Pocket Guide to Accompany Medical Assisting

This pocket guide is designed as a quick reference for medical assisting students and professionals.

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Introduction to the Pocket Guide to Accompany Medical Assisting

The Pocket Guide to Accompany Medical Assisting is a quick reference tool for Medical assistants The guide includes information on anatomy and physiology, Medical Terminology infection control, and more. This pocket guide is an essential resource for anyone training to become a medical assistant or working in the field.

The Role of the Medical Assistant

Medical assistants are vital members of the healthcare team. They perform many tasks to keep the office running smoothly, and they also play an important role in patient care. Medical assistants generally fall into one of two categories: clinical or administrative.

Clinical medical assistants work directly with patients. They may take medical histories, prepare patients for examination, assist the physician during the exam, give injections, perform laboratory tests, take electrocardiograms, remove sutures, apply dressings and instruct patients about follow-up care.

Administrative medical assistants handle office duties such as answering telephones, scheduling appointments, taking and transcribing messages, handling correspondence and filing. Like clinical medical assistants, they may also be responsible for keeping patient records up to date and arranging for hospital admissions and laboratory services.

Most medical assistants have basic training in computer applications, medical billing and coding, and insurance processing. With additional training or experience, some medical assistants may specialize in areas such as optometry, podiatry or ophthalmology.

The Medical Assistant’s Duties

Medical assistants are unlicensed personnel trained to perform routine administrative and clinical tasks under the supervision of licensed health care providers, such as licensed practical nurses (LPNs), registered nurses (RNs), and physicians.

The medical assistant’s duties vary depending on state law, but usually include taking medical histories and recording vital signs, assisting with examination and treatment procedures, performing routine laboratory tests, scheduling appointments, handling correspondence, billing patients, and teaching patients about medical conditions and their treatment.

In some states, medical assistants may also be allowed to give medications injections under the direct supervision of a licensed health care provider. However, in all states, giving medications by injection is prohibited unless the medical assistant has completed a Board-approved training program in this area.

State laws also differ on whether medical assistants can perform diagnostic procedures, such as electrocardiograms (EKGs) or skin punctures for blood tests. In general, however, these types of procedures can only be performed under the direct supervision of a licensed health care provider.

The Medical Assistant’s Education

The medical assistant’s educational requirements vary by state, but most require at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Many programs also require certification, which can be obtained through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). The AAMA offers a variety of medical assisting programs that are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

The Medical Assistant’s Certification

The certification that is most recognized by employers and medical assisting organizations is the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential, which is granted by the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). The AAMA offers certification to graduates of medical assisting programs that have been accredited by either the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). Candidates for certification must also pass a credentialing Exam.

The Medical Assistant’s Salary

The medical assistant’s salary is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a career. Here’s a look at what you can expect to earn in this role.

As a medical assistant, you can expect to earn a median salary of $33,610 per year, or $16.17 per hour. Salaries typically start from $28,860 and go up to $39,560. Experience, education, and certifications can lead to higher salaries.

The Medical Assistant’s Job Outlook

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that employment of medical assistants will grow by 29% from 2019-2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. An aging population and increasing demand for healthcare services will spur the need for additional medical assistants. The BLS notes that those who have taken courses in computer usage and Medical coding may have better job prospects.

The Medical Assistant’s Career Path

The medical assistant’s career path is full of opportunities for those with the right training and skills. Medical assistants can find work in a variety of healthcare settings, such as hospitals, clinics, physician’s offices, and other healthcare facilities. With the right training, medical assistants can move up the career ladder into positions such as office manager, medical biller or even nurse.

The Medical Assistant’s Job Satisfaction

The Medical Assistant’s Job Satisfaction is a very important factor to consider when choosing a career. Here are some things to keep in mind when considering this factor:

-The hours can be long and irregular, especially if you work in a hospital setting.
-The work can be extremely demanding and stressful, both physically and mentally.
-There is often a lot of paperwork and administrative duties involved.
-You will be working closely with patients who may be sick, injured, or dying.

The Medical Assistant’s Future

Medical assisting is a profession that is in high demand and is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The growth of the aging baby-boom population will continue to spur demand for preventive medical services, which are often provided by medical assistants. As a result, employment of medical assistants is expected to grow by 23 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations.

In addition, as physicians increasingly adopt electronic health records (EHRs), they will need people like medical assistants, who are trained in both clerical and clinical tasks, to help them maintain patient data. As a result, demand for medical assistants is expected to grow in both physician offices and other healthcare settings.