11 Medical Assistant Skills for Your Resume

From 2019 to 2029, employment for medical assistants is expected to grow 19%.

Use our AI skills generator to find medical assistant skills for your resume, and keep reading for an in-depth look at the top 11 medical assistant skills:

1. Maintaining confidentiality

One of the most highly sought-after skills you’ll find mentioned in medical assistant job ads is the ability to maintain confidentiality.

Whether it comes to handling electronic records or discussing patients’ personal information, employers need to know you can be trusted to adhere to HIPAA regulations and keep patient information confidential.

If you’ve previously worked in settings where confidentiality is a priority, it could give you an advantage over other applicants for entry-level medical assistant jobs as many employers will see it as a sign of trustworthiness.

2. Administrative skills

Having strong administrative skills is one of the most essential qualifications for medical assistants because they’re responsible for efficiently maintaining the workflow of an office.

Medical assistant administrative duties include checking inventory, restocking equipment, and preparing paperwork like insurance or permission forms.

Additionally, you’ll need to schedule appointments for patients, refill prescriptions, compile detailed patient notes, review the patient’s schedule with the doctor, and make phone calls and emails throughout the day.

3. Following guidelines and policies

Health care workers should always follow strict policies during their shifts, and medical assistants are no different. You’ll regularly bill patient payments, prepare treatment rooms for patient examinations, and follow infection control and safety guidelines to ensure there are no issues.

If your previous work history includes following protocols, mention it in your skills section. Employers will be looking for applicants who can follow formal instructions and carefully explain medical procedures to patients.

4. Interpersonal skills

Medical assistants must remain calm even during stressful situations, so demonstrate on your resume that you have exceptional interpersonal skills, a highly sought-after soft skill for employers.

Interpersonal skills include having a positive attitude, showing empathy, being open to feedback, and collaborating well with others in the workplace.

You’ll also work directly with doctors and other medical staff members daily, so hiring managers will look for medical assistants who are positive and easy to work with.

5. Time management skills

Time is valuable, especially when patients and colleagues are relying on you in a fast-paced hospital setting. Having excellent time management skills is an example of professionalism and being a dependable employee.

Medical assistants will see multiple patients per day and juggle many responsibilities in a busy environment. Many tasks also require strict deadlines, such as securing blood and urine samples, changing dressings, or taking and recording vital signs.

Listing your time management skills shows hiring managers that you can work independently and be punctual and consistent.

6. Good bedside manner

Employers love medical assistants who are friendly, professional, and know the importance of treating their patients with care and respect, so make sure to demonstrate good bedside manners on your resume.

You’re often the first and last person patients see during their visit, so creating positive interactions with your patients while helping them understand medical procedures requires an appropriate bedside manner.

7. Basic clinical skills

Medical assistants perform several simple medical and nursing procedures under the direction of doctors. Your daily duties may include drawing blood, giving vaccines, performing EKGs, applying bandages, collecting samples, and arranging prescription refills.

Although medical assistants receive training on the job, listing CPR and Basic Life Support (BLS) in your skills section will prove you can actively respond to emergencies. Just make sure these and any other certifications listed on your resume are up-to-date.

8. Computer skills

Medical assistants must be comfortable using computers for various administrative tasks, so mention your computer skills.

Sending emails, scheduling appointments, and recording patients’ health information into electronic health records (EHS) are typical duties, so show employers you have these skills and can pick up on computer-related tasks quickly.

Specifying which computer skills you have adds further clarity to your resume. For example, knowledge of proper email etiquette, EHS databases, Windows or Mac operating systems, and Microsoft Office are all relevant qualifications for medical assistants.

9. Attention to detail

In a health care environment, it’s imperative that medical assistants are detail-oriented and careful, because even a small clerical error can greatly affect a patient’s life.

Medical assistants play a crucial role in record-keeping. Doctors rely on medical assistants for accurate patient health records, and up-to-date knowledge of any procedures or medications that patients have received, so you’ll need to prove that you’re a responsible and attentive employee.

If you have previous experiences with keeping records, or working in environments where you had to pay close attention to a certain task, list this skill as one of your top qualifications.

10. Organizational skills and cleanliness

Maintaining physical organization and sterile equipment are essential in a health care setting. Listing your organizational skills demonstrates that you know how to keep a tidy workspace and won’t misplace any important medical records, equipment, or files.

Medical assistants often keep inventory records, schedule medical appointments, and prepare basic medications, so being organized and careful is a must.

If you’ve had previous experience as a medical assistant, you should know how to sterilize equipment. Mention your dedication to cleanliness on your resume — it lets hiring managers know you understand how to maintain a sanitary environment and care about the safety of your patients and colleagues.

11. Communication skills

List your verbal communication skills on your medical assistant resume. You’ll often speak directly with patients and other health care colleagues and act as a patient–doctor liaison to help patients understand the doctor’s instructions.

Written communication is just as important. As a medical assistant, you must make detailed records of a patient’s medical conditions for your colleagues and accurately relay information to patients in-person, through email, or by phone.

To prove your communication skills, provide employers with specific examples of when your effective communication enabled you to help patients or colleagues.

More skills-related resources for medical assistants

Here are some additional skills to highlight on your medical assistant resume:

• Analytical skills
• Transferable skills
• In-demand job skills
• Skills-based resumes
• How to list skills levels
• Is a skills section necessary on a resume?
• How many skills should you list on a resume?