What is the primary role of a Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)?

The primary role of a Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) is to provide both clinical and administrative support in healthcare settings. This involves a wide range of responsibilities that include tasks such as taking patient histories, assisting with examinations, managing patient records, scheduling appointments, and ensuring the smooth operation of the healthcare facility.

While diagnosing and treating patients is critical to healthcare, this responsibility typically falls within the scope of practice of physicians or other licensed healthcare providers, not medical assistants. Similarly, managing hospital financial operations and conducting surgical procedures are specialized roles that require specific training and qualifications beyond what is typically included in the medical assistant's scope of practice. Therefore, the focus of an RMA is fundamentally on supporting healthcare teams to deliver effective patient care rather than performing specialized medical functions.