National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) Medical Assistant Practice Test

Which skill is least likely to be required for a non-clinical medical assistant?

1. Managing patient records

2. Performing minor surgical procedures

3. Scheduling appointments

4. Billing and coding

The correct answer is: Performing minor surgical procedures

A non-clinical medical assistant typically focuses on administrative tasks rather than direct patient care. This role involves managing the operations of a medical office, which includes maintaining patient records, scheduling appointments, and handling billing and coding. Performing minor surgical procedures, however, falls under clinical duties and requires specific medical training and clinical skills that a non-clinical medical assistant would not possess. Administrative roles do not involve direct patient interaction in a clinical capacity, making tasks related to surgery irrelevant in this context. The responsibilities that typically require a non-clinical medical assistant's expertise include those related to office management and patient interaction in a back-office capacity, rather than any hands-on medical procedures.