NCMA Medical Assistants – Your Trusted Medical Partners
Contents
- What is a medical assistant?
- The roles of a medical assistant
- The benefits of having a medical assistant
- How to become a medical assistant
- The responsibilities of a medical assistant
- The skills of a medical assistant
- The training of a medical assistant
- The salary of a medical assistant
- The job outlook for medical assistants
- FAQs about medical assistants
As a medical assistant, you are a trusted partner in the healthcare team. You play a vital role in providing quality patient care and support.
At NCMA, we are committed to helping you succeed. We offer a wide range of resources, including educational articles, to help you provide the best possible care for your patients.
We hope you find this blog helpful. If you have any questions or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
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What is a medical assistant?
A medical assistant is a person who has completed an accredited educational program and has received certification from a nationally recognized organization such as the National Healthcare Association or American Association of Medical assistants These professionals work under the direct supervision of licensed physicians in outpatient settings, and their duties include patient care, administrative tasks, and clinical procedures.
Medical assistants are a vital part of the healthcare team and play an important role in providing quality patient care. They work closely with patients to collect vital signs, measure height and weight, prepare lab tests and X-rays, administer injections, update medical records schedule appointments, and provide assistance during office visits. In addition to their clinical duties, medical assistants also perform administrative tasks such as answering phones, handling billing and insurance paperwork, greeting patients, and managing office supplies.
Medical assistants are an important part of the healthcare team who provide quality patient care under the supervision of licensed physicians. If you are considering a career in healthcare, becoming a medical assistant is a great way to get started.
The roles of a medical assistant
Medical assistants are vital members of the healthcare team. They are trained to perform many different tasks, including administrative, clinical, and laboratory duties.
Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, verifying insurance coverage, and handling billing and coding. Clinical duties may involve taking medical histories and recording vital signs, as well as preparing patients for examinations. Laboratory duties may include collecting and processing specimens, as well as performing basic lab tests.
Medical assistants must be able to work efficiently and effectively in a fast-paced environment. They must be able to multitask and have excellent communication, customer service, and organizational skills.
If you are considering a career in healthcare, then a career as a medical assistant may be the perfect fit for you!
The benefits of having a medical assistant
Medical assistants play a vital role in our healthcare system, providing much-needed support to doctors and other members of the medical team. In recent years, the demand for qualified medical assistants has grown significantly, as more and more people recognize the many benefits of having a medical assistant on staff.
Some of the most important benefits of having a medical assistant include:
Improved patient care – Medical assistants are able to take on a variety of tasks that allow doctors and other clinicians to focus on providing direct patient care. This can result in improved overall patient care and satisfaction levels.
Increased efficiency – Medical assistants help to keep the flow of patients moving through the office by performing a variety of administrative and clinical tasks. This can help to reduce wait times and improve overall office efficiency.
Reduced costs – The increased efficiency that medical assistants bring to the office can help to reduce operating costs, as well as potentially reducing the need for additional staff members.
Improved patient safety – Medical assistants are trained in a variety of safety procedures, which can help to minimize errors and prevent accidents in the office. This can lead to improved patient safety and peace of mind for both patients and their families.
How to become a medical assistant
Medical assistants are in high demand across the country. This is due, in part, to the aging Baby Boomer population and the Affordable Care Act which has increased access to healthcare for millions of Americans. If you’re considering a career in medical assisting, here’s what you need to know.
Most medical assistants have at least a certificate or diploma from an accredited medical assistant program. Some also have an associate degree. While not required, certification may give you an advantage when seeking employment. The National Commission for Certification of Medical Assistants (NCCMA) offers the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential. To qualify for the CMA exam, you must have completed an accredited medical assistant program within the last five years or have at least five years of work experience as a medical assistant.
Once you have your education and/or certification, it’s time to start looking for a job. The best way to find open positions is to search online job boards or contact local healthcare facilities directly. Many hospitals and clinics post their open positions on their websites. You can also check with your state’s department of health for job openings in your area.
When applying for a medical assistant position, be sure to highlight your skills and experience in your cover letter and resume. Most medical assistants have clinical and administrative duties, so be sure to list both types of experience if you have it. Finally, don’t forget to list any relevant certifications or licenses you may hold, such as CPR certification or phlebotomy certification.
The responsibilities of a medical assistant
A medical assistant is a multi-skilled professional who supports the work of physicians and other health professionals, usually in outpatient settings such as medical offices and clinics. Medical assistants perform a variety of administrative and clinical tasks to keep the office running smoothly and efficiently.
While their specific duties may vary somewhat depending on state law and the policies of their particular employers, medical assistants typically have a well-rounded set of skills that they use on a daily basis. These may include administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments, maintaining Medical records and billing insurance companies. They may also perform clinical tasks such as taking patient histories, recording vital signs, preparing patients for examinations, providing instruction on home care after treatment, and assisting with minor office procedures.
Medical assistants play an important role in providing high-quality patient care and supporting the work of physicians and other health professionals. If you are interested in becoming a medical assistant, there are many programs that can help you get the training you need to be successful in this rewarding career.
The skills of a medical assistant
A medical assistant is a trained professional who works under the supervision of a licensed health care provider to support the delivery of patient care. Medical assistants are multi-skilled and can perform both clinical and administrative duties. Most medical assistants have completed a postsecondary education program that can last from several months to more than two years. Some states have certification requirements for medical assistants, while others do not.
Medical assistants typically perform the following duties:
•Clinical duties: taking and recording patient vital signs, documenting patient histories, preparing patients for examination, assisting with routine office procedures
•Administrative duties: scheduling appointments, verifying insurance benefits, handling correspondence, billing and coding
Medical assistants must be able to work well under pressure and maintain a high level of accuracy in their work. They must also be able to effectively communicate with patients, families, and other members of the health care team.
The training of a medical assistant
NCMA medical assistants are among the most trusted medical partners in the healthcare industry. Through our hands-on training program, medical assistants gain the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in a variety of medical settings.
Medical assistants perform a variety of tasks, including taking and recording patient medical histories and vital signs, preparing patients for examination, assisting the physician during examinations, and performing routine laboratory tests. In addition, medical assistants may also be responsible for scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records billing and coding insurance forms, and providing patient education.
The training of a medical assistant typically takes place in an accredited postsecondary institution, such as a community college or vocational-technical school. Most programs take one to two years to complete and result in a certificate or diploma. Some programs may also offer an associate degree in medical assisting.
The salary of a medical assistant
As a medical assistant, you will be an integral part of the health care team. Your job will be to support the work of doctors and nurses by performing administrative and clinical tasks. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for medical assistants was $33,610 in May 2016.
The job outlook for medical assistants
Medical assistants hold an important role in today’s healthcare industry. Often times serving as the patient’s first point of contact with the medical office, these professionals are responsible for a variety of both clinical and administrative tasks. The job outlook for medical assistants is strong, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting a 23% growth in employment opportunities between 2016 and 2026. This means that now is an excellent time to enter the field.
FAQs about medical assistants
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about medical assistants:
What does a medical assistant do?
A medical assistant is a multi-skilled health professional who performs administrative, clinical and laboratory tasks to support the work of physicians and other health care providers.
What is the scope of practice for medical assistants?
The scope of practice for medical assistants varies from state to state. In some states, medical assistants may perform certain tasks that are typically performed by nurses, such as giving injections or taking X-rays. In other states, the scope of practice for medical assistants is more limited.
How do I become a medical assistant?
Most medical assistants have completed a postsecondary educational program that typically lasts one year or less. Some states have certification programs for medical assistants, but certification is not required in all states.
What are the duties of a medical assistant?
Medical assistants typically perform a variety of tasks, including taking and recording vital signs, preparing patients for examination, assisting with office procedures, handling correspondence, scheduling appointments and maintaining medical records.