Medical Assistant Jobs in Lake City, FL
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Check out the latest medical assistant jobs in Lake City, FL. We’ve got openings for certified and registered Medical assistants
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Job description
The job description for medical assistants in Lake City, FL typically includes performing administrative and clinical tasks in a healthcare setting. Medical assistants may be responsible for scheduling appointments, taking patient medical histories and vital signs, preparing patients for examination, and assisting the physician with medical procedures. In addition, medical assistants may also perform basic laboratory tests, prepare and maintain medical records and bill and code insurance forms.
Duties and responsibilities
Medical assistants in Lake City, FL are multi-skilled health professionals who perform both administrative and clinical duties. They work under the supervision of licensed health care providers such as doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants.
Most medical assistants have completed a postsecondary education program that lasts anywhere from several months to a year. Some states require medical assistants to be certified.
The duties and responsibilities of medical assistants vary depending on state law, employer type, and specific job duties. However, there are some common tasks that medical assistants perform regardless of their Work environment. These tasks include:
-Answering phones and routing calls
-Scheduling appointments and taking messages
-Preparing patients for examinations and procedures
-Taking vital signs such as blood pressure, weight, and temperature
-Drawing blood and processing specimen
-Assisting with minor surgical procedures
-Applying bandages and other wound care treatments
-Educating patients about health maintenance
-Providing referrals to other healthcare professionals
Qualifications and skills
Education: You will need at least a high school diploma or the equivalent to be a medical assistant although some employers may prefer candidates who have completed postsecondary education, such as a certificate or diploma program from a medical assisting program offered by a community college, vocational-technical school, or career school.
Licensure and Certification: Although certification is not required in all states, some employers may prefer to hire certified medical assistants. In addition, certain states have licensure requirements for medical assistants.
Skills: To be successful in this career, you will need to have good communication skills, both oral and written, as you will be interacting with patients on a daily basis. You should also be able to work well under pressure as the job can be fast-paced at times. Good organizational skills are also important as you will be responsible for keeping track of patients’ records and appointments.
Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm#tab-6
Education and training
Medical assistant programs are typically offered at community colleges, technical schools, and vocational schools. Some hospitals, private medical offices, and clinics offer on-the-job training for medical assistants. A few online schools offer medical assistant programs too.
Most entry-level positions require a high school diploma or equivalent, although some employers may prefer candidates with postsecondary education or relevant experience.
Prospective medical assistants should take classes in computer usage and keyboarding, as many of their duties will involve entering patient information into electronic health records. Medical assisting programs typically last about 1 year and lead to a certificate or diploma. Some programs culminate in an associate degree in medical assistance.
Salary and benefits
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for medical assistants in Lake City, FL is $30,590. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $21,370, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $41,610.
Benefits vary by employer, but they may include health insurance retirement savings plans, paid vacation and sick days, and continuing education opportunities.
Job outlook
The median annual wage for medical assistants was $33,610 in May 2018. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $23,760, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $48,720.
Working conditions
Medical assistant jobs in Lake City, FL vary in terms of working conditions. Some medical assistants work in traditional office settings, while others may work in hospitals or outpatient clinics. However, all medical assistants typically perform the same duties, such as taking patient medical histories and vital signs, assisting physicians with exams and procedures, scheduling appointments and tests, and more.
Advancement opportunities
Many medical assistants take on additional responsibilities to advance their careers. Some may pursue positions such as office manager, Medical records supervisor, or insurance biller/coder. Others may return to school to earn a registered medical assistant (RMA) credential or a bachelor’s degree in health administration or a related field.
What to expect
When considering a job in the medical field, it is important to know what to expect. Although most medical assistant jobs in Lake City, FL are entry-level positions, they are still an important part of the healthcare team. As a medical assistant, you will be responsible for various tasks that support the work of physicians and other medical professionals.
Most medical assistants have completed a postsecondary education program that lasts about one year. These programs typically include both classroom and clinical instruction. After completing a training program, you will be able to take the voluntary Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
As a medical assistant, you can expect to perform a variety of tasks, including greeting patients, scheduling appointments, taking and recording vital signs, updating patient records, preparing patients for exams, assisting with procedures, and collecting lab specimens. You may also be responsible for scheduling patient follow-up visits and handling billing and insurance paperwork.
The majority of medical assistants work in physician’s offices, but they may also work in hospitals, clinics, or other healthcare facilities. If you are considering a career as a medical assistant, you can expect to find plenty of job opportunities in Lake City, FL.
How to apply
To apply for medical assistant jobs in Lake City, FL, you will need to submit a resume and cover letter. You may also need to complete an application form.