Career Profile: A Medical Assistant

See Available Medical Assistant Schools

Also Called: A Medical Assistant Specialist, A Patient Care Technician

Job Description:

Do you like to work in a comfortable clinical setting? Are you good with administrative duties? Can you work under pressure? If your answer is YES, then you must consider pursuing a career as a medical assistant.

A medical assistant is a skilled healthcare professional that aids physician in their day-to-day tasks. The main responsibility of a medical assistant is to maintain smooth operation inside the physician's office. Additionally, medical assistants are hired to increase the efficiency of the services provided to visiting patients. However, job description of a medical assistant varies greatly depending on the size of the clinic and the tasks needed to be done on a daily basis.

As a medical assistant, you should expect to assume the following duties:

• File, maintain, and keep patients' records
• Welcome and greet patients
• Gather vital medical information from new patients
• Check patient's height, weight, temperature and blood pressure
• Assist physician in minor procedures
• Prepare and sterilize medical instruments
• Request laboratory test and claim results
• Monitor medical supplies and coordinate with suppliers
• Schedule and confirm patients' appointments
• Arrange admission requests

These are just some of the common routine tasks that shouldered by a medical assistant.

Work Environment:

A medical assistant is typically exposed to a challenging and busy clinical environment. Medical assistant who are working full-time spend 40 hours a week tending to a variety of duties. They work in a well-lit, clean, and comfortable clinical setting.

Education and Training Requirements:

Even though some employers are not too keen about educational background, many still prefer those who have acquired formal training and education from credible medical assistant schools. Medical assisting courses are available in a number of community colleges and technical schools. Aspiring medical assistants can choose to enroll in a one-year program which will earn them a diploma or certificate, or a 2-year program which will result to an Associate degree.

A medical assistant must learn about clinical procedures, laboratory techniques, and first aid. Additionally, a medical assistant should also have knowledge on insurance processing and accounting. Gaining experience from apprenticeship and internship programs are also highly encouraged.

Salary Range:

The salary of a medical assistant is directly influenced by the following factors:

• practice setting
• employer
• experience
• geographic location
• educational background

Of course, medical assistants who have satisfied higher degrees receive more lucrative salaries than those who have minimal or no training at all. Average annual earnings of a medical assistant is expected to fall anywhere from $26, 129 - $30,980. Top earners, on the other hand, can earn more than $33,335 annually.

Job Outlook:

It is highly anticipated that the demand for a medical assistant career will grow faster than other healthcare professions. This is mainly because of the rising number of the aging population as well as the emergence of more private clinics and physician offices.

So, stop having second thoughts and begin your training TODAY by sifting through our extensive list of medical assistant schools!

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