--- title: What is a Medical Assistant url: "https://arizonacollege.edu/healthcare-careers/medical-assistant-with-phlebotomy/what-is-a-medical-assistant/" type: page date_published: 2025-08-19 date_modified: 2026-05-12 schema: @type: WebPage language: en-US word_count: 1169 reading_time: 6 min canonical: "https://arizonacollege.edu/healthcare-careers/medical-assistant-with-phlebotomy/what-is-a-medical-assistant/" --- # What is a Medical Assistant ![Arizona College hero bars graphic](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/themes/arizona-college/assets/svg/hero-bars.svg) # What is a Medical Assistant and What Do They Do? Classes begin June 1st ![Medical Assistant Icon](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/icon-med-assistant-white.svg) [Medical Assistant](https://arizonacollege.edu/healthcare-careers/medical-assistant-with-phlebotomy/) ![Become a Medical Assistant Icon](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/icon-pharma-tech-white.svg) [Med Assist Cert](https://arizonacollege.edu/healthcare-careers/medical-assistant-with-phlebotomy/medical-assistant-certification/) ![Phlebotomist Certification](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/icon-certified-white.svg) [Phlebotomy Cert](https://arizonacollege.edu/healthcare-careers/medical-assistant-with-phlebotomy/phlebotomist-certification/) ## What Do Medical Assistants Do? Medical assistants are cross-trained to perform both clinical (back office) and administrative (front office) tasks within a medical setting, making them extremely versatile. There is no one-size-fits-all job description of what a medical assistant does on a daily basis. Depending on the specialty, size, and location of their work environment, medical assistants perform a variety of important administrative and clinical tasks. ![Medical Assistant Jobs](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Medical-Assistant-Jobs.webp) ## Essential Medical Assistant Job Duties Medical assistants facilitate communication between the patient care team and other healthcare entities, including pharmacies, referring physicians, hospitals, and outpatient facilities. They act as liaisons between physicians and their patients, and assist with relaying information about things like laboratory test results or prescribed treatment plans. On a daily basis, medical assistants work closely with physicians and other support staff with the goal of improving the overall health and well-being of their patients. To find out more about  [becoming a medical assistant](https://arizonacollege.edu/healthcare-careers/medical-assistant-with-phlebotomy/how-to-become-a-medical-assistant-with-phlebotomy-skills/) , read about Arizona College’s  [Medical Assisting with Phlebotomy Training](https://arizonacollege.edu/healthcare-careers/medical-assistant-with-phlebotomy/) . ## Is A Medical Assistant Career A Good Fit For Me? Medical assistants serve as liaisons between doctors and patients and will communicate the physician’s orders, results from laboratory tests, and treatment plans directly to the patients. It is important that the medical assistant has the professional “soft” skills required to communicate effectively and efficiently with the physician, the patient, and other team members. These include: Good communication skills (both oral and written). Ability to remain calm and composed in high-pressure or stressful situations. Ability to convey empathy and understanding to patients and their families. Organization of workspace. Ability to multitask. ## What Does A Medical Assistant Career Look Like? The [job outlook](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm) for medical assistants is very strong. The position is highly in demand in a variety of exciting healthcare settings. Those who obtain certification through the  [American Association of Medical Assistants](http://www.aama-ntl.org/), as a  [certified medical assistant](https://arizonacollege.edu/healthcare-careers/medical-assistant-with-phlebotomy/medical-assistant-certification/) , or through the American Medical Technologists, as a registered medical assistant, will find there are more options available to them when searching for a medical assistant job. ### Environments Where Medical Assistants Are Needed Include: Clinics, General Practice, Private Practice, Specialty Doctor’s Offices, and Hospitals. ![Fun handout ice cream for medical assistant students at Arizona College](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Arizona-College-Healthcare-Careers-21.webp) ## Key Medical Assistant Clinical Skills Medical Assistant’s are responsible for charting medical histories and patient information, and performing hands-on patient care, including: Taking vital signs, including blood pressure, pulse, temperature, height, and weight. Performing basic laboratory procedures such as urine dips, mouth swabs, and injections. Removing sutures and changing dressings on wounds. Performing finger pricks and blood draws (for those who have  [phlebotomy training](https://arizonacollege.edu/healthcare-careers/medical-assistant-with-phlebotomy/phlebotomist-certification/) ). ![Medical Assistant program students](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Arizona-College-Healthcare-Careers-33.webp) ## Additional Required Clinical Skills - Performing basic clinical tasks such as taking vital signs, giving injections, and assisting with lab tests. - Removing sutures, changing dressings and assisting with wound care. - Performing finger pricks and blood draws (for those who have phlebotomy training). - Preparing patients for examination, assisting the physician during examinations and procedures. - Performing electrocardiograms (EKG/ECG) and collecting and preparing specimens for laboratory analysis. - Instructing patients about medication and special diets, as ordered by the physician. - Authorizing prescription refills, as ordered by the physician ## Get Started With Our Medical Assistant With Phlebotomy Program Do you enjoy interacting with others? Do you want to make a difference in their lives? Consider  [becoming a medical assistant](https://arizonacollege.edu/healthcare-careers/medical-assistant-with-phlebotomy/how-to-become-a-medical-assistant-with-phlebotomy-skills/) ! Arizona College’s Medical Assisting with Phlebotomy program is offered at our  [Glendale](https://arizonacollege.edu/healthcare-careers/glendale-campus/) and  [Mesa](https://arizonacollege.edu/healthcare-careers/mesa-campus/) campuses. ![ABHES Accredited Medical Assistant School](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/logo-abhes.png) _All Arizona College campuses are institutionally accredited by the [Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)](http://www.abhes.org/), a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency._ ![Medical Assistant School Near Me Classroom in Glendale Arizona](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Medical-Assistant-School-Near-Me-Classroom-in-Glendale-Arizona_d59534.webp) ## Medical Assistant School Length and Next Steps Our 30-week  [medical assistant program](https://arizonacollege.edu/healthcare-careers/medical-assistant-with-phlebotomy/)  includes a clinical externship, ensuring you get valuable real world experience working as a medical assistant. Fill out a request for information form and one of our admissions representatives will be in touch. Don’t wait any longer, contact Arizona College today! ## Guide to Becoming a Medical Assistant with Phlebotomy Skills Ready to make a difference in healthcare? Explore the path to becoming a medical assistant with phlebotomy skills today. ![Medical Assistant Icon](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/WEB_Admissions.svg) #### 󠀁[Learn about our Medical Assistant Program](https://arizonacollege.edu/healthcare-careers/medical-assistant-with-phlebotomy/)󠁿 ![Icon for Medical Assistant Certification](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/WEB_NewStudents-1.svg) #### 󠀁[How do I get a medical assistant certification?](https://arizonacollege.edu/healthcare-careers/medical-assistant-with-phlebotomy/medical-assistant-certification/)󠁿 ![Icon for Phlebotomist Certification](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/WEB_Transcript.svg) #### 󠀁[How do I get a phlebotomist certification?](https://arizonacollege.edu/healthcare-careers/medical-assistant-with-phlebotomy/phlebotomist-certification/)󠁿 ![Icon for becoming a medical assistant](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/WEB_ScheduleTEAS.svg) #### 󠀁[How do I become a medical assistant with phlebotomy skills?](https://arizonacollege.edu/healthcare-careers/medical-assistant-with-phlebotomy/how-to-become-a-medical-assistant-with-phlebotomy-skills/)󠁿 ![Icon for medical assistant courses](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/WEB_READING.svg) #### 󠀁[What medical assistant courses do I need to take?](https://arizonacollege.edu/healthcare-careers/medical-assistant-with-phlebotomy/course-descriptions/)󠁿 ![Icon for healthcare careers](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/WEB_AnatomyPhysiology-1.svg) #### 󠀁[How do I start my healthcare career?](https://arizonacollege.edu/healthcare-careers/)󠁿