A professional who performs any combination of following duties under direction of physician to assist in examination and treatment of patients. Responsibilities include:

• Interviews patients, measures vital signs, such as pulse rate, temperature, blood pressure, weight, and height, and records information on patients' charts.
• Prepares treatment rooms for examination of patients.
• Drapes patients with covering and positions instruments and equipment.
• Hands instruments and materials to doctor as directed.
• Cleans and sterilizes instruments.
• Inventories and orders medical supplies and materials.
• Operates x ray, electrocardiograph (EKG), and other equipment to administer routine diagnostic test or calls medical facility or department to schedule patients for tests.
• Gives injections or treatments, and performs routine laboratory tests.
• Schedules appointments, receives money for bills, keeps x ray and other medical records, performs secretarial tasks, and completes insurance forms.
• May key data into computer to maintain office and patient records.
• May keep billing records, enter financial transactions into bookkeeping ledgers, and compute and mail monthly statements to patients.