical Assistants see the patient first and take

their vital signs to make sure everything is going well with the patient. They communicate with

their patient and help them be healthier and not get ill. They’ll finally answer any questions and

make any follow up appointments or surgery if they need to.

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Works Cited

Calderon, Jessica. Telephone interview. 16 Mar. 2018.

“Follow Up with Patients: Tool #6.” AHRQ--Agency for Healthcare Research and

Quality: Advancing Excellence in Health Care, U.S. HHS: Agency for Healthcare

Research and Quality, 5 Feb. 2015, www.ahrq.gov/professionals/quality-patient-

safety/quality-resources/tools/literacy-toolkit/healthlittoolkit2-tool6.html.
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Franz, Janie F. "Medical Assisting." The Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied

Health, edited by Jacqueline L. Longe, 4th ed., vol. 4, Gale, 2018, pp. 2210-2212. Health

& Wellness Resource Center,

http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CX3662600705/HWRC?

u=lom_accessmich&sid=HWRC&xid=077ce1e0. Accessed 10 Apr. 2018.

Newton, David E. "Prevention." The Gale Encyclopedia of Public Health, edited by

Laurie J. Fundukian, vol. 2, Gale, 2013, pp. 742-746. Health & Wellness Resource

Center, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CX2760500204/HWRC?

u=lom_accessmich&sid=HWRC&xid=d890a0c3. Accessed 11 Apr. 2018.

Nursing, Chamberlain College of, and Meg Tokars. “Top 10 Quotes for Nurses.”

Chamberlain College of Nursing, 12 Mar. 2018, www.chamberlain.edu/blog/top-ten-

quotes-for-nurses.

"Self-care measures with a chronic disease." CareNotes, Truven Health Analytics, 2017.

Health & Wellness Resource Center,

http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A503762527/HWRC?

u=lom_accessmich&sid=HWRC&xid=d1b9967c. Accessed 11 Apr. 2018.

“Vital Signs: MedlinePlus.” MedlinePlus Trusted Health Information for You, 12 Mar. .

2018, medlineplus.gov/vitalsigns.html.