The Medical Assistant’s Pocket Book of Essential Information

This pocket-sized reference book provides quick access to the essential information Medical assistants need to know on the job.

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The Medical Assistant’s Role

Medical assistants are vital members of the healthcare team. They are responsible for performing a variety of clinical and administrative tasks to keep the office running smoothly.

Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs, assisting with examinations and procedures, collecting and processing lab specimens, and performing basic lab tests. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records handling billing and insurance claims, and managing office supplies.

In order to perform their duties effectively, medical assistants must be proficient in a variety of skills. These include excellent communication skills, both oral and written; strong interpersonal skills; excellent organizational skills; and the ability to multitask and work well under pressure. In addition, medical assistants must be able to maintain confidentiality and show compassion and empathy for patients.

Duties of a Medical Assistant

The duties of a medical assistant vary depending on the state in which they practice, but they typically include a combination of administrative tasks and clinical duties.

Medical assistants perform administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments, answering phones, and handling billing and insurance paperwork. They also perform clinical tasks such as taking patients’ vital signs, preparing them for examination, assisting with procedures, and giving injections. In some states, medical assistants may also be allowed to perform more advanced tasks such as reading X-rays or removing sutures.

Medical assistants typically work in physicians’ offices, hospitals, and clinics. They may be assigned to work in a specific department such as pediatrics or surgery, or they may rotate through different departments throughout the day.

medical assistant Education

Education and training requirements for medical assistants vary by state, but most states require completion of a formal education program that leads to a certificate or diploma. These programs, which typically last one year or less, are offered by technical institutes, community colleges, online schools, and some four-year colleges. A few states allow on-the-job training in lieu of formal education.

Most medical assistant programs include both classroom and clinical instruction. Coursework typically covers topics such as medical ethics, patient confidentiality, medical law, Medical Terminology anatomy, physiology, and first aid. Clinical courses provide students with opportunities to gain hands-on experience performing basic lab tests and diagnostic procedures, taking patient vital signs, removing stitches and changing dressings, scheduling appointments, handling correspondence, billing and coding insurance forms, and recording patients’ medical histories.

Medical Assistant Certification

There are a variety of credentialing organizations that offer medical assistant certification. The most popular certification is offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). To be eligible to sit for the AAMA’s Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam, candidates must have completed an accredited medical assistant program and have graduated from high school or have an equivalent credential, such as a General Educational Development (GED) certificate. Candidates must also have completed a minimum of five years of work experience as a medical assistant, or a combination of education and work experience totaling five years.

Salary and Job Outlook for Medical Assistants

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for medical assistants was $33,610 in May 2017. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $23,650, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $47,710. Most medical assistants work in physicians’ offices, hospitals, and outpatient care centers. Job growth for medical assistants is projected to be much faster than the average for all occupations between 2016 and 2026—29 percent compared with 7 percent for all occupations.

The Medical Assistant’s Work Schedule

The medical assistant’s work schedule will vary depending on the hours that the medical office is open. Most medical assistants work full time, but some may work part time, evenings, or weekends.

The Medical Assistant’s Work Environment

The medical assistant’s work environment may be in a hospital, physician’s office, clinic, or other outpatient facility. The position may be full time, part time, or on a per-diem basis. Many medical assistants work evenings or weekends to accommodate the schedules of patients and physicians. Medical assistants typically report to a physician, nurse, office manager, or another health care professional.

The Medical Assistant’s Job Satisfaction

While most medical assistants report high job satisfaction, those who are dissatisfied often cite low pay and a lack of opportunities for advancement as the primary reasons.MA’s who are content in their jobs tend to appreciate the satisfaction that comes from providing quality patient care and supporting the medical staff in their daily tasks. If you’re considering a career as a medical assistant, be sure to research the pay and advancement opportunities in your area so that you can be sure that the job will meet your needs.

The Medical Assistant’s Career Path

The medical assistant profession is one of the fastest-growing in the United States Medical assistants perform a variety of administrative and clinical tasks to support the work of physicians and other health professionals.

The job outlook for medical assistants is very good. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of medical assistants will grow by 29 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is due to the increasing demand for healthcare services as the population ages.

There are several ways to become a medical assistant. Many programs offer certification, but it is not always required. Some states have specific licensing requirements for medical assistants, so be sure to check with your state’s Board of Medicine before beginning your career.

The best way to prepare for a career as a medical assistant is to complete an accredited program that offers both classroom and clinical training. Once you have completed your training, you will be able to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).

The Medical Assistant’s Professionalism

As a medical assistant, you are a professional. You are expected to dress and behave in a manner that is respectful of patients and conveys professionalism. You are a member of the health care team, and your actions reflect on the team as a whole.

Your professional demeanor also conveys respect for yourself. By acting and dressing professionally, you are conveying to others that you take pride in your work and that you are confident in your abilities. You are also more likely to be respected and trusted by those with whom you work.