Medical assistants play an important role in healthcare, helping keep patient care and daily operations running smoothly. They work alongside nurses, physicians, and other care team members to support patients before, during, and after visits.

While the majority of medical assistants work in doctors’ offices, they also play a key role in other healthcare settings.

So, do medical assistants work in hospitals? What do they do in hospitals?

Yes! Hospitals are the second-most common place that medical assistants works in, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

There are many different jobs that medical assistants do in the hospital, both clinical and administrative, which we go over more in depth below.

This guide will go over what hospital medical assistants do, where they work inside hospitals, the skills they need, how much they earn, and how to become one.

What Does a Medical Assistant Do in a Hospital?

Medical assistants who work in hospitals support both patients and providers. They handle a mix of clinical and administrative tasks, depending on the department they work in.

Their days can involve direct patient care, behind-the-scenes coordination, or a combination of both. The work is often fast-paced and varies from shift to shift. These are some of the common administrative and clinical duties medical assistants have in hospitals.

Clinical Duties

Here are some of the most common clinical duties of hospital medical assistants:

• Preparing patients for care. This includes taking vital signs, recording symptoms, helping patients change into gowns, and making sure they are ready for exams or procedures.
• Assisting with basic patient care. Depending on hospital policy, medical assistants can support a lot of the basic nursing care patients get in the hospital. They may help patients reposition in bed, assist with mobility, support dressing and undressing, and help patients use the restroom.
• Supporting infection control. Infection control is a big priority for hospitals. Medical assistants may help with cleaning and disinfecting exam rooms, patient equipment, and frequently-touched surfaces.
• Collecting specimens. Medical assistants may collect blood, urine, stool, or swab samples and transport them to the lab according to hospital procedures.
• Changing bedding and maintaining patient rooms. In some units, medical assistants help change linens, restock supplies, and prepare rooms for new patients.
• Patient transport. Medical assistants may escort patients to tests, procedures, or discharge areas and generally make sure they are safe when moving around the hospital.
• Supporting comfort and nutrition. Depending on the unit, medical assistants may help deliver meal trays, confirm dietary restrictions, and assist patients with eating.

Administrative Duties

Here are some of the most common administrative duties of hospital medical assistants:

• Updating electronic health records. Medical assistants in hospitals document vital signs, patient history, and care activities so the care team has accurate, real-time information.
• Coordinating patient flow. This can include coordinating admissions and discharges, preparing charts, and helping manage patient movement between departments.
• Communicating with care teams. Hospital medical assistants often relay information between nurses, physicians, labs, imaging departments, and support services.
• Handling discharge and admission tasks. This may involve preparing paperwork, reviewing instructions with patients, and making sure follow-up steps are clear.
• Managing supplies and equipment. Medical assistants help monitor inventory, restock rooms, and ensure equipment is cleaned and ready for use.
• Supporting administrative needs. In some hospital departments, medical assistants help with phone calls, patient intake, scheduling tests, and insurance-related documentation.

Where Do Medical Assistants Work in a Hospital?

Hospitals are made up of many specialized departments. Some are fast-paced and unpredictable, like the emergency room, and some are more like working in a doctor’s office.

Here are some of the areas medical assistants work in and what those jobs are like:

• Emergency department. Here, Medical assistants support fast-paced care by assisting with intake, taking vital signs, preparing rooms, transporting patients, and helping with rapid room turnover.
• Medical-surgical units and patient floors. Work in these areas often includes daily patient care support, chart updates, assisting with mobility, and helping nurses manage routine tasks.
• Outpatient hospital clinics. These departments are inside the hospital but function like clinics or doctors’ offices. Duties may include preparing patients for care, assisting with procedures, and managing schedules.
• Preoperative and postoperative units. Medical assistants help prepare patients for surgery, support recovery areas, and assist with discharge processes.
• Labor and delivery or women’s health units. In these settings, medical assistants support intake, monitor basic vitals, assist with room setup, and provide comfort support.
• Cardiology and specialty care units. Here, duties may focus on preparing patients for tests, supporting procedures, documenting care, and coordinating follow-up.
• Rehabilitation services. Medical assistants may help patients move safely, prepare therapy areas, and support scheduling and documentation.
• Hospital-based specialty departments. This can include orthopedics, neurology, pediatrics, or oncology, where tasks vary based on patient needs and treatment plans.

Skills Required to Be a Hospital Medical Assistant

Working in a hospital requires strong foundational skills and the ability to adapt to different situations. Medical assistants must be comfortable working as part of a larger care team.

Some of the key skills needed for hospital work include:

• Good communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Basic clinical skills, such as taking vital signs
• Comfort with electronic health records
• Time management in fast-paced environments
• Professionalism and empathy when working with patients
• Ability to follow safety and infection control procedures

Many of these skills are ones that all Medical assistants need to have. The difference is that a hospital is a larger, faster-paced environment than some other workplaces. That can make it more demanding at times, but also allows you to use more of your skills and keep learning new skills all the time.

Hospital Medical Assistant Salaries & Job Outlook

Medical assistant pay varies based on experience, location, specialty, and where you work.  According to Stepful’s medical assistant salary data, the average medical assistant in the United States earns about $21.19 per hour or $44,076 per year.

For hospital-based medical assistants, Stepful’s data on how specialization can affect your salary may be particularly interesting.

Hospitals offer medical assistants the opportunity to work in specialty areas like cardiology, emergency medicine, or oncology, which may pay more.

Stepful shows the highest paid specialties are:

·  Family medicine at an average of $43,097.60 per year

·  Cardiology at an average of $42,952 per year

·  Urgent care at an average of $41,912 per year

Salary ranges also differ by location. For example, Stepful shows the highest hourly rate going to medical assistants in Washington state. They make $26.97 an hour, while medical assistants in Louisiana make $16.66 an hour.

These regional differences would also affect what hospital medical assistants earn in different parts of the country. 

While salaries vary by region and specialty, demand for medical assistants is strong throughout the country. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment for medical assistants will grow by 12% over the next 10 years, much faster than the average for other jobs.

This demand is driven by an aging population that will need more medical services. As a result, hospitals everywhere will need more medical assistants to support their care teams, making it a stable career choice.

How to Become a Hospital Medical Assistant

Becoming a hospital medical assistant typically involves a few steps. While requirements vary by employer and state, most hospitals look for candidates with formal training, certification, and hands-on experience.

Here are the steps to becoming a certified medical assistant:

1. Get your high school diploma or GED. This is the minimum education requirement for medical assistant training programs and entry-level healthcare roles.
2. Complete a medical assistant training program. Training programs teach both clinical and administrative skills, often in only a few months. Programs like Stepful’s Medical Assistant Program prepare students for real-world healthcare environments in just 5 months. Program curriculums include medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, lab procedures, and more.
3. Gain hands-on experience through an externship. An externship in a hospital can be especially helpful. It allows students to learn hospital workflows, build confidence, and gain experience in a fast-paced setting.
4. Get certified. Certification is not always required, but it can improve your chances of getting hired and getting a higher salary right from the start. Stepful’s MA program prepares you to pass the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam from the National Healthcareer Association. This credential shows employers that you have the knowledge, skills, and training you need to be a strong member of their team.
5. Apply for hospital medical assistant roles. After completing training and certification, it’s time to apply for jobs that align with your interests and skills. Programs like Stepful’s offer career coaching to help you polish your resume, practice interview skills, and find job leads. You can explore the career sites of local hospital systems and see how many job openings there are for certified medical assistants. If you completed an externship at a hospital, that is a perfect place to start looking at job openings and networking with the staff you met there.