MEDICAL ASSISTANT CAREER

MEDICAL ASSISTANT and MEDICAL ASSISTING

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Medical Assistant is another rising career. Since it is becoming in demand, a lot of questions and queries are piling up. Engaging oneself in a medical field could be really rewarding but entails hard work at the same time. Gathering research before stepping up in any career is vital, so let us explore pre-requisites of becoming a medical assistant.

 

What exactly is a Medical Assistant?

People can get very confused on what is the exact role of a medical assistant. Technically a medical assistant are those people who give support to physicians. Generally speaking a Medical Assistant helps to perform task alongside with doctors, chiropractors and other health practitioners.

Being a medical assistant requires wide knowledge in the medical field. This career is very exciting and could be very challenging in a way. Some people does have a real knack on medical related courses, however, things could be a lot complicated in reality than in theories.

There are two major fields that a Medical Assistant usually works around, first is the Administrative area the second is the Clinical area. A medical assistant must be aware of the tasks on BOTH areas for the need may come in a flash.

I have listed below, some of the general responsibilities and possible tasks, a Medical assistant usually does.

Administrative Medical Assistant – Responsibilities and Task

  • Answering the Telephone
  • Hospital Admissions
  • Laboratory Services
  • Welcoming Patients
  • Appointment Scheduling
  • Filling out of Insurance Forms
  • Billing
  • Some Bookkeeping

Clinical Medical Assistant – Responsibilities and Tasks:

  • Checking the patients vital signs
  • Managing medications
  • Managing injections
  • Recording of vital information
  • Preparation of medical instruments
  • Handling of medical instruments
  • Prepping specimens
  • Prepping Examination Rooms
  • Specimen Collection

*Complicated medical tasks are also given to Medical Assistants depending on what state they are practicing.

A lot of people often thinks that a medical assistant is the same as physician assistant. There’s a big difference between those two, so, let us put it this way, a medical assistant deals with basic medical tasks whereas physician assistant performs a more complex medical tasks.

 

What are the basic Qualifications?

In this line of career you can expect a high volume of patient Interaction. A high level of patience and pleasantness is considered a plus attitude in this career. The candidate must be very reliable in explaining the doctor’s instructions to its patients. Also, an active person is very qualified on this career for this job requires high mobilization and readiness. Disclosure and confidentiality of patient medical cases is a very important aspect in this line of work.

It is common for a full time Medical Assistant to work for at least 40 hours a week. It is also an option to work on a part-time schedule either during night shifts or weekends.

 

Medical Assistant: A brief history

During the old days, anyone who serves and trains in a medical facility is considered a medical assistant. They are also not recognized in groups and they have no known association.

In 1956 a change was implemented in the U.S. when the so called AAMA (American Association of Medical Assistant) was formed.

In the present day, Medical assistant career is overly in demand. In fact, Hospitals, out-patient and in-patients facilities are relying on medical assistant’s abilities to perform medical duties.

It is also projected that medical assistant career will continue to flourish until the year 2018.

 

Do I need a Training to become a Medical Assistant?

The answer is YES, any individual who is interested in pursuing this career should undergo a formal training. Undergoing a training will ensure the quality of performance a proponent would offer in the future. This would also familiarize them to the repetitive routine and task to be performed and most especially the training would improve their capability to work on the medical environment.

Listed below are some institutions that usually offers formal education (postsecondary)

  1. Technical Schools
  2. Vocational Schools
  3. Community Colleges
  4. Junior Colleges
  5. and Online Based Programs

Note: If you are living in U.S. and taking up medical assistant program, make sure that your chosen school is accredited by CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs)

The schools usually cover the following subjects:

  1. Anatomy
  2. Physiology
  3. Medical Terminology
  4. Transcription
  5. Pharmaceutical principles
  6. Keyboarding
  7. Record Keeping
  8. Accounting
  9. Laboratory Techniques
  10. First Aid
  11. Administration of Medication

This educational program usually takes a year and can earn you a certificate or diploma. You could also aim for an Associate degree which will only take 2 years.

 

Is it really Necessary to get a Certification?

Actually NO, but having been certified could mean a lot! Holding a certificate could indicate your dedication and job worthy capability. The certification also helps the Medical Assistant to be acknowledged as a person who met a specific standard. Holding a certificate could also lead to easy employment and higher starting salary.
There’s a lot of Association that certifies a Medical Assistant, here’s the 2 of them:

  1. AAMA or American Association for Medical Assistants and
  2. AMT or Association of Medical Technologist.

As a Medical Assistant you have an option to advance or pursue higher level of education or specialties. Some of the former Medical Assistants took a step up on being a Nurse, Caregivers, or other health care related careers.

Note: It is highly recommended to conduct a further inquiry when planning to advance your career. Pursuing a higher education could cost you, so it best to check out some ways to cut down educational fees.

Job Availability Range

The scope of medical assistant is very promising. There is a unbelievable growth of 34 percent than the other jobs out there. Medical Assistant is considered highly in demand job for this year up to the next decade. The job Opportunities are considered large and going larger. The growing old age population draws the high demand for health care workers. May it be in hospitals, out-patient clinics, ambulatories, Homecare facilities, even on small private clinics, a Medical Assistant will surely be needed.

Career Choosing Guide

Most of our career decisions are based on our basic knowledge on the field and the possible ROI a.k.a salary. However there are circumstances like family influence, friend’s advice and Tuition fee related issues.

Keep in mind that the most rewarding experience in any career is the ability to share your talent and expertise to those people who mostly need it.

 

Happy Career Hunting.