Medical Assistant Jobs in Bellingham, WA
Contents
- What does a medical assistant do?
- What are the job duties of a medical assistant?
- What are the educational requirements for a medical assistant?
- What are the skills required for a medical assistant?
- What are the medical assistant job outlook and salary?
- What are the medical assistant job openings in Bellingham, WA?
- What are the medical assistant job responsibilities in Bellingham, WA?
- What are the medical assistant job qualifications in Bellingham, WA?
- How to become a medical assistant in Bellingham, WA?
- What are the medical assistant training programs in Bellingham, WA?
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What does a medical assistant do?
A medical assistant is a person who has completed an accredited medical assisting program and is certified by the state in which they work to perform various duties in a physician’s office.
Medical assistants usually work in the front office, taking phone calls, scheduling appointments, and greeting patients. They may also work in the back office, performing tasks such as taking patient medical histories, preparing patients for examinations, giving injections, measuring vital signs, and assisting with Minor office procedures. In some states, Medical assistants may also be allowed to perform more advanced tasks such as giving electrocardiograms (EKGs) or removing sutures.
What are the job duties of a medical assistant?
The job duties of a medical assistant vary depending on the size and type of healthcare facility where they work. However, there are some duties that are common to most medical assistant positions. These duties include:
-Clinical tasks: Medical Assistants usually perform some clinical tasks, such as taking vital signs or drawing blood.
-Administrative tasks: Many medical assistants also perform administrative tasks, such as scheduling appointments or handling billing and insurance paperwork.
-Patient education: Medical assistants often play a role in patient education, informing patients about their medications or health conditions.
What are the educational requirements for a medical assistant?
The educational requirements for a medical assistant vary by state, but most states require that medical assistants have at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Some states also require medical assistants to complete an accredited medical assisting program.
What are the skills required for a medical assistant?
Most employers require medical assistant candidates to have a high school diploma or equivalent, although some may prefer or require postsecondary education, and some may accept on-the-job training in lieu of formal education. Many medical assistants have completed postsecondary education programs of varying length, although not all of these programs are accredited. Medical assistant programs typically award a certificate or diploma, and take from several months to a year to complete. Some community colleges offer associate’s degree programs in medical assisting. These programs generally take two years to complete and may include an externship as part of the curriculum.
What are the medical assistant job outlook and salary?
The medical assistant job outlook is positive, with a projected 23% growth in jobs from 2016 to 2026.* This is much faster than the average for all occupations. The demand for medical assistants is expected to come from the aging baby-boom population, which will lead to an increase in the number of medical procedures and office visits.
As the population ages, there will be an increased demand for preventive medical services, which are often provided by medical assistants. Medical assistants take on a variety of roles in physician offices, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. As such, their duties vary from office to office but usually includes taking and recording patients’ vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, administering medications as directed by a physician, conducting diagnostic tests, providing patient education and assisting with billing and insurance processing.
In terms of salary, the median annual wage for medical assistants was $33,610 in May 2017.* The lowest 10 percent earned less than $24,280, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $47,350. Earnings vary according to experience, skill level, geographic location and employer type.
What are the medical assistant job openings in Bellingham, WA?
Medical assistants are in high demand in Bellingham, WA, as the city is home to several hospitals and healthcare facilities. Currently, there are over 1,000 medical assistant job openings in the city. Most medical assistant jobs in Bellingham, WA are full-time positions, though there are also part-time and per diem positions available. The average salary for a medical assistant in Bellingham, WA is $17 per hour.
What are the medical assistant job responsibilities in Bellingham, WA?
The medical assistant job responsibilities in Bellingham, WA are providing basic patient care, taking medical histories and recording vital signs, scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records billing and coding insurance forms, and handling correspondence.
What are the medical assistant job qualifications in Bellingham, WA?
The medical assistant job qualifications in Bellingham, WA may vary depending on the employer. However, most employers require medical assistants to have a high school diploma or equivalent, and some formal training from an accredited program. In addition, many employers prefer to hire medical assistants who are certified by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
How to become a medical assistant in Bellingham, WA?
In order to become a medical assistant in Bellingham, WA, you will need to complete a formal education program and obtain certification from an accredited institution. This can be done through a variety of schools and programs, both online and in-person. Once you have completed your formal education, you will then need to pass the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam in order to be eligible for employment.
What are the medical assistant training programs in Bellingham, WA?
There are many medical assistant training programs in Bellingham, WA. Some of these programs are offered by community colleges, while others are offered by private vocational schools. The length of the program varies, but most last between six and twelve months.
The curriculum for most medical assistant training programs includes courses in Medical Terminology anatomy and physiology, medical office procedures, insurance billing and coding, and medical office software applications. In addition, students will complete a externship in a medical office setting. Upon completion of the program, students will be eligible to take the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam.