Washington State Department of Health: Medical Assistants Needed

Washington State Department of Health is looking for medical assistants! If you have a passion for helping others and are interested in a career in healthcare, this could be the perfect opportunity for you. Learn more about the medical assistant role and see if it’s a good fit for you.

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Job Description

Medical assistants provide clerical and administrative support to health care professionals.

Duties may include maintaining medical records scheduling appointments, handling correspondence, transcribing medical reports, and preparing patients for examination.

May also perform basic laboratory tests, dispense medications, and assist in minor office surgery. Certification as a medical assistant is available but not required in some states.

Duties

Duties include but are not limited to:
-Taking and recording vital signs such as blood pressure, temperature, and weight
-Documenting medical histories
-Answering patient questions
-Assisting with diagnostic tests
-Preparing patients for examination
-Administering medication as directed by a physician
-Drawing blood
-Performing basic laboratory tests

Qualifications

As a medical assistant, you will need to have strong communication and customer service skills. You should also be able to work well under pressure, handle confidential information discreetly, and be comfortable using computers.

In addition to these qualities, you must also meet the following qualifications:
-Have a high school diploma or equivalent
-Complete an accredited medical assisting program
-Pass a medical assisting certification exam

Working Conditions

Medical assistants held about 634,400 jobs in 2016. Most worked in the offices of physicians, although some worked in hospitals, in outpatient care centers, or for the Federal Government. Medical assistants complete both administrative and clinical tasks. Administrative medical assistants perform tasks such as scheduling appointments, verifying insurance coverage, coding patients’ Medical records for insurance reimbursement purposes, and handling billing and finances. Clinical medical assistants complete tasks such as measuring patients’ vital signs, recording their medical history, explaining treatment procedures to them ,preparing them for examination, and assisting the physician during examinations.

Most medical assistants work full time. Because physicians’ offices and other healthcare facilities are open during evenings and weekends, some medical assistants also work part time and may have evening or weekend shifts.

Salary

Wages for medical assistants in Washington depend on experience, training, and geographic location. The median wage for medical assistants in the state is $17.14 per hour, or $35,660 annually. Some entry-level positions may pay as little as $12.86 per hour, while experienced medical assistants can earn up to $23.41 per hour.

Employment Outlook

The medical assistants in the state of Washington are in high demand due to the increasing number of retirees and the need for additional staff in health care facilities. The employment outlook for medical assistants is excellent, with an estimated 18% growth in jobs from 2016 to 2026. This growth is much faster than the average for all occupations, and indicates that there will be many job openings for medical assistants in the years to come.

If you are interested in becoming a medical assistant, you should have a high school diploma or GED, although some employers may prefer candidates with some postsecondary education or experience. Medical assistant programs typically last about one year and lead to a certificate or diploma. Some community colleges also offer two-year associate’s degree programs in medical assisting. These programs include coursework in Medical Terminology anatomy, physiology, and other health sciences subjects, as well as clinical experience.

Training

Medical assistants are a vital part of the health care team. They are trained to perform both administrative and clinical tasks in a medical office or clinic setting.

Medical assistants must have good communication and interpersonal skills. They must be able to work well as part of a team and have the ability to take direction from a supervisor. They must also be detail oriented and organized.

Most medical assistants have at least a high school diploma or equivalent, although some have completed postsecondary education programs. There are several accredited medical assistant programs in Washington state that lead to a certificate or associate degree.

Certification

In order to work as a medical assistant in the state of Washington, you must be certified by the state Department of Health. Certification is not required for all medical assistants, but it is required for those who perform certain duties, such as taking x-rays or administering medications. The Washington State Department of Health offers certification exams for medical assistants who wish to become certified.

Resources

As our state continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is seeking more medical assistants to support our health care system.

Medical assistants play a vital role in patient care, and we are grateful for those who have stepped up to help during this time of need. However, we know that there is still more work to be done.

If you are a medical assistant or know someone who is, please consider joining the DOH team. We offer competitive pay and benefits, and we provide all the training and resources you will need to be successful in your role.

For more information or to apply, please visit our website or contact us at [PHONE NUMBER].

Contact Information

The Washington State Department of Health is urging people with medical training to consider becoming medical assistants in order to help with the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Medical assistants can play a critical role in supporting health care providers and ensuring that patients receive the care they need. If you are interested in becoming a medical assistant, please contact the Department of Health at 360-236-3675 or visit our website for more information.