Medical Assistant Will Train You for a Successful Career
Contents
- Introduction to medical assisting
- What does a medical assistant do?
- The duties of a medical assistant
- The skills of a medical assistant
- The training of a medical assistant
- The career of a medical assistant
- The benefits of being a medical assistant
- The salary of a medical assistant
- The job outlook for medical assistants
- How to become a medical assistant
A medical assistant career is a great choice for those who want to help others and have a successful career. Training to become a medical assistant is the first step to take.
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Introduction to medical assisting
Medical assisting is a promising career field with a wide range of job responsibilities. As a medical assistant, you may find yourself working in a doctor’s office, clinic, or hospital, performing tasks such as taking patients’ vital signs, updating medical records scheduling appointments, and assisting with minor medical procedures.
With the aging of the Baby Boomer generation and the Affordable Care Act increasing access to health care the demand for Medical assistants is expected to grow much faster than average in the coming years. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 29 percent from 2016 to 2026 — much faster than the average for all occupations.
If you’re interested in a career in medical assisting, you may be wondering how to get started. While some medical assistants have on-the-job training, many employers prefer to hire candidates who have completed an accredited training program.
Accredited programs typically take about one year to complete and include both classroom and clinical instruction. During your training, you’ll learn how to perform basic clinical tasks such as taking blood pressure and drawing blood, as well as administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments and billing insurance companies.
What does a medical assistant do?
A medical assistant is a professional who provides medical and administrative support to a healthcare team. They are responsible for a variety of tasks, including taking medical histories, scheduling appointments, and handling insurance paperwork. Medical assistants may also take patients’ vital signs, prepare them for examination, and assist the doctor or nurse with routine procedures.
The duties of a medical assistant
The duties of a medical assistant are wide-ranging and depend on the size and type of medical practice. In a small private practice, a medical assistant might take on many different tasks, from answering phones and scheduling appointments to handling billing and coding. In a large hospital or clinic, medical assistants might be responsible for specific tasks, such as provide patient care or work in the lab.
Regardless of their specific duties, all medical assistants must be able to work well under pressure, be detail oriented, and have excellent customer service skills. They must also be able to multitask and be proficient in computer applications.
The skills of a medical assistant
As a medical assistant, you will be responsible for a variety of tasks, from scheduling appointments to taking medical histories and performing basic laboratory tests. In order to be successful in this career, you will need to have excellent communication skills, as well as the ability to work well under pressure. You will also need to be detail-oriented and organized, as you will be responsible for maintaining patient records. In addition, you should have a strong interest in medicine and helping others. If you have these qualities, then a career as a medical assistant may be the perfect choice for you!
The training of a medical assistant
The medical assistant training is a process that gives you the skills and knowledge necessary to perform the duties of a medical assistant. These include tasks such as taking medical histories, measuring patients’ vital signs, and assisting physicians with office procedures.
The training process can be completed in as little as nine months, but it is important to choose a program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). This will ensure that you receive the highest quality education and are prepared to take the certified medical assistant exam.
The career of a medical assistant
Medical assistants are in high demand! They are an important part of the healthcare team, providing support to doctors and other medical staff. If you’re thinking about a career in healthcare, training to be a medical assistant is a great option. Here’s what you need to know about this rewarding career.
Medical assistants perform a variety of tasks, including taking patient medical histories, scheduling appointments, handling insurance paperwork, and more. They also may take on administrative duties such as handling office finances or ordering supplies. In some states, they may even be able to perform certain clinical tasks like giving injections or taking X-rays.
With the aging Baby Boomer population and the increasing number of people with health insurance thanks to the Affordable Care Act the demand for medical assistants is expected to grow much faster than average in the coming years. In fact, employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 23 percent from 2016 to 2026, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That’s much faster than the average for all occupations!
If you’re interested in a career as a medical assistant, you’ll need to complete an accredited training program. Many community colleges offer these programs, which typically last one year or less and lead to a certificate or diploma. Some schools also offer two-year associate degree programs in medical assisting. Once you’ve completed your training, you’ll need to pass a certified medical assistant exam offered by an organization like the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
With the right training and certification, you’ll be ready to start your rewarding career as a medical assistant!
The benefits of being a medical assistant
Medical assistants perform a variety of administrative and clinical tasks to support the work of physicians and other health professionals. They are usually the first point of contact with patients and play an important role in creating a positive experience for them.
Being a medical assistant has many benefits. It is a stable and growing profession, with Employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 19 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. The median annual wage for medical assistants was $34,800 in May 2019, which is higher than the median annual wage for all occupations of $39,810.
Medical assistants also receive on-the-job training that can last between several weeks to several months. This training will give you the skills you need to be successful in your career.
The salary of a medical assistant
The average salary for a medical assistant is $32,480 per year.Salaries typically start from $23,380 and go up to $43,610.
The job outlook for medical assistants
The job outlook for medical assistants is very positive. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of medical assistants will grow much faster than the average for all occupations between 2018 and 2028, with a projected growth rate of 29 percent. This is due in large part to an aging population and the growing demand for health services. And, as the number of medical assistant jobs increase, so does the need for qualified candidates.
How to become a medical assistant
A medical assistant is a healthcare professional that provides basic patient care and performs administrative duties in a medical office or clinic. The job requires a variety of skills, including customer service, recordkeeping, and basic medical procedures.
Medical assistants usually have at least a high school diploma, although some jobs may require postsecondary education or certification. Many community colleges offer programs that lead to a certificate or associate degree in medical assisting. These programs typically last one to two years and include both classroom instruction and clinical experience.
Once you have completed your education, you will need to pass an exam to earn your certification. After you are certified, you will need to renew your certification every few years by completing continuing education courses.
If you are interested in becoming a medical assistant, there are a few things you can do to get started. First, shadow or observe a medical assistant in their workplace to get an idea of what the job entails. You can also look for entry-level jobs in doctor’s offices or clinics to get some experience. Finally, consider taking some courses or earning a certification to make yourself more marketable to employers.