What Does an Orthopedic Medical Assistant Do?
Contents
- What is an orthopedic medical assistant?
- What does an orthopedic medical assistant do?
- What are the responsibilities of an orthopedic medical assistant?
- What skills does an orthopedic medical assistant need?
- What education is required to be an orthopedic medical assistant?
- What are the job outlook and salary for orthopedic medical assistants?
- What are the Orthopedic Medical Assistant Certification and Licensure requirements?
- What are the different types of Orthopedic Medical Assistant positions?
- What are the Orthopedic Medical Assistant job duties in each position?
- What are the Orthopedic Medical Assistant working conditions?
If you’re interested in a career in orthopedics, you may be wondering what an orthopedic medical assistant does. Here’s a quick overview of the duties and responsibilities of this important role.
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What is an orthopedic medical assistant?
Orthopedic Medical assistants work in the orthopedics department of a hospital or clinic. They help patients who have broken bones, joint problems, or other injuries and illnesses that affect the musculoskeletal system.
Orthopedic Medical Assistants help orthopedic surgeons and other doctors treat patients. They prepare patients for examination and surgery, take X-rays and other diagnostic images, and give instructions to patients after surgery. They also casts and splints for patients with broken bones.
What does an orthopedic medical assistant do?
An orthopedic medical assistant is a medical professional who specializes in assisting patients with orthopedic conditions. Orthopedic medical assistants help patients with a variety of tasks related to their condition, including but not limited to:
-Helping patients to ambulate
-Transferring patients to and from wheelchairs
-Assisting with exercises
-Instructing patients on the use of crutches or other assistive devices
-Maintaining and updating patient medical records
-Scheduling appointments and keeping track of patient progress
What are the responsibilities of an orthopedic medical assistant?
An orthopedic medical assistant is responsible for providing support to an orthopedic surgeon. This may include preparing patients for surgery, assisting in surgery, and post-operative care. The medical assistant may also be responsible for taking X-rays, ordering laboratory tests, and scheduling appointments.
What skills does an orthopedic medical assistant need?
In order to work as an orthopedic medical assistant, you will need to have certain skills. These skills include:
-Communication: You will need to be able to communicate effectively with patients, doctors, and other staff members.
-Organization: You will need to be able to keep track of patients’ medical records and appointments.
-Medical knowledge: You will need to have a basic understanding of human anatomy and physiology.
-Physical stamina: You will need to be able to stand for long periods of time and lift heavy objects.
If you have these skills, then you may be a good candidate for a career as an orthopedic medical assistant.
What education is required to be an orthopedic medical assistant?
To become an orthopedic medical assistant, you will need to complete a postsecondary education program. These programs typically last between one and two years and result in a certificate or diploma. Some community colleges also offer associate’s degree programs in medical assisting.
What are the job outlook and salary for orthopedic medical assistants?
The job outlook for orthopedic medical assistants is positive, with an expected growth of 23% from 2016 to 2026, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This is much faster than the average growth rate for all occupations. The BLS reports that the median salary for medical assistants was $34,800 in May 2017.
What are the Orthopedic Medical Assistant Certification and Licensure requirements?
In order to become an orthopedic medical assistant, one must have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are no specific certification or licensure requirements for this occupation. However, many employers prefer candidates who have completed a postsecondary medical assisting program and have obtained certification from a professional organization such as the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
What are the different types of Orthopedic Medical Assistant positions?
There are several different types of Orthopedic Medical Assistant positions. The most common include:
-Clinical Orthopedic Medical Assistant: This position works closely with patients, orthopedic surgeons, and other medical staff. They may assist in surgeries, help to prepare patients for surgery, and provide post-operative care.
-Research Orthopedic Medical Assistant: This position assists orthopedic researchers in conducting studies and experiments. They may also help to collect data and compile findings.
-Teaching Orthopedic Medical Assistant: This position works with orthopedic residents and students. They may help to teach patient care, surgical procedures, and recovery methods.
What are the Orthopedic Medical Assistant job duties in each position?
An orthopedic medical assistant is a professional trained to perform clinical and administrative tasks in an orthopedic office setting. They work closely with orthopedic surgeons, physician assistants, and physical therapists to provide quality patient care.
Orthopedic medical assistants typically have a high school diploma or equivalent and have completed a certified medical assistant program. Many states also require certification through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
The job duties of an orthopedic medical assistant vary depending on the specific position they hold within the office, but typically include tasks such as scheduling appointments, taking patient histories, performing basic laboratory tests, assisting with procedures, and providing patient education.
What are the Orthopedic Medical Assistant working conditions?
Orthopedic medical assistants work in orthopedic offices and clinics. They may also work in hospitals, especially if their patients need to have surgery. Most of the time, they work on weekdays during regular business hours. However, they may occasionally have to work evenings or weekends to cover for another medical assistant who is out sick or on vacation.