Medical Assistants in Calgary

At Alberta College of Medical assistants (ACMA) in Calgary, we train and certify outstanding medical professionals. Our students are placed with some of the top employers in the city.

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Job Description

Medical Assistants provide support to licensed medical practitioners in offices and clinics. They might perform administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, handling correspondence and billing, or they may be responsible for clinical tasks such as taking patients’ vital signs, giving injections, taking laboratory specimens and recording medical histories. Medical Assistants usually work in physicians’ offices, hospitals, out-patient clinics or other healthcare facilities.

Duties

Medical assistants play a vital role in the healthcare team. They are the link between the doctor and the patient, and they provide essential support to both.

Medical assistants in Calgary are responsible for a variety of tasks, including:

– Taking patient histories
– Recording vital signs
– Assisting with examination and treatment
– Giving injections and performing minor surgical procedures
– Scheduling appointments
– Handling insurance paperwork
– answering phones

Education and Training

Medical assistants in Calgary generally have a high school diploma or equivalent. Many programs also require certification from a national body such as the Canadian Society of Medical Assistants. Some employers may require post-secondary education, such as a medical assistant diploma from a community college.

Certification

Medical assistants in Calgary are unlicensed individuals who perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the supervision of licensed health care professionals. In Alberta, there is no formal certification or educational requirement to become a medical assistant However, many medical assistants in Calgary have successfully completed a certificate or diploma program at an accredited institution.

Medical assistants are often the first point of contact between patients and the healthcare team, and they play a vital role in patient care and satisfaction. They typically work in clinics, doctor’s offices, hospitals, and other health care facilities. Medical assistants in Calgary perform a variety of tasks, including greeting patients, scheduling appointments, handling correspondence, preparing patients for examination, taking medical histories and vital signs, assisting with minor office surgeries, maintaining medical records and billing patients.

Salary

The average salary for a medical assistant in Calgary is C$47,741 per year. Salary estimates are based on 26 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 6-10 years.

Job Outlook

As of May 2017, there were 1,200 medical assistants employed in Calgary. Employment for medical assistants is projected to grow 14 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. The demand for healthcare services is expected to increase as the population ages.

Most job openings will result from the need to replace workers who retire or leave the occupation permanently.

7.Pros and Cons

Medical assisting is a dynamic and multifaceted profession. It offers many opportunities and rewards, as well as some challenges. The following is a discussion of some of the pros and cons of medical assisting.

Pros:
The job outlook for medical assistants is excellent. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical assistants is expected to grow 29 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.1 This growth is due to several factors, including an increase in the number of medical clinics and an aging population that requires more medical care.

As a medical assistant, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you are helping people by providing essential services that enable them to receive the health care they need. You will also have the opportunity to work with a variety of health care professionals, such as doctors, nurses, and pharmacists. This can give you a well-rounded view of how the health care system works and how you can contribute to its effectiveness.

Another advantage of being a medical assistant is that it offers flexibility in terms of job location and hours worked. Medical assistants can often find employment in small towns as well as large cities. And, because many clinics are open evenings and weekends, you may be able to find a position that fits your schedule if you have other commitments during traditional daytime hours.

Cons:
One potential downside of working as a medical assistant is that the job can be physically demanding at times. You may be required to lift patients or assist them in getting out of bed, for example. If you have any concerns about your ability to perform these tasks, be sure to raise them with your employer before taking a job.

Another potential drawback is that medical assisting can be emotionally demanding as well as physically demanding. You may see ill or injured patients on a regular basis, and some of their conditions may be serious or even life-threatening. This can take an emotional toll over time, so it’s important to make sure you have a good support system in place outside of work if you choose this career path

Working Conditions

Medical assistants in Calgary work in a wide variety of settings. They may be employed in hospitals, clinics, physician’s offices, or other health care facilities. Calgary medical assistants may also be self-employed or work for companies that provide services to health care facilities.

Most medical assistants work full time, and some work evenings or weekends. Many medical assistants have flexible job schedules that allow them to take advantage of child care or family obligations.

Calgary Medical Assistants Association

The Calgary Medical Assistants Association (CMAA) is a non-profit professional organization representing medical assistants in Calgary and the surrounding area. We are committed to promoting excellence in medical assisting through education and advocacy.

We offer a variety of educational events and programs throughout the year, including an annual conference, workshops, and webinars. We also provide a forum for networking and exchanging information among members.

Our membership includes medical assistants who work in all settings, including hospitals, clinics, physician offices, and other health care organizations. We welcome new members at any time – membership is open to anyone with an interest in medical assisting.

Find a Job

There are many medical assistants in Calgary. To find a job, you can try searching online, in newspapers, or through job board postings. You can also try contacting a local hospital or clinic directly.