What You Need to Know About Medical Assistant Programs in Kansas City, MO
Contents
- What is a medical assistant?
- What are the duties of a medical assistant?
- What are the educational requirements to become a medical assistant?
- What are the job outlook and salary prospects for medical assistants?
- What are the best medical assistant programs in Kansas City, MO?
- What are the admission requirements for medical assistant programs in Kansas City, MO?
- What is the curriculum of medical assistant programs in Kansas City, MO?
- What are the externship and internship opportunities for medical assistants in Kansas City, MO?
- What are the job opportunities for medical assistants in Kansas City, MO?
- What are the continuing education and professional development opportunities for medical assistants in Kansas City, MO?
Before you enroll in a medical assistant program in Kansas City, MO, it’s important to understand what you’ll be learning and the career options available to you after graduation. Read on for more information.
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What is a medical assistant?
A medical assistant is a healthcare professional who supports the work of physicians and other medical staff. They perform administrative and clinical tasks in order to keep the offices of doctors and other medical professionals running smoothly.
Medical assistants are usually responsible for scheduling appointments, taking medical histories and documenting patient information, as well as performing basic lab tests, assisting with minor surgery and administering injections. As the healthcare industry continues to grow, the demand for qualified Medical assistants is expected to increase.
Kansas City, MO offers a variety of accredited medical assistant programs that can prepare you for a successful career in this growing field.
What are the duties of a medical assistant?
As a medical assistant, you will be responsible for performing a variety of administrative and clinical tasks in a healthcare setting. Your duties will vary depending on the size and type of facility in which you work, but may include such tasks as scheduling appointments, taking patient medical histories, administering injections, preparing lab specimens, and performing basic laboratory tests. In addition to your clinical duties, you will also be responsible for handling a variety of office duties, such as answering phones, filing patient medical records and managing billing and insurance paperwork.
What are the educational requirements to become a medical assistant?
Medical assistants in Kansas City, MO must have at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Some programs may require additional coursework in math and science. Specific requirements vary by program.
What are the job outlook and salary prospects for medical assistants?
Medical assistants are in high demand in Kansas City and across the nation.The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of medical assistants will grow 29 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is attributed to the increasing number of aging baby boomers who are staying active and requiring more medical attention as they age.
In Kansas City, the median annual salary for medical assistants was $32,410 in 2017, according to the BLS. The top 10 percent of earners made more than $45,710.
What are the best medical assistant programs in Kansas City, MO?
The best medical assistant programs in Kansas City, MO offer students the opportunity to learn the skills and knowledge necessary to become a successful medical assistant. These programs typically include both classroom and clinical instruction, and many also offer externship opportunities that allow students to gain real-world experience.
What are the admission requirements for medical assistant programs in Kansas City, MO?
To be eligible for admission into a medical assistant program in Kansas City, MO, you will need to have a high school diploma or equivalent. Some programs may also require that you have certain coursework in topics such as biology and math. Once you have been accepted into a program, you will need to complete an internship or externship in order to graduate.
What is the curriculum of medical assistant programs in Kansas City, MO?
Most medical assistant programs in Kansas City, MO include coursework in Medical Terminology office procedures, medical law and ethics, patient relations, and first aid. Students also receive training in basic office skills such as typing, telephone etiquette, and appointment scheduling. In addition, students learn how to take and record medical histories and vital signs, prepare patients for examination, assist the physician during the examination, and perform routine laboratory tests.
What are the externship and internship opportunities for medical assistants in Kansas City, MO?
There are many medical assistant programs in Kansas City, MO, but not all of them offer externship and internship opportunities. These opportunities are important because they give you the chance to gain real-world experience in the medical field before you graduate. Externships and internships can also help you make connections with potential employers.
The best way to find out about externship and internship opportunities is to contact the schools you are interested in and ask about their programs. You can also check with the Kansas City Medical Society or the Missouri Academy of Physician Assistants. Both of these organizations offer externship and internship opportunities for medical assistants in Kansas City, MO.
What are the job opportunities for medical assistants in Kansas City, MO?
The job outlook for medical assistants in Kansas City, MO is good. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 23 percent growth in employment for medical assistants nationally from 2016 to 2026, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.1 Locally, the mean annual wage for medical assistants in Kansas City was $32,660 in May 2017.2
There are many reasons for the growing demand for medical assistants in Kansas City and across the country. An aging population is one factor, as baby boomers are living longer and needing more health care services. An increased emphasis on preventive care and early detection of diseases is another reason for the growing demand; as people live longer, they will need more health care services to maintain their quality of life.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has also played a role in the increasing demand for medical assistants. The ACA has made health insurance more accessible to millions of Americans, and as more people have health insurance they are using more health care services. The ACA has also created new opportunities for medical assistants to work in community health centers that serve underserved populations.
What are the continuing education and professional development opportunities for medical assistants in Kansas City, MO?
In Kansas City, MO, there are many opportunities for medical assistants to continue their education and professional development. The city is home to several colleges and universities that offer medical assistant programs, as well as a number of hospitals and medical clinics that offer continuing education courses for medical assistants. In addition, there are a number of professional organizations for medical assistants in Kansas City, MO that offer continuing education courses and conferences.