Medical Assistant Jobs in Wausau, WI
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Wausau, WI is a great place to work as a medical assistant! Check out our blog to learn more about the best medical assistant jobs in Wausau, WI.
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Job Description
A medical assistant is an allied health professional who supports the work of physicians and other health professionals, usually in a clinic setting. Medical assistants perform a variety of administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians and other health practitioners running smoothly. The duties of Medical Assistants vary from office to office, depending on the size and type of practice. They may schedule appointments, take and record medical histories and vital signs, prepare patients for examination, authorize referrals and laboratory tests, run errands, maintain medical records handle correspondence, bill patients and insurance companies, dispose of contaminated supplies, collect laboratory specimens for testing, sterilize equipment, give injections when directed by a physician or nurse, change dressings on wounds or incisions as directed by a physician or nurse.
Duties and Responsibilities
Medical assistants perform many duties and responsibilities to keep the offices of doctors and other health practitioners running smoothly. In small offices, medical assistants might perform all of the administrative and clinical duties. In large practices, medical assistants specialize in either clinical or administrative duties.
Clinical medical assistants prepare patients for examination and treatment. They take and record patients’ vital signs, such as blood pressure and temperature. They also might remove sutures (stitches), apply bandages, take blood samples, and prepare patients for X-rays.
Administrative medical assistants handle the business side of a medical practice. They schedule appointments, compile and maintain patients’ Medical records bill patients and insurance companies, order supplies, answer phones, greet patients when they arrive, and often schedule laboratory tests and hospital admissions.
Qualifications
In order to qualify for medical assistant jobs in Wausau, WI, you will need to have completed an accredited training program and have passed the CMA (AAMA) certification exam. Many employers will also require you to have CPR certification and basic first aid training. Once you have completed your training and obtained your certification, you will be able to apply for medical assistant jobs in Wausau, WI.
Education and Training
Most medical assistants have completed a postsecondary education program of up to one year. These programs are available at many community colleges, technical schools, and vocational schools. Some programs take as little as 6 weeks to complete, but most last around 2 semesters, or 9 months. Longer programs usually lead to an associate degree. A few medical assistants have a bachelor’s degree in medical assisting, but this is not required for the job.
Salary and Job Outlook
The average salary for a Medical Assistant in Wausau, WI is $15.46 per hour. The average salary range for a Medical Assistant is between $13.62 and $17.30. On average, a High School Degree is the highest level of education for a Medical Assistant. This position appears in the 2016 edition of the Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Working Conditions
Medical assistants usually work in well-lit, clean offices and clinics. They may spend a lot of time on their feet. They may have to work nights or weekends. Some medical assistants travel with physicians on rounds or to other facilities.
Advancement Opportunities
There are many opportunities for advancement for medical assistants in Wausau, WI. With experience, a medical assistant may become a supervisor, office manager, or billing and coding specialist. With additional education, a medical assistant may become a licensed practical nurse or a registered nurse.
Wausau, WI
Medical assistants perform a variety of tasks to support the work of physicians and other health professionals in Wisconsin. They may take medical histories, prepare patients for examination, provide routine diagnostic testing, assist with patient education, and perform office and laboratory procedures under the supervision of a physician. Many medical assistants have postsecondary education, although some enter the occupation after completing high school.
How to Get Started
There are a few different ways to become a medical assistant in Wausau, WI. The most common path is to complete an accredited medical assistant program and pass the certified medical assistant (CMA) exam.
another option is to complete a non-accredited training program and then pass an exam administered by the American Medical Technologists (AMT).
Once you have completed a training program and passed the required exams, you will need to apply for a medical assistant license through the Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing.
Related Careers
If you’re interested in becoming a medical assistant, you might also be interested in related careers, such as:
-Registered nurses (RNs)
-Licensed practical nurses (LPNs)
-Physicians and surgeons
-Medical and health services managers