---
title: In what specialties can a medical assistant work?
url: "https://arizonacollege.edu/blog/in-what-specialties-can-a-medical-assistant-work/"
type: post
date_published: 2014-11-20
date_modified: 2025-12-26
schema:
  @type: Article
language: en-US
word_count: 453
reading_time: 3 min
canonical: "https://arizonacollege.edu/blog/in-what-specialties-can-a-medical-assistant-work/"
categories:
  - AZC Healthcare Programs
topic:
  - "Career Information|Medical Assisting"
---

# In what specialties can a medical assistant work?

Medical assistants are a vital part of the healthcare team.  They support a busy
physician while completing various tasks on a daily basis. Medical assistants
also help the office run effectively and efficiently.

Doctors, physicians and other healthcare professionals who diagnose and treat
patients, often employ medical assistants as part of their staff.  Depending on
your interests, schedule preferences, and benefit requirements, employment
possibilities range from small private practices with a few employees to large
corporate hospital or clinical systems.  Medical assistants can also choose
which type of specialty they would prefer to work in; some examples include:

- **Family Practice-**treat patients for acute and chronic illnesses, provide
    follow up care, and refer patients to specialists for challenging cases that
    require in depth diagnosis and treatment.
  - **Obstetrics and Gynecology-**provides care for women’s reproductive systems
    including yearly physical testing and management of pregnancy from
    conception to birth, and postpartum.
  - **Cardiology-**provides care for patients who have abnormalities of the
    heart and cardiovascular system.
  - **Hematology/Oncology-**treats patients who have abnormalities of the blood,
    circulatory system or have been given a diagnosis of cancer.
  - **Pediatrics-**provide preventative health maintenance for healthy children
    and medical care for children who are ill.
  - **Orthopedic Surgery-**offers preservation, investigation, and restoration
    to patients who have abnormalities with their spine, joints, or muscular
    system.
  - **Dermatology-**is a branch of medicine that is concerned with treating
    conditions of the skin.
- **Otorhinolaryngology-often called ENT’s, treat patients with condition of the ears, nose, and throat.**
- **Nursing Home, Assisted Living, and Long-Term Care Facilities-**provide
  24-hour care to elderly patients who are residents of the facility or need
  temporary assistance after recovering from surgery or serious illness.

Each specialty has some common basic
[duties that the medical assistant will perform](https://www.arizonacollege.edu/all-programs/medical-assisting/medical-assistant/)
on a daily basis, such as obtaining vital signs, prepping patients for
examination, and following up regarding treatment plans or home care
instructions.  However, depending on the specialty and the reason for the visit,
procedures the physician may need assistance with, tests performed, patient
demographics, operating hours, and work schedules will differ.  Each specialty
offers an exciting workplace with the ability to impact the lives of patients on
a daily basis, while providing care as part of an important healthcare team.

If you are interested in the possibility of changing direction in your life to
begin a rewarding healthcare career as a medical assistant,
[contact Arizona College](https://www.arizonacollege.edu/request-information/)
today for a tour of our campus and modern medical laboratories.  It is never too
late to make your dreams of a new career come true!

---

_Information in this blog post is accurate as of November 20, 2014._

**Categories:** AZC Healthcare Programs