# Medical Assistants

> 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.
- **Entity Type:** role
- **Schema Version:** role.v1
- **Soc Code:** 31-9092.00
- **Summary:** 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.

## Aliases

- Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)
- Chiropractor Assistant
- Doctor's Assistant
- Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)
- Clinical Medical Assistant
- Health Assistant
- Ophthalmic Assistant
- Ophthalmological Assistant
- Optometric Assistant
- Outpatient Surgery Assistant
- Autopsy Assistant
- Bilingual Medical Assistant

## Tasks

| Text | Type | Iwa |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Interview patients to obtain medical information and measure their vital signs, weight, and height. | Core | 4.A.1.a.1.w |
| Clean and sterilize instruments and dispose of contaminated supplies. | Core | 4.A.3.a.1.e |
| Record patients' medical history, vital statistics, or information such as test results in medical records. | Core | 4.A.3.b.6.k |
| Explain treatment procedures, medications, diets, or physicians' instructions to patients. | Core | 4.A.4.a.1.e |
| Prepare treatment rooms for patient examinations, keeping the rooms neat and clean. | Core | 4.A.3.a.1.c |
| Collect blood, tissue, or other laboratory specimens, log the specimens, and prepare them for testing. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.al |
| Show patients to examination rooms and prepare them for the physician. | Core | 4.A.3.a.1.m |
| Help physicians examine and treat patients, handing them instruments or materials or performing such tasks as giving injections or removing sutures. | Core | 4.A.4.a.5.c |
| Perform routine laboratory tests and sample analyses. | Core | 4.A.1.b.2.a |
| Greet and log in patients arriving at office or clinic. | Core | 4.A.4.a.3.c |
| Perform general office duties, such as answering telephones, taking dictation, or completing insurance forms. | Core | 4.A.4.c.1.a |
| Prepare and administer medications as directed by a physician. | Core | 4.A.4.a.5.c |

## Emerging Tasks


## Activities

| Name | Iwa |
| --- | --- |
| Interview patients to gather medical information. | 4.A.1.a.1.w |
| Assess physical conditions of patients to aid in diagnosis or treatment. | 4.A.2.a.1.f |
| Move patients to or from treatment areas. | 4.A.3.a.1.m |
| Prepare patients physically for medical procedures. | 4.A.4.a.5.k |
| Record vital statistics or other health information. | 4.A.3.b.6.k |
| Give medications or immunizations. | 4.A.4.a.5.c |
| Collect biological specimens from patients. | 4.A.3.a.2.al |
| Explain technical medical information to patients. | 4.A.4.a.1.e |
| Administer basic health care or medical treatments. | 4.A.4.a.5.c |
| Assist practitioners to perform medical procedures. | 4.A.4.a.5.k |
| Control prescription refills or authorizations. | 4.A.4.c.3.f |
| Clean patient rooms or patient treatment rooms. | 4.A.3.a.1.c |
| Prepare patient treatment areas for use. | 4.A.3.a.2.k |
| Dispose of biomedical waste in accordance with standards. | 4.A.3.a.1.e |
| Clean medical equipment. | 4.A.3.a.1.i |
| Schedule patient procedures or appointments. | 4.A.2.b.5.c |
| Apply bandages, dressings, or splints. | 4.A.4.a.5.c |
| Provide customer service to clients or users. | 4.A.4.a.3.c |
| Greet customers, patrons, or visitors. | 4.A.4.a.5.j |
| Perform clerical work in medical settings. | 4.A.4.c.1.a |
| Process medical billing information. | 4.A.4.c.1.c |
| Inventory medical supplies or equipment. | 4.A.4.c.3.g |
| Conduct diagnostic tests to determine patient health. | 4.A.1.b.2.a |
| Prepare medical instruments or equipment for use. | 4.A.3.a.2.k |
| Operate medical equipment. | 4.A.3.a.3.d |

## Capabilities

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| English Language | knowledge | 4.8 |
| Customer and Personal Service | knowledge | 4.53 |
| Medicine and Dentistry | knowledge | 4.33 |
| Administrative | knowledge | 4.11 |
| Social Perceptiveness | transferable_skill | 4 |
| Oral Comprehension | ability | 4 |
| Written Comprehension | ability | 4 |
| Oral Expression | ability | 4 |
| Active Listening | essential_skill | 3.88 |
| Speaking | essential_skill | 3.88 |
| Problem Sensitivity | ability | 3.88 |
| Near Vision | ability | 3.88 |
| Speech Recognition | ability | 3.88 |
| Computers and Electronics | knowledge | 3.79 |
| Reading Comprehension | essential_skill | 3.75 |
| Written Expression | ability | 3.75 |
| Speech Clarity | ability | 3.75 |
| Critical Thinking | essential_skill | 3.62 |
| Monitoring | essential_skill | 3.5 |
| Coordination | transferable_skill | 3.5 |
| Service Orientation | transferable_skill | 3.5 |
| Education and Training | knowledge | 3.5 |
| Deductive Reasoning | ability | 3.5 |
| Writing | essential_skill | 3.38 |
| Active Learning | essential_skill | 3.25 |
| Inductive Reasoning | ability | 3.25 |
| Information Ordering | ability | 3.25 |
| Public Safety and Security | knowledge | 3.19 |
| Learning Strategies | essential_skill | 3.12 |
| Instructing | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Category Flexibility | ability | 3.12 |
| Flexibility of Closure | ability | 3.12 |
| Therapy and Counseling | knowledge | 3.04 |
| Complex Problem Solving | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Time Management | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Perceptual Speed | ability | 3 |
| Arm-Hand Steadiness | ability | 3 |
| Finger Dexterity | ability | 3 |
| Psychology | knowledge | 2.95 |

## Skills

| Name | Type |
| --- | --- |
| English Language | Common Skill |
| Social Perceptiveness | Common Skill |
| Speech Recognition | Specialized Skill |
| Active Listening | Common Skill |
| Reading Comprehension | Common Skill |
| Critical Thinking | Common Skill |
| Deductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Writing | Common Skill |
| Information Ordering | Specialized Skill |
| Inductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Active Learning | Common Skill |
| Learning Strategies | Specialized Skill |
| Instructing | Specialized Skill |
| Time Management | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Word | Common Skill |
| Microsoft SharePoint | Specialized Skill |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Outlook | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Excel | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Access | Specialized Skill |
| Finger Dexterity | Common Skill |
| Complex Problem Solving | Common Skill |
| Psychology | Specialized Skill |
| Mathematics | Common Skill |
| Negotiation | Common Skill |
| Visualization | Specialized Skill |
| Systems Analysis | Specialized Skill |
| Biology | Specialized Skill |
| Foreign Language | Common Skill |
| Chemistry | Specialized Skill |
| Telecommunications | Specialized Skill |
| Patient Management Software | Specialized Skill |
| Email Software | Specialized Skill |
| Database Software | Specialized Skill |
| Depth Perception | Common Skill |
| Physics | Specialized Skill |
| Equipment Selection | Specialized Skill |
| Equipment Maintenance | Specialized Skill |
| Geography | Specialized Skill |
| Presentation Software | Specialized Skill |

## Tools

| Example | Category | Hot | In Demand |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Epic Systems | Medical software | yes | yes |
| Microsoft Office software | Office suite software | yes | yes |
| eClinicalWorks EHR software | Medical software | yes | no |
| Intuit QuickBooks | Accounting software | yes | no |
| MEDITECH software | Medical software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Access | Data base user interface and query software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Excel | Spreadsheet software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Outlook | Electronic mail software | yes | no |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Presentation software | yes | no |
| Microsoft SharePoint | Document management software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Word | Word processing software | yes | no |
| Appointment scheduling software | Calendar and scheduling software | no | no |
| Billing software | Billing and invoicing software | no | no |
| Bookkeeping software | Accounting software | no | no |
| Business software applications | Office suite software | no | no |
| Data entry software | Data base user interface and query software | no | no |
| Database software | Data base user interface and query software | no | no |
| Diagnostic and procedural coding software | Categorization or classification software | no | no |
| Electronic medical record EMR software | Medical software | no | no |
| Email software | Electronic mail software | no | no |
| GE Healthcare Centricity EMR | Medical software | no | no |
| Healthcare common procedure coding system HCPCS | Medical software | no | no |
| IDX Systems Patient Chart Tracking | Document management software | no | no |
| Medical condition coding software | Medical software | no | no |
| Medical procedure coding software | Medical software | no | no |
| Microsoft Exchange | Electronic mail software | no | no |
| Microsoft SharePoint Server | Document management software | no | no |
| Microsoft Windows Vista Business | Operating system software | no | no |
| Microsoft Windows XP Professional | Operating system software | no | no |
| Patient management software | Medical software | no | no |
| Visual electro diagnostic software | Medical software | no | no |
| Web browser software | Internet browser software | no | no |

## Work Context

| Name | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Contact With Others | 5 |
| Exposed to Disease or Infections | 4.68 |
| Indoors, Environmentally Controlled | 4.64 |
| Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets | 4.62 |
| Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team | 4.46 |
| Importance of Being Exact or Accurate | 4.38 |
| Telephone Conversations | 4.37 |
| Physical Proximity | 4.32 |
| Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams | 4.27 |
| Written Letters and Memos | 4.24 |
| Importance of Repeating Same Tasks | 4.04 |
| Deal With External Customers or the Public in General | 4 |
| Consequence of Error | 4 |
| Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People | 3.97 |
| Frequency of Decision Making | 3.85 |
| Time Pressure | 3.8 |
| Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals | 3.68 |
| Health and Safety of Other Workers | 3.63 |
| Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities | 3.61 |
| E-Mail | 3.55 |
| Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results | 3.5 |
| Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions | 3.31 |
| Freedom to Make Decisions | 3.22 |
| Conflict Situations | 3.19 |
| Spend Time Sitting | 3.1 |
| Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers | 3.09 |
| Spend Time Standing | 2.94 |
| Spend Time Walking or Running | 2.93 |
| Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable | 2.79 |
| Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings | 2.67 |
| Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | 2.51 |
| Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body | 2.3 |
| Public Speaking | 2.09 |
| Level of Competition | 2.07 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Conditions | 2.06 |
| Degree of Automation | 2.06 |
| Dealing with Violent or Physically Aggressive People | 1.65 |
| Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection | 1.56 |
| Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling | 1.5 |
| Exposed to Contaminants | 1.49 |

## Preparation

- **Job Zone:** 3
- **Job Zone Name:** Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- **Education:** Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- **Experience:** Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- **Svp Range:** (6.0 to < 7.0)

### Education Distribution

| Label | Percentage |
| --- | --- |
| High School Diploma | 20.54 |
| Bachelor's Degree | 17.47 |
| Some College Courses | 17.2 |
| Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 0.05 |

## Person Fit

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Dependability | work_style | 7 |
| Health Care Service | specific_interest_area | 6.59 |
| Attention to Detail | work_style | 6 |
| Conventional | career_interest_type | 5.75 |
| Integrity | work_style | 5 |
| Social | career_interest_type | 4.8 |
| Office Work | specific_interest_area | 4.28 |
| Realistic | career_interest_type | 4.06 |
| Cautiousness | work_style | 4 |
| Investigative | career_interest_type | 3.8 |
| Social Service | specific_interest_area | 3.18 |
| Personal Service | specific_interest_area | 3 |
| Cooperation | work_style | 3 |
| Medical Science | specific_interest_area | 2.68 |
| Teaching/Education | specific_interest_area | 2.54 |
| Physical/Manual Labor | specific_interest_area | 2.48 |

## Related Roles

| Soc Code | Slug | Title | Tier |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 29-9093.00 | role-29-9093-00 | Surgical Assistants | Primary-Short |
| 29-2057.00 | role-29-2057-00 | Ophthalmic Medical Technicians | Primary-Short |
| 29-1141.00 | role-29-1141-00 | Registered Nurses | Primary-Short |
| 29-2061.00 | role-29-2061-00 | Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | Primary-Short |
| 29-2031.00 | role-29-2031-00 | Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | Primary-Short |
| 31-2022.00 | role-31-2022-00 | Physical Therapist Aides | Primary-Long |
| 31-1131.00 | role-31-1131-00 | Nursing Assistants | Primary-Long |
| 31-9091.00 | role-31-9091-00 | Dental Assistants | Primary-Long |
| 29-2072.00 | role-29-2072-00 | Medical Records Specialists | Primary-Long |
| 29-2099.05 | role-29-2099-05 | Ophthalmic Medical Technologists | Primary-Long |
| 29-1243.00 | role-29-1243-00 | Pediatric Surgeons | Supplemental |
| 29-1242.00 | role-29-1242-00 | Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric | Supplemental |

## Career Clusters

| Cluster | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Healthcare & Human Services | healthcare-human-services |

## Education Level

- **Category:** Postsecondary nondegree award

## Study Programs

| Title | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Health Professions and Related Programs | health-professions-and-related-programs |

## Market

- **Median Wage:** 44200
- **Mean Wage:** 44720
- **Pct10Wage:** 35020
- **Pct25Wage:** 37610
- **Pct75Wage:** 48160
- **Pct90Wage:** 57830
- **Employment:** 793460
- **Area Title:** U.S.

## Industries


### Top

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Median Wage | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 62 | 62 | Health Care and Social Assistance | Sector | 750930 | 44080 | 6.32 |
| 621310 | 621310 | Offices of Chiropractors | National industry | 26830 | 36360 | 35.74 |
| 56 | 56 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | Sector | 15010 | 45760 | 0.32 |
| 621320 | 621320 | Offices of Optometrists | National industry | 11260 | 37640 | 14.34 |
| 561320 | 561320 | Temporary Help Services | National industry | 8690 | 45760 | 0.64 |
| 61 | 61 | Educational Services | Sector | 8510 | 47550 | 0.12 |
| 54 | 54 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | Sector | 4760 | 47080 | 0.09 |
| 55 | 55 | Management of Companies and Enterprises | Sector | 4710 | 45520 | 0.33 |
| 621420 | 621420 | Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers | National industry | 3740 | 39330 | 2.35 |
| 621340 | 621340 | Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists | National industry | 3700 | 42830 | 1.51 |
| 623220 | 623220 | Residential Mental Health and Substance Abuse Facilities | National industry | 1360 | 39770 | 1.02 |
| 44-45 | 44-45 | Retail Trade | Sector | 1160 | 43520 | 0.01 |

### Concentrated

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 621310 | 621310 | Offices of Chiropractors | National industry | 26830 | 35.74 |
| 621320 | 621320 | Offices of Optometrists | National industry | 11260 | 14.34 |
| 62 | 62 | Health Care and Social Assistance | Sector | 750930 | 6.32 |
| 621420 | 621420 | Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers | National industry | 3740 | 2.35 |
| 621340 | 621340 | Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists | National industry | 3700 | 1.51 |
| 623220 | 623220 | Residential Mental Health and Substance Abuse Facilities | National industry | 1360 | 1.02 |
| 561320 | 561320 | Temporary Help Services | National industry | 8690 | 0.64 |
| 621330 | 621330 | Offices of Mental Health Practitioners (except Physicians) | National industry | 760 | 0.61 |
- **Count:** 25

## Ai Signals

| Source | Label | Score | Scale | Release |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| frey_osborne | Computerization probability | 0.3 | 0-1 probability | 2013-baseline-2016-employment-snapshot |
| felten_aioe | AI occupational exposure | 0.1497917 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_image_generation_aioe | Image generation occupational exposure | -0.2574331 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_language_modeling_aioe | Language modeling occupational exposure | 0.2356488 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |

## Ai Outlook


### Index

- **Value:** 39
- **Percentile:** 37
- **Band:** Moderate
- **Version:** ai-exposure-index-v1

#### Components

| Percentile | Source |
| --- | --- |
| 52 | felten_aioe |
| 46 | openai_gpts_are_gpts |
| 18 | microsoft_working_with_ai |
- **Component Count:** 3

### Exposure

| Source | Label | Value | Percentile | Band | Note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| felten_aioe | Overall AI exposure (Felten et al.) | 0.1497917 | 52 | Moderate | How much this job's abilities overlap with what AI systems can do, across many AI capabilities. A relative research score, not a forecast of job loss. |
| eloundou_gamma | LLM task exposure, γ (OpenAI / Eloundou) | 0.5384615384615384 | 46 | Moderate | Share of this job's tasks where a large language model plus simple tools could cut the time to do them by at least half. γ is capped at 1.0 and many jobs reach that ceiling, so treat a top score as 'in the top group', not a precise rank. |
| microsoft_applicability | AI assistant applicability (Microsoft) | 0.06936684253090358 | 18 | Low | How applicable today's AI assistants are to this job's activities, measured from real Microsoft Copilot conversations. Applicability is not the same as replacement. |

### Frey Historical

- **Source:** frey
- **Label:** Computerization probability (Frey & Osborne, 2013)
- **Value:** 0.3
- **Percentile:** 39
- **Band:** Moderate
- **Note:** A pre-LLM (2013) estimate of how automatable this job is by computerization and robotics. Shown for historical context only — it is not part of any current AI ranking.
- **Teleworkable:** no

### Eloundou

- **Alpha:** 0.1794871794871795
- **Beta:** 0.358974358974359
- **Gamma:** 0.5384615384615384

### Usage Tasks

| Task | Usage Percent | Importance |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Explain treatment procedures, medications, diets, or physicians' instructions to patients. | 0.002875818067532425 | 4.73 |
| Change dressings on wounds. | 0.0020541557625231607 | 4.36 |
- **Usage Release:** 2026-01-15-v4-plus-2025-03-27-v2

### Bls

- **Growth Percent:** 12.5
- **Growth Percentile:** 95
- **Direction:** Growing fast
- **Annual Openings Thousands:** 112.3
- **Annual Openings Percentile:** 96
- **Employment2024Thousands:** 811
- **Employment2034Thousands:** 912.2

### Sources

| Source | Version |
| --- | --- |
| bls_employment_projections | 2024-2034 |
| dingel_neiman | dingel-neiman-workathome |
| felten_aioe | felten-raj-seamans-aioe |
| frey_osborne | frey-osborne-automation |
| microsoft_working_with_ai | working-with-ai |
| openai_gpts_are_gpts | gpts-are-gpts |

## Ai Playbook

- **Trusted Task Count:** 3
- **Task Count:** 4
- **Total Sample:** 314
- **Autonomy Median:** 3
- **Dominant Collaboration:** learning
- **Automation Share:** 21.14
- **Augmentation Share:** 60.74
- **Work Use Percent:** 7.38

### Collaboration

| Label | Percent |
| --- | --- |
| learning | 51.01 |
| directive | 21.14 |
| task iteration | 9.73 |

### Use Case

| Label | Percent |
| --- | --- |
| personal | 60.4 |
| coursework | 19.13 |
| work | 7.38 |

### Delegated Tasks

| Task | Usage Percent | Collaboration | Autonomy Median | Sample Count |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Explain treatment procedures, medications, diets, or physicians' instructions to patients. | 0.022602825353169147 | learning | 3 | 226 |
| Change dressings on wounds. | 0.004100512564070509 | learning | 4 | 41 |
| Schedule appointments for patients. | 0.0031003875484435553 | directive | 3 | 31 |

### Boundary Tasks

| Task | Human Needed Percent | Sample Count |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change dressings on wounds. | 100 | 41 |
| Explain treatment procedures, medications, diets, or physicians' instructions to patients. | 93.80530973451327 | 226 |
| Schedule appointments for patients. | 93.54838709677419 | 31 |

### Seed Prompts

| Prompt | Collaboration |
| --- | --- |
| Teach me how to explain treatment procedures, medications, diets, or physicians' instructions to patients, then check my work as I try it myself. | learning |
| Teach me how to change dressings on wounds, then check my work as I try it myself. | learning |
| Do this for me: schedule appointments for patients. Give me a finished draft I can review and adjust. | directive |
- **Release:** 2026-01-15-v4-plus-2025-03-27-v2

## Counts

- **Tasks:** 20
- **Skills:** 43
- **Capabilities:** 120
- **Tools:** 32
- **Related Roles:** 20

## Source

- **Dataset:** gold.onet_role_starter_surface
- **Version:** 30.3
- **Generated At:** 2026-06-02T21:00:32.945303+00:00
- **Content Hash:** 2ae2a7134d89f698