Medical assistants perform the duties necessary for the day-to-day operation of offices of various medical professionals. If you choose to pursue a career in this field, your duties will include a diverse array of administrative as well as clinical tasks.

On the clinical side, you will greet patients and show them to the examination room, where you will prepare them for their visit with the doctor by taking vital signs, finding their medical histories and making initial inquiries about the reason for their visit. Sometimes you will provide assistance to the doctor during the examination. You will collect blood and tissue samples for laboratory tests, some of which you will perform yourself at the office. You may also perform tasks like administering vaccines and medications, removing stitches and sutures, conducting electrocardiograms and preparing patients for X-rays. Prescription authorizations and coordination with pharmacies will also be part of your duties.

On the office side, you will deal with scheduling patient visits, handling payments from insurance companies, keeping office supplies stocked and generally keeping the office running.

Medical assisting schools teach the administrative and clinical skills necessary to succeed in the field. You'll learn how to process medical records, arrange payment through insurance companies, and schedule appointments. On the clinical side, you will take classes that cover medical concepts and terminology as well as clinical and laboratory procedures. Most programs are one or two years and include an externship program. With a projected growth rate of 35%, jobs for medical assistants are one of the fastest-growing in the country, so it's a perfect time to start your new career.