How to Hire a Medical Assistant

How to Hire a Medical Assistant
Whether you’re a small private practice or a large healthcare organization, you will need to put thought into how to hire a medical assistant The medical assistant job description will vary depending on the size and type of employer.

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Introduction: Defining a Medical Assistant

Before we discuss how to hire a medical assistant, let’s first define what a medical assistant is and what they do. According to the mayo clinic “Medical assistants are trained to perform both administrative and clinical tasks in doctors’ offices, clinics and other healthcare settings.” Their duties might include anything from scheduling appointments and handling billing to taking patient medical histories and measuring vital signs.

Medical assistants usually report to an office manager, physicians or other healthcare practitioners. To become a medical assistant, one does not need to have a college degree; however, many employers prefer to hire those who have completed an accredited medical assisting program. There are approximately 550 accredited medical assisting programs across the United States according to the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).

The Job Duties of a Medical Assistant

A medical assistant is a vital part of any healthcare team. They perform a variety of duties in clinics, hospitals, and doctor’s offices, such as taking patient medical histories and vitals, scheduling appointments, assisting with exams and procedures, and providing administrative support.

If you’re looking to hire a medical assistant, you need to make sure they are qualified and have the necessary skills for the job. Here are the most important job duties of a medical assistant:

-Taking patient medical histories and vitals: Medical assistants will often be the first point of contact with patients. They will take patient medical histories and collect important information about their symptoms, medications, and past medical history. They will also take vitals, such as blood pressure and temperature.

-Scheduling appointments: Medical assistants will also be responsible for scheduling appointments. They need to be able to coordinate with patients, doctors, and other staff members to ensure that everyone is on the same page.

-Assisting with exams and procedures: Medical assistants may also be asked to assist with exams or procedures. This can involve anything from helping to prep patients for an exam to taking x-rays or blood samples.

-Providing administrative support: In addition to clinical duties, medical assistants also provide administrative support. This can involve anything from answering phones and filing paperwork to preparing bills and handling insurance claims.

The Education and Training of a Medical Assistant

In order to become a medical assistant, individuals must complete a postsecondary education program. These programs typically last anywhere from six months to two years and lead to a certificate or diploma. Some programs may even offer an associate’s degree in medical assisting.

In addition to completing an education program, medical assistants may also be required to take certification exams in order to become certified and registered. Depending on their state’s requirements, they may need to take one or more exams, such as the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).

Once they have completed their education and training requirements, medical assistants can find work in a variety of healthcare settings, including doctor’s offices, hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities.

The Certification of a Medical Assistant

If a medical assistant has completed a certified or non-certified training program, they will likely have a certification from either the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) or the National Healthcare Association (NHA). Although having either of these certifications is not required to work as a medical assistant, some employers prefer to hire those who are certified.

The AAMA offers the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential, which requires medical assistants to complete an accredited postsecondary education program and pass the CMA Exam. To maintain the credential, CMAs must complete 60 continuing education credits every 60 months and pay an annual fee.

The NHA offers the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) credential for those who have completed an accredited postsecondary education program or have at least five years of experience working as a medical assistant. To earn the credential, candidates must pass the RMA Exam. There is no continuing education requirement or annual fee to maintain the credential.

Although having certification is not required to work as a medical assistant, it may give candidates a competitive edge when applying for jobs. It also demonstrates that the medical assistant has taken the initiative to further their education and stay up-to-date on best practices in the field.

The Salary of a Medical Assistant

The median annual wage for medical assistants was $33,610 in May 2018. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $24,280, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $46,850.

The Working Hours of a Medical Assistant

When considering a career as a medical assistant, it is important to understand the typical working hours. Medical assistants typically work full time, but the hours can vary depending on the type of facility in which they work. Hospitals and clinics usually have evening and weekend hours to accommodate patients’ schedules, so medical assistants working in these facilities may be required to work evenings or weekends. In addition, some medical assistants may be required to work overtime on occasion.

The Job Outlook for a Medical Assistant

The job outlook for a medical assistant is promising. With an aging population and advances in medical technology, the demand for medical assistants is expected to grow.

Medical assistants perform a variety of administrative and clinical tasks to support the work of physicians and other health care professionals. They may schedule appointments, maintain medical records bill patients, and assist with examinations. Medical assistants must be able to multitask and work well under pressure.

Most medical assistants have at least a high school diploma, although some have completed postsecondary education programs. Most states do not require Certification or licensure for medical assistants, but some employers prefer to hire those who have completed a accredited program and/or earned certification from a professional organization such as the American Association of Medical Assistants or the National Healthcare Association.

The Pros and Cons of Being a Medical Assistant

There are many different types of medical assistants, and the role that they play in a medical practice can vary widely. Some medical assistants may be responsible for handling all of the administrative tasks in a doctor’s office, while others may be responsible for patient care and taking vital signs. No matter what type of medical assistant you are, there are both pros and cons to the job.

Pros:
-Medical assistants are in high demand. With the aging population and the increasing number of people with chronic conditions, the need for medical assistants is expected to grow by 29% from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations.
-Medical assistants can earn a good salary. The median annual salary for medical assistants was $32,480 in 2016, and the top 10% earned more than $47,350.
-Medical assistants have considerable job flexibility. Many medical assistants work full time, but some work part time or have flexible schedules that allow them to take care of personal or family obligations.
-Medical assistants have opportunities to advance their careers. Some medical assistants choose to become certified and specialize in a particular area of medicine, such as podiatry or ophthalmology. Others become managers or move into other administrative roles in healthcare organizations.

Cons:
-Working as a medical assistant can be stressful. Medical assistants often work under pressure, and they may have to deal with demanding patients and emotional situations.
– Medical assistant jobs may be repetitive and require standing for long periods of time. Although many tasks vary from day to day, some tasks, such as taking vital signs or drawing blood, may be performed frequently and can become monotonous.
– Medical assistant jobs may involve exposure to infectious diseases. Although most exposure can be prevented with proper precautions, such as wearing gloves and masks, some exposure is impossible to avoid completely.

10 Steps to Hiring a Medical Assistant

Medical assistants play a vital role in the healthcare industry by providing support to doctors and other medical professionals. If you’re looking to hire a medical assistant, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Follow these 10 steps to ensure that you find the best possible candidate for the job.

1. Define the job’s responsibilities.
2. Determine the qualifications and skill set required for the position.
3. Develop a job posting that includes these requirements.
4. Post the job opening on several online job boards or classifieds websites.
5. Screen candidates based on their qualifications and work history.
6. Conduct interviews with the top candidates.
7. Check references for each of the candidates interviewed.
8. Consider requiring candidates to take a skills test related to the medical field.
9. Make a job offer to your chosen candidate.
10 . Draw up an employment contract that outlines the expectations and duties of both parties involved

Conclusion

In conclusion, hiring a medical assistant can be a great way to improve your practice. Taking the time to find the right candidate will pay off in the long run. Be sure to consider your needs, budget, and the type of person you want on your team. With a little effort, you can find the perfect medical assistant for your practice.