Today’s Medical Assistant Study Guide Answers
Contents
- The Role of the medical assistant
- Medical Assistant Duties
- Medical Assistant Education
- Medical Assistant Certification
- Medical Assistant Salary
- The Future of the Medical Assistant Profession
- 10 Reasons to Become a Medical Assistant
- 5 Reasons to NOT Become a Medical Assistant
- So You Want to Be a Medical Assistant?
- 5 Myths About Being a Medical Assistant
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The Role of the medical assistant
The medical assistant is a multi-skilled professional who supports the day-to-day operations of a medical facility. The medical assistant is responsible for communicating with patients, scheduling appointments, taking and recording medical histories and vital signs, preparing patients for examination, assisting the physician during the exam, and performing a variety of lab tests and diagnostic procedures.
The medical assistant is also responsible for maintaining patient records, handling billing and insurance paperwork, ordering supplies, and performing administrative duties. The medical assistant must be able to work independently and as part of a team. He or she must have excellent communication skills, be detail oriented, and have the ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
Medical Assistant Duties
Medical assistants are multi-skilled health professionals specifically trained to work in outpatient settings such as medical offices and clinics. Their responsibilities vary greatly, from administering medications to performing minor office surgeries, making them a vital part of the healthcare team. Most Medical Assistants have completed a postsecondary education program, though some states allow them to work with on-the-job training.
The duties of a medical assistant may include but are not limited to:
-Answering patient phone calls and scheduling appointments
-Updating and filing patients’ medical records
-Taking and recording patients’ vital signs
-Preparing exam rooms and instruments
-Assisting the physician with patient examinations
-Collecting and processing laboratory specimens
-Instructing patients on medication schedules and proper wound care
Medical Assistant Education
How can I major in medical assisting?
Medical assistants can earn their certificate or diploma in as little as nine months, although many programs take up to two years to complete. Some community colleges, technical institutes, and career colleges offer programs in medical assisting. A few four-year colleges also have programs.
Medical Assistant Certification
Medical assistants are unlicensed healthcare professionals who perform both clinical and administrative tasks in hospitals, physician’s offices and other outpatient facilities. Many states have certification programs for medical assistants, although certification is not required for practice in all states.
The National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) offers the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential. To be eligible for the credential, candidates must have completed an accredited medical assistant program and passed the CMA Exam. The CMA Exam is a computer-based exam that consists of 200 multiple-choice questions. It tests knowledge in five content areas: general medical knowledge; administrative/clinical procedures; medical law and ethics; human relations/interpersonal skills; and communication.
In addition to the CMA credential, the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) offers the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) credential. The RMA credential is available to candidates who have graduated from an accredited medical assistant program or who have at least five years of work experience as a medical assistant. Candidates must pass a written exam to earn the RMA credential.
Medical Assistant Salary
The median annual wage for medical assistants was $34,800 in May 2017. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $25,280, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $48,720.
The Future of the Medical Assistant Profession
The medical assistant profession is one that is constantly evolving. Medical assistants are playing an increasingly important role in the healthcare industry, and the demand for qualified professionals is expected to continue to grow in the coming years.
As the healthcare industry continues to change and adapt to new technologies and treatments, medical assistants will need to be adaptable and able to keep up with the latest changes. The future of the medical assistant profession looks bright, and those who are considering a career in this field should be excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.
10 Reasons to Become a Medical Assistant
Are you considering a career in the medical field? If so, you may be wondering what type of position would be the best fit for you. Medical assistants are one of the most versatile and in-demand positions in healthcare, and there are many reasons why this career choice may be perfect for you. Here are 10 reasons to become a medical assistant:
1. Medical assistants are in high demand. 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, increasing by 29 percent.
2. Medical assistants have versatile skills. They perform both administrative and clinical duties, so they are essential members of any healthcare team.
3. Medical assistants can work in a variety of settings. From hospitals to clinics to private practices, there are many options for where you can work as a medical assistant.
4. Medical assistants can specialize their skills. If you have an interest in a particular area of healthcare, there are many medical assisting specialty areas you can pursue, such as ophthalmology or podiatry.
5. You can become a medical assistant relatively quickly. Many medical assisting programs can be completed in just one year or less, so you can start your new career sooner than with other healthcare positions.
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5 Reasons to NOT Become a Medical Assistant
There are a number of reasons why someone might decide that a career as a medical assistant is not for them. Here are 5 of the most common:
1. They don’t like the idea of working in a medical setting.
2. They don’t want to deal with blood or other bodily fluids.
3. They don’t want to be around sick people all day.
4. They don’t like the idea of having to study for exams and keep up with continuing education requirements.
5. They are not interested in the administrative aspects of the job, such as insurance billing and coding.
So You Want to Be a Medical Assistant?
So you’ve decided that you want to be a medical assistant? Great choice! A medical assistant career is a stable, secure, and potentially lucrative one. But before you can start your new career, you’ll need to pass your certification exam.
To help you study for the exam, we’ve put together a study guide with today’s most popular medical assistant certification questions and answers. In this guide, we’ll cover everything from basic medical assisting knowledge to more specific topics like coding and billing.
No matter how much experience you have in the field, we think you’ll find this guide helpful in studying for your upcoming exam. So let’s get started!
5 Myths About Being a Medical Assistant
There are a lot of misconceptions about what medical assistants do and what kind of training they need. Here are five of the most common myths:
1. Medical assistants only do clerical work.
While medical assistants do perform administrative tasks, they also have clinical responsibilities. They may take patients’ vital signs, prepare them for examinations, assist with procedures, give injections, and more.
2. You don’t need any formal education to be a medical assistant.
Medical assistants typically need to complete an accredited medical assisting program, which can take anywhere from a few months to two years. Some programs award a certificate or diploma, while others offer an associate degree.
3. All medical assistant programs are the same.
Not all medical assistant programs are created equal. Make sure you choose a program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). These accreditations ensure that your program meets certain educational standards.
4. You only need to be certified if you want to work in a hospital setting.
While some employers may prefer candidates who are certified, it is not always required. Many outpatient facilities, physician offices, and other healthcare organizations will hire medical assistants who are not certified. However, if you do pursue certification, it will make you more marketable and could lead to higher wages. There are several different certifications available for medical assistants, including the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential from the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) and the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) credential from the American Medical Technologists (AMT).
5. Being a medical assistant is a dead-end job with no room for advancement.
While some medical assistants choose to stick with entry-level roles, others use their position as a springboard for furthering their education and career. Many go on to become nurse practitioners, physician assistants, or even doctors! Others use their experience as a medical assistant to move into management or administrative roles within healthcare organizations