Find Medical Assistant Jobs in Harlingen, TX
Contents
- Introduction
- What is a medical assistant?
- The duties of a medical assistant
- The benefits of being a medical assistant
- How to become a medical assistant
- The job outlook for medical assistants
- The salary of a medical assistant
- The best places to find medical assistant jobs
- The top medical assistant schools in the country
- FAQs about medical assistant jobs
Find the best medical assistant jobs in Harlingen, TX with company ratings & salaries. 1003 open jobs for medical assistant
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Introduction
Harlingen is a city in Cameron County in the central region of the U.S. state of Texas. The city is located on the northern side of the Rio Grande, about 30 miles (48 km) from the gulf of Mexico. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 54,038, and according to a 2018 estimate, it has a population of 65,782. Harlingen is a principal city of the Brownsville–Harlingen metropolitan area, which includes all of Cameron County and has an estimated population of 411,496.
What is a medical assistant?
A medical assistant is a healthcare professional who supports the work of physicians and other health professionals, usually in a clinic setting. Medical assistants perform routine administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians and other health practitioners running smoothly. The duties of medical assistants vary from office to office, but there are some tasks that are common to most medical assistant jobs. These tasks include scheduling appointments, taking and recording patient vital signs, updating patient medical histories, preparing patients for examinations, assisting with office procedures, and handling laboratory work.
The duties of a medical assistant
The duties of a medical assistant are both clinical and administrative. They may take patient medical histories and vital signs, prepare patients for examination, help to control bleeding during a surgical procedure, and take laboratory specimens. On the administrative side, they may schedule appointments and help with billing and insurance claims.
The benefits of being a medical assistant
Medical assistants are responsible for a variety of both clinical and administrative tasks in hospitals, clinics, private physician practices, and other healthcare settings. They perform a critical role in supporting the work of physicians and nurses and providing quality patient care. Here are some of the many benefits of being a medical assistant:
Clinical medical assistants may perform a variety of tasks, including taking and recording patient medical histories and vital signs, preparing patients for examination, assisting with procedures, collecting and processing lab specimens, and providing patient education. Administrative medical assistants handle administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments, verifying insurance coverage, handling billing and coding information, maintaining medical records and handling correspondence.
Medical assistants typically have an associate degree or certificate from an accredited program. Some employers may prefer candidates with formal training, but many will hire candidates with related experience or who are willing to complete on-the-job training. Most states do not require certification for medical assistants, but voluntary certification may improve job prospects.
How to become a medical assistant
Medical assistants perform many different tasks in clinics and hospitals. They may collect patient medical histories, take vital signs, give injections, assist with minor surgery, remove sutures, schedule appointments, arrange for laboratory tests and x-rays, and instruct patients on health care and preventive measures. To become a medical assistant, you will need to have a high school diploma or equivalent. Most medical assistants have postsecondary education such as a certificate or an associate degree from a community college, technical school, or vocational school.
The job outlook for medical assistants
The job outlook for medical assistants is positive. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for medical assistants in May of 2019 was $34,800 per year. The bureau projects that the number of medical assistant jobs will grow by 19 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.
The salary of a medical assistant
The average salary for a Medical Assistant is $14.25 per hour in Harlingen, TX. Salary estimates are based on 48 salaries submitted anonymously to Indeed by Medical Assistant employees, users, and collected from past and present job advertisements on Indeed in the past 36 months. The typical tenure for a Medical Assistant is less than 1 year.
The best places to find medical assistant jobs
Medical assistants are in high demand, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that jobs in the field will grow by 29% between 2016 and 2026 — much faster than the average for all occupations. As the healthcare industry expands to meet the needs of an aging population, medical assistants will be needed to perform routine administrative and clinical tasks to keep doctors’ and other healthcare providers’ offices running smoothly.
Harlingen, TX is a great place to start your career as a medical assistant. The cost of living is relatively low, and there are plenty of job opportunities in the area. Here are some of the best places to find medical assistant jobs in Harlingen, TX:
-Valley Baptist Medical Center This hospital is one of the largest employers in Harlingen, with over 1,200 employees. They offer a variety of positions for medical assistants, including clinical and administrative roles.
-Harlingen Medical Center This hospital is part of the Valley Baptist Health System and employs over 900 people. They have several openings for medical assistants, both full-time and part-time.
-South Texas Health System: This system operates several hospitals and clinics in the region, including one in Harlingen. They are always on the lookout for talented medical assistants to join their team.
-IdealCare Family Health Clinic: This clinic is a small but growing practice that is looking for a medical assistant to help with both administrative and clinical tasks.
The top medical assistant schools in the country
There are many schools that offer medical assistant programs, but not all of them are created equal. If you want to attend one of the top medical assistant schools in the country, there are a few things you should look for.
First, make sure the school is accredited. This means that it has been evaluated by an independent body and determined to meet certain standards. Not all schools are accredited, so this is an important step in choosing the right one.
Second, look for a school that offers both classroom and practical experience. Many schools will offer a medical assistant program that includes both classroom instruction and hands-on training. This is the best way to prepare for a career as a medical assistant, as it will give you the opportunity to learn both the theoretical and practical aspects of the job.
Finally, ask about job placement assistance. Many top medical assistant schools have relationships with hospitals and clinics in their area, and they can help you find a job after you graduate. If you want to be sure you have a job waiting for you after you complete your studies, this is an important factor to consider.
FAQs about medical assistant jobs
Q: What does a medical assistant do?
A: A medical assistant is a multi-skilled professional who supports the work of physicians and other health care providers. Medical assistants perform administrative and clinical tasks in ambulatory care settings such as physician offices, clinics, and group practices.
Q: Where can I find medical assistant jobs in Harlingen, TX?
A: You can find medical assistant jobs in Harlingen, TX by searching on job boards such as Indeed.com or Craigslist. You can also contact local physician offices, clinics, and group practices to inquire about job openings.
Q: What are the requirements to be a medical assistant?
A: Most medical assistants have completed a postsecondary education program that typically lasts one year or less. Some states have certification requirements for medical assistants.