---
title: Do You Have What it Takes? 5 Important Qualities A Medical Assistant Should Possess
url: "https://arizonacollege.edu/blog/do-you-have-what-it-takes-5-important-qualities-a-medical-assistant-should-possess/"
type: post
date_published: 2012-09-07
date_modified: 2012-09-07
schema:
  @type: Article
language: en-US
word_count: 427
reading_time: 3 min
canonical: "https://arizonacollege.edu/blog/do-you-have-what-it-takes-5-important-qualities-a-medical-assistant-should-possess/"
categories:
  - AZC Healthcare Programs
topic:
  - Medical Assisting
---

# Do You Have What it Takes? 5 Important Qualities A Medical Assistant Should Possess

Thinking about pursuing a career as a Medical Assistant? This expanding field
provides Medical Assistants with a wide range of responsibilities, including a
mix of clinical and administrative duties, scheduling, billing, record
maintenance, taking and recording vital signs, documentation, prepping patients,
drawing blood, and more. This occupation also requires a great deal of
interaction with patients, which demands excellent communication skills and an
overarching desire to help others. For those thinking about
[pursuing a career in Medical Assisting](https://www.arizonacollege.edu/all-programs/medical-assisting/become-medical-assistant/)
, it is important to possess the following qualities and traits:

**Empathy**: It is imperative to not only be a good listener, but to understand
the concerns, stresses, and feelings your patients share with you. This will
help put your patients at ease during the appointment and show them that they
are in capable, caring hands.

**Integrity**: Medical Assistants handle and have access to privileged
information on a daily basis, and this information is absolutely confidential.
Patient health information is protected by the HIPAA Privacy Rule, and even
information that Medical Assistants obtain during casual conversation must be
handled discreetly and with the highest level of integrity.

**Dependability:** As a Medical Assistant, the doctor, your healthcare team, and
your patients depend on you. It is necessary to be reliable, punctual, and
follow protocol.

**Stress Management: **Working in a medical setting can be hectic and stressful.
The job requires someone who is patient, tolerant, and in control, even in
stressful situations.

**Strong Communication Skills**: One of the most important traits a Medical
Assistant should possess is the ability to communicate clearly and effectively.
This means not only listening and relaying any valuable information to the
doctor, but also sharing important physician instructions clearly with your
patients while addressing any concerns they may have during their visit.

If you are a compassionate individual with solid interpersonal skills and a long
fuse, then consider a career in Medical Assisting! Integral to providing quality
patient care, Medical Assisting offers those interested in joining the medical
field an opportunity to make a difference in patients’ lives. Arizona College
offers a
[Medical Assisting diploma program](https://www.arizonacollege.edu/all-programs/medical-assisting/)
, as well as a
[degree program](https://www.arizonacollege.edu/all-programs/medical-assisting/)
that both provide students with hands-on training and an externship experience.
To learn how you can become a Medical Assistant in as little as 30 weeks,
[contact Arizona College](https://www.arizonacollege.edu/request-information/)
for more information.

---

_Information in this blog post is accurate as of September 7, 2012._

**Categories:** AZC Healthcare Programs