Laboratory Jobs for Medical Assistants

If you are a medical assistant looking for a job in a laboratory, check out these tips on how to find the best laboratory job for you.

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Laboratory medical assistant job description

Laboratory Medical assistants are health care professionals who work in clinical laboratories and perform a variety of tasks, including specimen collection, laboratory testing, and record keeping. They may also be responsible for handling and disposing of hazardous materials.

Most laboratory Medical Assistants have at least a high school diploma, although some jobs may require postsecondary education, and most states require certification. Laboratory medical assistants typically receive on-the-job training to learn the specific skills needed for their position.

The duties of a laboratory medical assistant vary depending on the size and type of facility in which they work, but may include collecting and processing patient specimens, performing laboratory tests, recording test results, and maintaining laboratory equipment. They may also be responsible for ordering supplies and maintaining patient records.

Duties of a laboratory medical assistant

Medical assistants who work in laboratories have a number of duties. They may collect and prepare lab samples, run tests, and record results. They may also sterilize equipment and maintain lab records. Medical assistants who work in laboratories must be able to follow complex instructions and pay attention to detail.

Education and training requirements

In order to work as a medical assistant in a laboratory, you will need to have completed a medical assistant program and have received certification from an accredited organization, such as the National Healthcare Association or the American Medical Technologists. Many community colleges offer medical assistant programs that can be completed in one to two years. Once you have completed your education and training, you will be able to take a national exam to earn your certification.

Certification for laboratory medical assistants

In order to work in the medical field, there are certification processes that need to be completed. For those who want to become laboratory medical assistants, they would have to go through a different process to earn their certification. Depending on the state that they reside in, some states may not require certification while others make it mandatory.

The National Healthcare Association (NHA) offers a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) credential. To be eligible for this exam, candidates must have completed a medical assistant program that included both classroom and clinical experience, or have at least five years of work experience as a medical assistant. The CCMA exam tests knowledge in areas such as administration, customer service, scheduling, insurance billing and coding, basic anatomy and physiology, Medical Terminology Laboratory Procedures, and patient care and safety.

The American Medical Technologists (AMT) provides certification for Registered Medical Assistants (RMA). To be eligible for this credential, candidates must either have completed an accredited medical assisting program or have at least two years of full-time work experience as a medical assistant. The RMA credential is good for five years and can be renewed by either retaking the exam or completing continuing education credits.

Lab technicians usually possess an Associate’s degree in Applied Science or a Bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory Technology. These credentials prepare students for work in various settings such as blood banks, physician offices, hospitals and independent laboratories. Certification is not required for employment but many employers prefer job applicants who are certified by national organizations such as the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), American Medical Technologists (AMT) or the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel (NCA).

Salary and job outlook

Salary and Job Outlook
Medical assistants earn a median annual salary of $31,540, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The top earners in the field make more than $44,000 per year, while the lowest paid medical assistants take home less than $22,000 annually.

Most medical assistants work in outpatient care centers, physician offices and hospitals. The BLS projects that employment for medical assistants will grow by 19% from 2016 to 2026 — much faster than the average for all occupations. An aging population and an emphasis on preventative care are two of the factors driving this growth.

Laboratory medical assistant job responsibilities

Hello potential medical assistant! As you may know, beside being an excellent communicator and working well under pressure, medical assistants are responsible for a variety of tasks within a physician’s office, including working in the lab. Let’s take a closer look at what working in the lab as a medical assistant entails.

Laboratory medical assistants are responsible for collecting and processing patients’ specimens. This includes taking blood from patients ( venipuncture), as well as urine and other types of bodily fluid samples. One of the most important responsibilities of laboratory medical assistants is ensuring that these specimens are properly labeled with the patient’s name, ID number, dates, etc. They also ensure that the specimens are stored properly and transported to the correct laboratory location for testing.

In addition to specimen collection and transportation, laboratory medical assistants may also be responsible for performing basic lab tests, such as urine dipsticks, pregnancy tests, and hemoglobin tests. They may also perform EKGs (electrocardiograms) and phlebotomy (drawing blood). Medical assistants who work in laboratories typically work under the supervision of a licensed medical laboratory scientist or technician.

So, there you have it! These are just some of the many responsibilities of laboratory medical assistants. If you’re detail-oriented, have excellent communication skills, and are able to handle multiple tasks at once, then a career as a laboratory medical assistant may be perfect for you!

Working conditions

Laboratory medical assistants typically work in hospitals, clinics, and private physician’s offices. Most full-time positions are in facilities that are open 24 hours a day, requiring evening and weekend work. Many positions are available on an as-needed (per diem) basis, which can offer a good way to get started in the field.

Advancement opportunities

Advancement Opportunities for Medical Assistants
While many medical assistants start their careers with the intention of eventually becoming a doctor or a nurse, others find that they enjoy the medical assisting role and want to stay in that field. Fortunately, there are several opportunities for medical assistants to advance their careers without going back to school for additional degrees.

One option for medical assistants who want to stay in the field is to become a certified medical assistant. A certified medical assistant is one who has completed an accredited medical assistant program and passed a national certification exam. Certified medical assistants typically have more responsibilities than non-certified medical assistants, and they may be eligible for higher wages. Many employers prefer to hire certified medical assistants, so becoming certified can open up new job opportunities.

Another option for advancing one’s career as a medical assistant is to specialize in a particular area of medicine. Many medical assistants choose to specialize in pediatrics, family practice, or obstetrics/gynecology. Specializing allows medical assistants to develop expertise in a particular area of medicine and may make them more attractive to potential employers. Medical assistants who specialize often complete additional training beyond what is required for certification.

Some medical assistants choose to advance their careers by becoming administrativemedical assistants. Administrativemedical assistants typically have more responsibilities than other types ofmedical assistants, such as managing office finances, scheduling appointments, and handling insurance paperwork. Administrativemedical assistant positions typically require additional training beyond what is required for certification as a medical assistant.

Finally, some medical assistants choose to start their own businesses. This option allows for the most flexibility and creativity, but it also entails the most risk. Medical assistants who are interested in starting their own businesses should be sure to research the legal requirements for doing so in their state and obtain the necessary licenses and insurance before opening their doors

Job satisfaction

Positions in medical laboratories offer a great deal of satisfaction to medical assistants. These professionals are able to learn new techniques, work with a variety of people, and contribute to the overall health care of patients.

Pros and cons of being a laboratory medical assistant

There are many pros and cons of being a laboratory medical assistant. The most common pro is that laboratory medical assistants get to work with patients on a regular basis. They also get to learn about new medical procedures and techniques. The most common con is that laboratory medical assistants sometimes have to work long hours. They also may have to work weekends and holidays.