Medical Assistant Classes in Chicago
Contents
- Introduction to Medical Assisting
- The Role of a Medical Assistant
- Medical Assistant Classes in Chicago
- The Benefits of Medical Assisting
- The duties of a Medical Assistant
- The skills required to be a Medical Assistant
- The job outlook for Medical Assistants
- The salary of a Medical Assistant
- The working hours of a Medical Assistant
- The career path of a Medical Assistant
If you’re looking for a medical assistant program in Chicago, check out our list of top schools to get you started on your career path.
Checkout this video:
Introduction to Medical Assisting
Medical assisting is one of the most important and rewarding careers in health care today. If you are interested in a career in health care, but don’t want to be a doctor or a nurse, medical assisting may be the perfect choice for you.
Medical assistants perform a variety of tasks in doctors’ offices, clinics, and other health care settings. They may take medical histories and record vital signs, prepare patients for examination, assist the physician during the exam, give injections, collect and process laboratory specimens, schedule appointments,arrenging laboratory tests and x-rays , authorizing prescription refill requests , handling correspondence , billing and coding insurance forms and handling bookkeeping duties. In addition, Medical assistants often teach patients about good health maintenance and disease prevention.
If you are interested in becoming a medical assistant there are many different ways to do so. Many community colleges offer certificate or associate degree programs in medical assisting. These programs usually take about two years to complete. There are also several private schools that offer medical assistant programs.
Once you have completed your education, you will need to pass a certification exam to become a certified medical assistant (CMA). In some states, you may also need to pass a state-specific exam. Once you have passed your exams, you will be ready to begin your career as a medical assistant!
The Role of a Medical Assistant
Medical Assistants are in high demand nationwide, and the job outlook for those trained in the field is very positive. The role of a medical assistant is both important and varied, as these professionals perform both administrative and clinical tasks in support of physicians and other healthcare staff.
If you’re thinking about becoming a medical assistant, you may be wondering what the job entails. Below is a brief overview of some of the most common duties performed by medical assistants:
· greeting patients and scheduling appointments
· updating patient medical records
· taking patient vital signs
· preparing patients for exams
· assisting with minor office surgeries
· administering injections and medications
· applying dressings and bandages
· sterilizing equipment
Medical Assistant Classes in Chicago
Medical Assistant Classes in Chicago are designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to enter the medical field.
The classes cover a wide range of topics, including Medical Terminology anatomy and physiology, medical office procedures, insurance billing and coding, and more. In addition to classroom instruction, students will also have the opportunity to participate in hands-on lab sessions and clinical rotations.
Medical Assistant Classes in Chicago are typically offered at community colleges and technical schools. Some programs may require students to complete an externship before graduation.
The Benefits of Medical Assisting
Medical assistants play an important role in helping doctors and nurses provide care to patients. They are responsible for a variety of tasks, including taking medical histories, recording vital signs, giving patient vaccinations, and helping with examinations.
Medical assistants also play an important role in administrative tasks, such as scheduling appointments, billing insurance companies, and ordering supplies. In some cases, they may also be responsible for handling medical records
The job outlook for medical assistants is very good. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of medical assistants will grow 29 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is due to the increasing number of aging baby boomers who will need more medical care as they age.
There are many benefits to becoming a medical assistant. Medical assistants earn good salaries and often have flexible schedules. They also have the opportunity to work in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, clinics, and private practices.
The duties of a Medical Assistant
Most medical assistants have postsecondary education such as a certificate. Others may have completed a 2-year associate degree program in medical assisting.
Typical duties of the job include:
Answering patient questions and providing instructions
Taking and recording medical histories and vital signs
Explaining treatment procedures to patients
Preparing patients for examination
Assisting the physician during examinations
Collecting and preparing laboratory specimens
Performing basic laboratory tests
Instructing patients about medication and special diets
Preparing and administering medications as directed by a physician
Filing insurance forms
scheduling patient appointments
The skills required to be a Medical Assistant
In order to become a Medical Assistant, there are several skills that you will need to acquire. These include:
-An ability to communicate effectively with patients, doctors, and other medical staff
-An ability to understand and follow medical instructions
– clerical skills including scheduling appointments and handling medical records
– basic medical knowledge includingfirst aid, EKG monitoring and basic pharmacy procedures
– computer skills in order to input patient data and use Electronic Health Records (EHRs)
If you have these skills, or are willing to acquire them, then a career as a Medical Assistant may be right for you!
The job outlook for Medical Assistants
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 19 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. The growth of the aging baby-boom population will continue to increase demand for preventive medical services, which are often provided by medical assistants. As a result, physicians will hire more medical assistants to perform routine administrative and clinical duties, allowing the physicians to see more patients.
The salary of a Medical Assistant
There are many reasons to consider a career as a medical assistant. Perhaps you’re looking for a career that is both challenging and rewarding. Or maybe you’re interested in a career that will allow you to help others. Whatever your reasons, if you’re thinking about becoming a medical assistant, you’re probably wondering about the medical assistant salary.
In general, medical assistants earn a median salary of $33,610 per year. The top 10% of medical assistants earn more than $47,880 per year, while the bottom 10% earn less than $23,340 per year. Salaries will vary based on factors such as experience, education, and location. For example, medical assistants who work in metropolitan areas tend to earn more than those who work in rural areas.
If you’re thinking about becoming a medical assistant, it’s important to consider all of the factors that will affect your salary. With the right education and training, you can be on your way to earning a good salary in this growing field.
The working hours of a Medical Assistant
Medical Assistants generally work full time, although some may work part time. They work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, physician’s offices, and long-term care facilities. Some Medical Assistants have flexible working hours, and may be able to work evenings or weekends.
Most Medical Assistants work in doctors’ offices. They may be responsible for scheduling appointments, taking medical histories and verifying insurance coverage. They also may take vital signs such as blood pressure, weight, and temperature. In addition, they may prepare patients for examination, assist the doctor during the examination, and collect and prepare laboratory specimens.
The career path of a Medical Assistant
Medical assistants work alongside licensed medical practitioners to provide patient care. They perform administrative and clinical tasks in order to keep the medical practice running smoothly. Medical assistants must be able to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, and other members of the healthcare team.
The career path of a medical assistant typically involves completing an accredited medical assistant program and passing the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam. Once certified, medical assistants can find employment in a variety of healthcare settings including hospitals, clinics, and physician’s offices.