Plastic Surgeon Medical Assistant Jobs – What You Need to Know
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If you’re considering a career in plastic surgery, you might be wondering what kinds of medical assistant jobs are available. Here’s a quick overview of what you need to know.
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Job Description
Surgery Scheduler
The surgery scheduler is responsible for coordinating surgeries with the hospital, surgical center, and patient’s schedule. This person works closely with the plastic surgeon, nurse, and anesthesiologist to ensure that all parties are available on the day of surgery. It is important that the surgery scheduler have excellent communication and organizational skills.
Duties and Responsibilities
Most Medical assistants work in physician’s offices, clinics or other outpatient healthcare facilities. Their duties and responsibilities vary depending on the size and type of facility in which they work as well as the state in which they are licensed. However, there are some common duties and responsibilities that are generally shared among all Medical Assistants regardless of their place of employment.
Most medical assistants are responsible for performing a variety of administrative tasks. This may include answering phones, scheduling appointments, verifying insurance benefits, handling billing and coding information and maintaining medical records They may also be responsible for handling correspondence, stocking supplies and distributing information to patients. Additionally, medical assistants may be responsible for organizing laboratory results, X-rays and other diagnostic tests.
In addition to their administrative duties, medical assistants also have a number ofclinical responsibilities. These may include taking patient histories, recording vital signs, preparing patients for examinations, assisting physicians during examinations and procedures, giving injections and performing basic laboratory tests. Additionally, medical assistants may be responsible for taking electrocardiograms (EKGs), removing stitches, applying splints and changing dressings on wounds.
Skills and Qualifications
Most employers require medical assistants to have at least a high school diploma, although some may prefer candidates who have completed a postsecondary training program. Many community colleges, vocational schools, and private trade schools offer medical assistant programs that last from several months to a year. These programs typically combine classroom learning with hands-on experience in a medical setting. Some programs lead to a certificate or diploma, while others offer an associate degree in medical assisting.
While not required, certification can show that a medical assistant meets certain standards of competency set by the profession. Certification is available through organizations such as the American Association of Medical Assistants and the National Healthcare Association. Most states do not require certification for medical assistants, but some employers may prefer or require it.
Education and Training
Individuals interested in becoming a plastic surgeon medical assistant need to have at least a high school diploma or equivalent. However, many employers prefer applicants who have completed an accredited plastic surgery medical assisting program. These programs typically last one year and award a certificate, although some schools may offer an associate’s degree.
Prospective plastic surgeon medical assistants should make sure their chosen program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). These accreditations indicate that the program meets certain standards and prepares students for work in the field.
Plastic surgeon medical assistants typically complete a one-year accredited program that leads to a certificate or associate’s degree.
Salary and Job Outlook
Medical assistants in plastic surgery offices earned a median salary of $36,750 in 2017, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The lowest 10 percent earned less than $26,390, while the highest 10 percent made more than $50,430. Job prospects for medical assistants are expected to be good. The BLS projects employment of medical assistants will grow 29 percent from 2017 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Certification and Licensure
There are three primary types of medical assistants: certified, registered, and licensed. Each type of medical assistant has a different educational requirements.
Certified medical assistants (CMAs) have the most formal education and training and are certified by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). To become a CMA, you must graduate from an accredited medical assistant program and pass the Certification Examination for Medical Assistants.
Registered medical assistants (RMAs) are certified by the American Medical Technologists (AMT). To become a RMA, you must graduate from an accredited medical assistant program and pass the Registered Medical Assistant Exam.
Licensed medical assistants (LMAs) are licensed by the state in which they practice. Licensure requirements vary by state, but most states require that LMAs have at least a high school diploma or equivalent and complete an accredited medical assistant program.
Advancement Opportunities
The role of medical assistant is an important one in the realm of plastic surgery. Medical assistants work closely with patients, surgeons, and other members of the surgical team to ensure that each procedure goes smoothly and efficiently. With such a high level of responsibility, it’s no surprise that many medical assistants seek to advance their careers by becoming plastic surgery medical assistants.
Plastic surgery medical assistants have a few options when it comes to advancement. Some may choose to specialize in a particular area of plastic surgery, such as breast augmentation or reconstruction, while others may become certified medical assistants or registered nurses. Many plastic surgery medical assistants eventually move into management positions, such as office manager or surgical coordinator. No matter what path you choose, there are many opportunities for advancement within the field of plastic surgery.
Plastic Surgeon Medical Assistant Jobs – What You Need to Know
The duties of a plastic surgeon medical assistant are similar to those of a traditional medical assistant. However, there are some additional duties that are specific to the field of plastic surgery. It is important to be aware of these duties before you begin working as a plastic surgeon medical assistant.
Some of the specific duties of a plastic surgeon medical assistant include:
Assisting with consultations: A large part of a plastic surgeon’s job is meeting with potential patients to discuss their cosmetic surgery options. As a medical assistant, you will be responsible for scheduling these consultations and ensuring that they run smoothly. This may include taking patient history and performing basic examinations.
Assisting with surgery: If you are working in an operating room, you will be responsible for helping the surgeons during surgery. This may include passing them instruments and helping to position the patients. You will also be responsible for sterilizing the operating room before and after each surgery.
Caring for patients post-surgery: Once the surgery is complete, you will be responsible for helping the patient to recover. This may include providing them with post-operative care instructions, helping them to dress their wounds, and giving them medication. You may also need to provide emotional support to patients who are struggling to come to terms with their new appearance.
FAQs
If you are considering a career in plastic surgery, you may be wondering what the job of a plastic surgery medical assistant entails. Here are some frequently asked questions that will give you a better understanding of the role:
Q: What education and training is required to be a plastic surgery medical assistant?
A: While there are no specific educational requirements to become a plastic surgery medical assistant, most employers prefer to hire candidates who have completed an accredited medical assisting program and have earned certification from a professional organization such as the American Association of Medical Assistants or the National Healthcare Association.
Q: What are some of the duties of a plastic surgery medical assistant?
A: The duties of a plastic surgery medical assistant vary depending on the type and size of the practice, but may include tasks such as greeting patients, scheduling appointments, preparing patients for procedures, taking and recording vital signs, assisting with procedures, and providing post-operative care.
Q: What skills are needed to be a successful plastic surgery medical assistant?
A: To be successful in this field, you must have excellent communication and customer service skills, as well as strong attention to detail and organizational skills. You must also be able to work well under pressure and handle occasional stressful situations.
Resources
If you’re considering a career in plastic surgery, you may be wondering what kinds of medical assistant jobs are available. Although there are many different types of medical assistants, some specialize in working with plastic surgeons. In this article, we’ll take a look at what plastic surgeon medical assistants do and what kind of training you need to get started in this field.
Medical assistants who work in plastic surgery typically assist the surgeon during procedures. They may also be responsible for pre- and post-operative care, such as helping patients with wound care and providing instructions on how to care for surgical incisions. In some cases, medical assistants may also be responsible for scheduling appointments and handling patients’ insurance paperwork.
To become a plastic surgery medical assistant, you will need to complete a accredited medical assisting program. During your studies, you will take classes on topics such as anatomy, physiology, and Medical Terminology You will also learn about common office procedures, such as scheduling appointments and filing insurance claims. Once you have completed your studies, you will need to pass the nationalCertified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam to earn your credential.