Medical Assistant Jobs: What to Expect When You’re Willing to Train

If you’re considering a career as a medical assistant you’re probably wondering what to expect in terms of job duties and responsibilities. While the job may vary depending on the employer, there are certain duties and tasks that are typically associated with the role. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at some of the things you can expect when working as a medical assistant

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Job Description

A medical assistant is a versatile allied health professional that helps to keep medical offices and clinics running smoothly. They might perform administrative tasks, such as scheduling appointments and maintaining medical records Or they might perform clinical tasks, such as taking vital signs, preparing patients for examination, and collecting laboratory specimens. In some states, they might even be able to perform basic laboratory tests and give injections under the supervision of a licensed healthcare provider.

The duties of a medical assistant vary from state to state and from office to office, so it’s important to ask about the specific duties of the job you’re applying for. In general, though, you can expect to perform some or all of the following tasks:

-Scheduling appointments
-Maintaining medical records
-Taking vital signs
-Preparing patients for examination
-Collecting laboratory specimens
-Performing basic laboratory tests
-Giving injections (in some states)

Duties and Responsibilities

As a medical assistant, you will be responsible for patient care, administrative duties, and clinical tasks in a medical office or clinic. You will need to be able to perform various office procedures, as well as have excellent customer service skills.

Your duties may include:
-Answering phones and taking messages
-Scheduling appointments
-Greeting patients and collecting patient information
-Preparing patients for examination
-Assisting the physician with examination and treatment of patients
-Performing diagnostic tests
-Counseling patients on health and lifestyle changes
-Maintaining medical records
-Coding and billing insurance companies

Salary and Job Outlook

If you’re interested in working as a medical assistant, you may be wondering about the potential salary and job outlook for this career field. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for Medical assistants was $34,800 in 2016, and the occupation is projected to grow by 29% from 2016 to 2026.

Education and Training Requirements

Medical assistants perform many important administrative and clinical tasks in hospitals, clinics and physicians’ offices. With the aging of the “Baby Boomer” population and the implementation of the Affordable Care Act the medical assistant profession is expected to grow by 29% from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Education and training requirements for medical assistants vary by state, but most states allow persons with a high school diploma or equivalent to be eligible for certification as a medical assistant. On-the-job training is usually provided by the employer. Some community colleges and technical schools offer postsecondary education programs in medical assisting, which last from one to two years and lead to a certificate or diploma. A small number of colleges offer an associate degree in medical assisting.

Certification

Becoming a certified medical assistant is a great way to give your career a boost. Not only will you be able to command a higher salary, but you’ll also have the opportunity to work in a more advanced capacity. If you’re thinking about becoming a certified medical assistant, there are a few things you should know about the process.

First and foremost, you’ll need to complete an accredited medical assisting program. These programs typically take between six and twelve months to complete, and they’ll provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in your new career. Once you’ve completed your training, you’ll be eligible to take the certified medical assistant exam.

The certified medical assistant exam is a multiple-choice exam that covers a wide range of topics related to the medical field. You’ll be tested on your knowledge of anatomy, physiology, Medical Terminology and other important concepts. In order to pass the exam, you’ll need to score 80% or higher.

Once you’ve passed the exam, you’ll receive your certification. You can then start applying for jobs as a certified medical assistant. With your certification in hand, you’ll be able to command a higher salary and work in a more advanced capacity than non-certified medical assistants.

Skills and Qualifications

When you become a medical assistant, you will be responsible for a variety of tasks in a medical office. You will need to be able to take motor, schedule patients for appointments, perform various medical office procedures, and take care of administrative duties.

You will also need to be able to work well under pressure, as medical offices can be fast-paced environments.Medical assistants must have excellent customer service skills and be able to multitask. They should also be detail oriented and organized.

There are no formal education requirements to become a medical assistant, although most assistant jobs will require that you have at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Many employers prefer to hire candidates who have completed an accredited medical assistant training program, which can last anywhere from six weeks to a year. Upon completion of a training program, you will likely earn a certificate or diploma.

Working Conditions

Job settings for medical assistants vary depending on the size and type of healthcare facility. Most medical assistants work in outpatient care centers, physician’s offices, or hospitals. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 30 percent of medical assistants worked in physicians’ offices in 2016. Most of the remaining medical assistants worked in other ambulatory healthcare services, such as hospitals and outpatient care centers. A small number worked in nursing care facilities or in government agencies.

Working conditions for medical assistants also vary by workplace. Medical assistants who work in physicians’ offices and other ambulatory healthcare services usually work on their feet for long periods. Those who work in hospitals may have to stand for long periods when they are assisting with surgeries or other procedures. Medical assistants who work in nursing care facilities may have more contact with patients than those working in other settings because they may provide basic bedside care, such as taking vital signs or measuring blood pressure.

Advancement Opportunities

If you’re considering a career in the medical field, you may be wondering what kinds of advancement opportunities are available to those in medical assisting jobs. Here’s a look at some of the possibilities:

As a medical assistant, you’ll have the opportunity to work closely with patients, doctors, and other medical personnel. This provides a great opportunity to learn about different aspects of the medical field and gain experience that can be helpful in moving up to other positions.

Many medical assistants eventually move into higher-level positions such as nursing or become Physician Assistants (PAs). Others may use their experience to move into management or administration within the medical field.

Still others choose to further their education and become doctors or research scientists. Whatever your long-term goals, working as a medical assistant can give you the experience and knowledge you need to reach them.

Job Outlook

The number of medical assistant positions is expected to grow by 29% from 2019 to 2029, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.1 Due to this high demand, individuals with a certificate or diploma in medical assisting should have little difficulty finding work. However, those who have completed a formal education program and are certified will likely have the best job prospects.2

As the baby-boom population ages, there will be an increased demand for diagnostic testing, preventive care, and treatment procedures.3 The aging population will also need more assistance with managing chronic conditions such as arthritis, heart disease, obesity, and diabetes.4 With an aging population comes an increased demand for primary care services. The growing trend of patients using more outpatient services rather than being admitted to hospitals will also lead to an increase in the need for medical assistants.5

The following states are projected to have the highest demand for medical assistants:6
-California
-Texas
-Florida
-New York
-Pennsylvania

FAQs

Q: What does a medical assistant do?
A: Medical assistants are vital members of the healthcare team. They perform a variety of clinical and administrative tasks to support the work of doctors and other health professionals.

Q: What kind of training do I need to become a medical assistant?
A: Most medical assistants have at least a high school diploma or equivalent, although some positions may require postsecondary education or certification. Many employers offer on-the-job training programs to help new employees learn the skills needed for the job.

Q: What responsibilities will I have as a medical assistant?
A: Medical assistants typically perform both clinical and administrative tasks. Clinical responsibilities may include taking and recording vital signs, preparing patients for examination, assisting with procedures, and providing patient education. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining Medical records billing and coding insurance forms, and handling correspondence.

Q: What are the hours like for a medical assistant?
A:Most medical assistants work full time, although some positions may be part-time or relief (on call). The hours can be variable, depending on the needs of the employer