The Top 5 Skills Every Medical Assistant Needs in 2015

Medical assistants are vital members of the healthcare team. They perform a variety of tasks to keep the office running smoothly and support the work of physicians and other medical professionals.

To be successful in this role, Medical assistants need to have a strong set of skills. Here are the top five skills every medical assistant needs in 2015:

1. Communication
2. Organizational skills
3. Medical knowledge
4. Computer skills
5. people skills

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Communication skills

Medical assistants are the link between patients and the rest of the healthcare team. They need to be able to effectively communicate with both patients and providers in order to provide quality care. Communication skills are essential in all aspects of the medical assistant’s job, from taking medical histories and documenting patient information, to answering phone calls and scheduling appointments.

Medical assistants must be able to clearly explain things to patients, listen attentively to their concerns, and show empathy. They also need to be able to take direction from physicians and other members of the healthcare team. Excellent communication skills are essential for a successful career as a medical assistant

Organizational skills

Organizational skills are important for medical assistants in 2015 for a few reasons. First, the medical field is increasingly shifting toward electronic health records (EHRs). This means that there is more data to keep track of, and it needs to be well organized. Second, with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), patients are likely to have more complex insurance coverage, which will require medical assistants to be even more organized in order to ensure that claims are filed correctly. Finally, with an aging population, there are likely to be more elderly patients with chronic conditions who will need coordinating care from multiple specialists. Medical assistants need to be able to keep track of all of this information and keep it organized so that the patient receives the best possible care.

people skills

One of the most important skills a medical assistant can have is excellent people skills. A medical assistant will be interacting with patients on a daily basis, often during very sensitive or emotional times in their lives. It’s important that a medical assistant be able to put patients at ease, answer their questions compassionately, and treat them with respect.

In addition to excellent people skills, a medical assistant needs to be organized and detail-oriented. Medical assistants are often responsible for maintaining patient files and scheduling appointments, so they need to be able to keep track of many different details. They also need to be able to communicate effectively with other members of the healthcare team, so that everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goal.

A third important skill for medical assistants is the ability to handle stress. The job can be demanding and sometimes chaotic, so it’s important that medical assistants be able to stay calm under pressure. This might mean taking a few deep breaths when things get hectic or taking a few minutes to regroup during a break. Whatever the method, it’s important that medical assistants find a way to manage their stress so that it doesn’t affect their work.

Fourth on our list is flexibility. Medical assistants need to be flexible in order to deal with the constantly changing needs of patients and the healthcare system as a whole. This might mean being able to work different hours on different days or being able to switch gears at a moment’s notice. Whatever the case may be, medical assistants need to be flexible in order to best meet the needs of their patients.

Last but not least, medical assistants need excellent clinical skills. This includes everything from taking vital signs and doing basic lab tests to assisting with more complex procedures. Medical assistants need to have a good knowledge of human anatomy and physiology and be comfortable working with patients of all ages. They also need to know how to use common medical equipment and understand basic infection control procedures.

computer skills

Every medical assistant needs to be proficient in computer skills. This includes being able to type accurately, using a variety of software programs, and having experience with electronic medical records (EMRs). According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 29 percent from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations.” With this rapid growth, it’s more important than ever for medical assistants to have strong computer skills.

In addition to computer skills, medical assistants need to be detail-oriented and organized. They must be able to multitask and stay calm under pressure. Good customer service skills are also essential, as medical assistants often interact with patients. Finally, medical assistants need to be able to effectively communicate with both patients and healthcare professionals.

Medical knowledge

One of the most important skills a medical assistant can have is medical knowledge. Medical assistants must be able to understand and explain medical procedures, diagnoses and treatments to patients. They also need to be able to collect patient information and relay it to doctors and other members of the healthcare team.

good bedside manner, as they will be dealing with patients who are often anxious or in pain. They should also be able to work well under pressure, as the healthcare environment can be hectic at times.

In addition to medical knowledge, medical assistants need to have strong communication skills. They should have aMedical assistants also need strong organizational skills as they will be responsible for managing patients’ Medical records and scheduling appointments. They should also be proficient in computer use, as many doctors’ offices and hospitals now use electronic health records.