Emergency Room Medical Assistant Job Description
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If you’re looking for a challenging and rewarding career in the medical field, you might want to consider becoming an emergency room medical assistant In this role, you’ll be responsible for providing care and assistance to patients in the ER, as well as performing administrative tasks.
If you’re interested in this role, read on to learn more about the emergency room medical assistant job description, including key duties, responsibilities, and skills.
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Job description
Emergency Room Medical assistants provide care and assistance to patients in the Emergency Department of a hospital. They are responsible for a variety of tasks, including taking patient histories, vital signs, and blood pressure; administering injections; drawing blood; and preparing patients for examination. Emergency Room Medical Assistants must be able to work well under pressure and handle a fast-paced environment.
Duties
The duties of an emergency room medical assistant are to provide care for patients who come into the emergency room. This care includes taking vital signs, obtaining patient histories, performing basic lab tests, and assisting the physician or nurse in any procedures that need to be done. The medical assistant may also be responsible for transportation of patients within the hospital.
Skills
While working as an emergency room medical assistant, you will need to have excellent customer service skills. You will be the first point of contact for patients and their families, and you will need to be able to effectively communicate with them. You should also be able to stay calm under pressure and handle a fast-paced environment. In addition, you will need to have basic medical knowledge and be able to follow instructions from physicians.
Qualifications
In order to work as a medical assistant in an emergency room, you will need to have completed a certified medical assistant program and have your certification. You should also have basic life support certification. In some cases, you may be able to get a job with just a high school diploma, but you will likely receive on-the-job training in this case.
Salary
The average salary for an Emergency Room Medical Assistant is $33,000 per year.
Job outlook
Although emergency room medical assistants do not need to be certified, many employers prefer to hire those who have completed a certified medical assistant program. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities for medical assistants are expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2022. The growth of the aging baby-boom population will continue to spur demand for preventive medical services, which are often provided by medical assistants. In addition, as physicians increasingly team up with other health care professionals in group practices, there will be greater need for medical assistants to perform a variety of administrative and clinical duties.
Career path
Emergency Room Medical Assistants are vital members of the medical team in any hospital. They provide support to the doctors and nurses in the Emergency Room, and their duties vary depending on the size and location of the hospital. In some cases, they may be responsible for clerical work, while in others they may be responsible for patient care.
Emergency Room Medical Assistants typically have a high school diploma or equivalent, and certification is not required in all states. However, many hospitals prefer to hire candidates who have completed a medical assistant training program. Some medical assistants may choose to specialize in emergency medicine, and there are a number of certified programs available.
Emergency Room Medical Assistants must be able to work well under pressure and handle a variety of tasks simultaneously. They must possess strong communication and organizational skills, as well as the ability to stay calm in difficult situations.
Education
Most emergency room medical assistants have at least a high school diploma, although some have completed a postsecondary medical assistant program. Some states require certification for medical assistants who work in the emergency room, and employers may prefer candidates who are certified.
Training
All emergency room medical assistants must complete a formal training program that lasts between six and twelve weeks. During this time, they will learn how to perform their duties in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment. They will also receive instruction in Medical Terminology anatomy and physiology, and first aid. After completing their training, emergency room medical assistants must pass a national certification exam before they can begin working.
Certification
There are several certification exams an emergency room medical assistant can take in order to show proficiency and expertise in the field. The most common and highly respected certification for medical assistants is offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants, or AAMA. MAs who wish to become certified through the AAMA must complete a medical assisting program at an accredited school and pass the Certifying Examination, or CMA (AAMA). MAs who are already working in the field and have not gone through an accredited program can still qualify to take the CMA (AAMA) if they meet certain work experience requirements.