In many ways, state-of-the-art office equipment is as important for a medical office as its medical equipment. Although every office does not have the same equipment, common machines include telephones, computers, pagers, fax machines, dictation-transcription equipment, photocopiers, adding machines and calculators, postage meters, check writers, paper shredders, and microfilm or microfiche readers.

As a medical assistant, you may be expected not only to operate this equipment but also to help make purchasing decisions by researching various options. This research includes obtaining information about product features, warranties, and maintenance. Yet another decision is whether to lease or buy the equipment.

Equipment is an asset for a medical office. The office staff needs to maintain a comprehensive inventory of the products leased and purchased. It is important to keep up to date with new technologies that will help the administrative office function smoothly and efficiently.