Certified medical assistants work in various departments of hospitals, including:
* Emergency departments: CMAs assist in the triage of patients, helping to assess their needs and direct them to the appropriate level of care. They also take vital signs, administer medications, and perform basic procedures such as wound care and IV insertion.
* Medical-surgical units: CMAs provide care to patients on medical-surgical units, which typically include patients recovering from surgery or who are being treated for a variety of medical conditions. They assist with activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating, and they also monitor patients' vital signs and administer medications.
* Pediatric units: CMAs work with children and adolescents who are hospitalized for a variety of reasons. They provide care such as playing with children, reading them stories, and helping them to cope with the stress of being hospitalized.
* Obstetrics and gynecology units: CMAs assist in the care of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. They help with tasks such as preparing patients for childbirth, monitoring fetal heart rate, and administering medications.
Clinics
CMAs also work in a variety of clinics, including:
* Family practice clinics: CMAs provide care to patients of all ages, from infants to the elderly. They assist with tasks such as taking vital signs, administering medications, and performing basic procedures such as wound care and IV insertion.
* Pediatric clinics: CMAs work with children and adolescents who are being treated for a variety of medical conditions. They provide care such as playing with children, reading them stories, and helping them to cope with the stress of going to the doctor.
* Obstetrics and gynecology clinics: CMAs assist in the care of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. They help with tasks such as preparing patients for childbirth, monitoring fetal heart rate, and administering medications.
Nursing homes
CMAs also work in nursing homes, where they provide care to residents who need assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They also monitor residents' vital signs and administer medications.
Home health agencies
CMAs work for home health agencies, which provide care to patients in their own homes. They assist with tasks such as bathing, dressing, and eating, and they also monitor patients' vital signs and administer medications.
Other settings
CMAs may also work in other settings, such as:
* Schools: CMAs work in schools, providing care to students who need assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They also monitor students' vital signs and administer medications.
* Correctional facilities: CMAs work in correctional facilities, providing care to inmates who need assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They also monitor inmates' vital signs and administer medications.
* Hospice care: CMAs work in hospice care, providing care to patients who are terminally ill. They help with tasks such as bathing, dressing, and eating, and they also provide comfort and support to patients and their families.