Emergencies of all types can occur when you are working as a medical assistant. Patients may come to your facility with an acute illness or an injury. You may have to handle a phone call from a patient who has an urgent physical or psychological problem. Additionally, you could experience a disaster—anything from a simple office fire to a bomb threat or bioterrorism. As a medical assistant you must be prepared to determine the urgency and handle any emergency that arises. Remember to stay calm and think through each situation in order to respond appropriately and create the best outcome.