Why I Became a Medical Assistant: From Patient Care to Administrative Tasks
Contents
- Why I became a medical assistant from patient care to administrative tasks
- The benefits of being a medical assistant
- The duties of a medical assistant
- The training and education required to become a medical assistant
- The job outlook for medical assistants
- The salary of a medical assistant
- The working hours of a medical assistant
- The working environment of a medical assistant
- The career progression of a medical assistant
- FAQs about being a medical assistant
I became a medical assistant to help people and contribute to the medical field. I enjoy the patient interaction as well as the administrative tasks.
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Why I became a medical assistant from patient care to administrative tasks
I first became interested in the medical field when I was a young girl and my grandfather became ill. I was impressed by the care he received from his doctors and nurses and wanted to be able to help people in the same way. After doing some research, I realized that becoming a medical assistant would allow me to do both patient care and administrative tasks, which was the perfect combination for me.
I did my training at a local community college and then took a job at a small clinic. I soon realized that I loved my job and that I was good at it. I enjoyed being able to help patients with their needs and also liked the administrative side of things, such as scheduling appointments and handling insurance paperwork.
Eventually, I decided to further my education and become a certified medical assistant. This has allowed me to work in larger clinics and hospitals, where I have had the opportunity to care for patients with a wide variety of medical conditions. I am now working towards becoming a registered nurse, as I believe that this will allow me to provide even better care for my patients.
The benefits of being a medical assistant
Medical assistants are vital members of the healthcare team. They provide important patient care and administrative support services. Here are some of the key benefits of being a medical assistant:
1. Medical assistants can make a difference in patients’ lives.
2. Medical Assistants have a variety of tasks and responsibilities.
3. Medical assistants can work in many different settings.
4. Medical assistants can find employment in all 50 states.
5. Medical assisting is a growing profession with many opportunities for advancement.
The duties of a medical assistant
A medical assistant is a person who supports the work of medical professionals such as doctors, nurses and physiotherapists. They perform both administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments and handling insurance paperwork, as well as clinical tasks such as taking patient medical histories and measuring their vital signs.
Medical assistants usually have an Associate’s degree or a Certificate from a medical assisting program. Some states require medical assistants to be licensed or registered.
I became a medical assistant because I wanted to help people in a direct way. I enjoy working with patients and I find it rewarding to be able to assist the medical professionals who are caring for them. I also like the variety of tasks that my job entails, from patient care to administrative duties.
No day is ever the same as another in my line of work, which keeps things interesting. I feel like I am making a difference in the lives of those who come into contact with me, whether it is through providing them with quality patient care or simply by brightening up their day with a smile.
The training and education required to become a medical assistant
There is no one path to becoming a medical assistant. Many come to the profession with a high school diploma or equivalent, while others have completed postsecondary education programs. Some states even have certification programs available. No matter what your educational background is, if you have a desire to work in healthcare and help others, you may be well suited for a career as a medical assistant.
Medical assistants can find employment in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, physician’s offices, and other healthcare facilities. The growing demand for healthcare services means that medical assistants are needed in all 50 states.
The duties of a medical assistant vary depending on the type of facility they work in and the state they work in. In general, medical assistants perform both administrative and clinical tasks. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records billing and coding insurance forms, and handling correspondence. Clinical duties may include taking patient histories and vital signs, preparing patients for examinations, assisting with procedures, administering medications and injections, collecting lab specimens, and performing basic laboratory tests.
Many medical assistants also take on additional responsibilities such as instructing patients on medication usage and caring for minor wounds. With experience, some medical assistants may move into supervisory positions or become certified to perform more advanced clinical tasks such as EKGs or phlebotomy.
The job outlook for medical assistants
Medical assistants are one of the fastest-growing occupations in the United States according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS projects that employment of medical assistants will grow by 29% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. This projected growth is attributable to several factors, including an aging population (which requires more medical care) and an increasing emphasis on preventive care (which requires more medical assistants to provide basic care and collect patient information).
The salary of a medical assistant
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the median salary for medical assistants was $33,610 in 2018, with the top 10 percent earning more than $47,080.
For those who are interested in a career in healthcare but don’t want to go through the long and costly process of becoming a doctor or nurse, becoming a medical assistant is a great option.
Medical assistants perform both administrative and clinical tasks in doctors’ offices, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. They might schedule appointments, take patient vital signs, prepare patients for examinations, assist during procedures, and give injections. Many medical assistants also take on additional responsibilities, such as handling billing and coding, ordering supplies, and handling correspondence.
While the duties of a medical assistant can vary depending on the size and type of facility where they work, their responsibilities always involve some combination of administrative tasks and direct patient care.
The working hours of a medical assistant
The working hours of a medical assistant can be long and unpredictable. Sometimes they are required to work late into the night or on weekends. However, the majority of medical assistants work regular business hours. Medical assistants may also be required to work overtime to cover for another assistant who is sick or on vacation.
The working environment of a medical assistant
There are many reasons why someone might choose to become a medical assistant. For some, it’s the opportunity to work in a fast-paced environment with the potential to save lives. For others, it’s the chance to make a difference in the lives of those who are sick or injured. And for some, it’s the variety of duties that medical assistants perform on a daily basis.
Medical assistants work in both clinical and administrative roles, providing support to doctors and other healthcare professionals. In clinical settings, medical assistants may take patient histories, measure vital signs, administer medications and injections, prepare patients for exams, and assist with diagnostic procedures. In administrative settings, medical assistants may schedule appointments, interview patients, maintain Medical records code insurance forms, and manage billing and collections.
The working environment of a medical assistant can vary depending on the type of facility in which they work. Medical assistants may work in hospitals, clinics, physician’s offices, or other healthcare facilities. Some medical assistants may even choose to work from home. No matter where they work, medical assistants must be able to handle the stress of dealing with sick or injured patients on a daily basis.
The career progression of a medical assistant
I always knew I wanted to help people. As a child, I spent a lot of time with my grandmother who was a registered nurse. She would tell me stories about her work and I was fascinated. I knew then that I wanted to pursue a career in the medical field.
I considered becoming a registered nurse like my grandmother, but I decided that I didn’t want to spend years in school. I wanted to start working and helping people as soon as possible. That’s when I decided to become a medical assistant.
Medical assistants can perform both administrative and clinical tasks. They are often the first point of contact for patients and play an important role in the overall functioning of a medical practice.
I enjoy being a medical assistant because no two days are the same. One day I might be scheduling appointments and answering phones, and the next day I might be assisting in surgery or performing diagnostic tests. I also enjoy the close relationships that I develop with patients and their families.
Becoming a medical assistant was the best decision for me because it allows me to help people in a variety of ways. If you’re considering a career in the medical field, I encourage you to explore this rewarding option!
FAQs about being a medical assistant
Are you thinking about becoming a medical assistant? Here are some frequently asked questions that will help you learn more about this exciting career choice!
What does a medical assistant do?
A medical assistant is a vital member of the healthcare team who helps to provide patient care and perform administrative tasks.
What duties does a medical assistant have?
Medical assistants have a variety of duties, depending on their specific job description and the needs of their employer. In general, they may be responsible for providing patient care, performing administrative tasks, or both.
What are some of the common duties of a medical assistant?
Some common duties of a medical assistant include: taking vital signs, recording patient medical histories, scheduling appointments, preparing patients for examination, assisting with diagnostic tests and procedures, and providing patient education.
What are the hours like for a medical assistant?
The hours for a medical assistant may vary depending on their place of employment. Some medical assistants work full-time, while others work part-time or on an as-needed basis.