What Does a Medical Assistant Do?
Contents
A medical assistant is a multi-skilled professional who supports the work of physicians and other health professionals.
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Job Description
A medical assistant is a person who performs routine administrative and clinical tasks in a doctor’s office. Medical assistants are trained on the job or through postsecondary education programs such as community colleges,vocational schools, and online courses.
Most Medical Assistants have completed a postsecondary education program of one to two years. Some States regulate medical assistants, and employers may prefer to hire those who are certified.
Medical assistants must be able to perform both administrative and clinical duties. Administrative duties include answering patients’ questions, scheduling appointments, handling correspondence, billing, and coding for insurance purposes. Clinical duties include taking medical histories and recording vital signs, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, handling laboratory specimens, and giving injections.
Some medical assistants specialize in performing only clinical or only administrative duties; however most perform both types of duties.
Salary
How much does a Medical Assistant make?
The national average salary for a Medical Assistant is $33,610 in United States Filter by location to see Medical Assistant salaries in your area. Salary estimates are based on 65,233 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by Medical Assistant employees
Job Outlook
The job outlook for medical assistants is positive, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting a 29 percent growth in employment from 2016 to 2026. This is much faster than the average for all occupations. The aging Baby Boomer population is one reason for the projected growth, as this group will increasingly need medical care. In addition, as more and more insurance companies are requiring that patients see primary care physicians rather than specialists, there will be an increasing demand for medical assistants.
Education and Training
Most medical assistants have postsecondary education such as a certificate or diploma from an accredited program. Many programs are offered in community colleges, technical schools, hospitals, and universities. Some states require medical assistants to complete an accredited program and pass a certification exam to earn their credential.
Skills
In order to work as a medical assistant, you will need to have some specific skills. These include:
-The ability to communicate effectively with patients, doctors, and other medical staff
-Strong organizational skills
-Attention to detail
-The ability to handle confidential information
-Basic computer skills
Work Environment
Medical assistants work in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, physician’s offices, and other outpatient facilities. Many medical assistants work full time, but some work part time. Some medical assistants work evenings and weekends to accommodate the schedules of their patients.
Career Paths
Medical assistants are indispensable members of the healthcare team. They work alongside doctors and nurses to provide care for patients.
Medical assistants perform a variety of tasks, including taking medical histories, scheduling appointments, handling insurance paperwork, and helping patients understand their medical options. They also perform basic laboratory tests and take X-rays.
Most medical assistants have at least a high school diploma, although some have completed formal training programs. employer may require certification from a professional organization such as the American Association of Medical Assistants.
With experience, medical assistants can move into positions with more responsibility, such as office manager or lead medical assistant. Some go on to become nurse practitioners or physician assistants.
Job Growth
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.
What Does the Future Hold?
Medical assistants play a vital role in the healthcare industry. They are responsible for performing a variety of tasks to support doctors and other medical staff. The demand for medical assistants is expected to grow in the coming years as the healthcare industry expands.
There are many reasons why the demand for medical assistants is expected to grow. The population is aging and will need more medical care. In addition, the Affordable Care Act is expected to increase the number of people who have health insurance and who can afford to see a doctor. This will create more opportunities for medical assistants.
If you are considering a career as a medical assistant, there are many things you can do to prepare. It is important to get a good education, and many community colleges offer programs that can lead to a career in this field. You should also consider getting certification from an accredited program. This will give you the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this field.
10.Conclusion
In conclusion, medical assistants perform a variety of important tasks in healthcare settings. They are responsible for greeting patients, scheduling appointments, taking medical histories and providing support to doctors and nurses. In addition, medical assistants may also perform basic laboratory tests, give injections and assist with patient examinations. With the vast array of duties they perform, medical assistants play a vital role in the smooth running of any healthcare facility.
