A medical assistant is a vital constituent of the health care delivery team, and works in the administrative office, the examining room and the physician office laboratory of medical facilities. The medical assistant, also a link between the physician and the patient, and is crucial to the success of the medical practice.
Medical assistants perform administrative tasks and work with patients, helping doctors keep their practices running efficiently. Medical assistants' duties vary from office to office, depending on the size of the medical practice. In smaller practices, they have a wider range of responsibilities, often performing both administrative and clinical tasks. In larger practices, they may specialize in a particular area.
Laws regarding the procedures medical assistants are permitted to perform vary from state to state, but some of the more common clinical tasks they are allowed to do include taking and recording medical histories and vital signs; explaining treatments to patients; preparing patients for examination; and assisting in examinations.
After an examination, medical assistants may collect laboratory specimens and perform basic laboratory tests; dispose of contaminated supplies; and sterilize medical instruments.
Some of the administrative duties medical assistants often have include answering telephones, greeting patients, recording and filing medical records, filling out insurance forms, scheduling appointments, arranging for hospital admission and laboratory tests, and taking care of billing and bookkeeping.
Some medical assistants specialize in a certain branch of medicine such as podiatry or ophthalmology.
Places of Employment and Working Conditions
Medical assistants work in a well-lighted, clean environment. They need to be careful when performing clinical work, such as sterilizing equipment or doing laboratory tests. Although medical assistants generally have a 40-hour workweek, this may include evening and weekend hours
Three out of five medical assistants were employed in physicians' offices, and about 1 in 5 worked in offices of other health practitioners such as optometrists, podiatrists, and chiropractors. Slightly more than 1 in 10 worked in hospitals.
Qualifications, Education, and Training
Medical assistants spend a great deal of time working with people, so they must be neat, pleasant, and courteous. They must be able to listen and follow doctors' instructions closely and also listen to patients' needs.
There are no formal education requirements for medical assistants, and many receive their training on the job. However, formal programs in medical assisting are offered at secondary and postsecondary levels in technical high schools, vocational schools, community and junior colleges, and universities. Most doctors prefer to hire medical assistants with formal training.
Two agencies accredit medical assisting programs: the American Medical Association's Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation (CAHEA) and the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). These programs usually include course work in biological sciences and medical terminology and typing, transcription, recordkeeping, accounting, and insurance processing.
There are no general licensing requirements for medical assistants, but some states require passing a test or completing a course for medical assistants who perform certain procedures such as taking x-rays, drawing blood, or giving injections.
Several associations certify or register medical assistants who meet their requirements. Employers often prefer to hire those who are certified and have experience.
Potential and Advancement
Opportunities will be excellent for those with formal training, experience, or both. Those who are certified and have computer and word processing skills will have even greater advantages when seeking employment.
Medical assistants may advance by becoming office managers. Others become consultants for medical office management or for the medical insurance industry. Some work for hospitals as ward clerks, medical record clerks, phlebotomists, and EKG technicians. Others sometimes get further education and become nurses or work in some field of medical technology.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the demand for medical assistants will grow by 23% between 2014 and 2024, providing strong job and advancement opportunities.Employment growth will be spurred by the increased medical needs of an aging population, growth in the number of health practitioners, more diagnostic testing, and the increased volume and complexity of paperwork. Most job openings, however, will result from the need to replace experienced assistants who leave the occupation.
In view of the high turnover as well as the preference of many physicians for trained personnel, job prospects should be excellent for medical assistants with formal training, experience, or both. Employers prefer applicants with formal certification, and medical assistants with word processing and computer skills may have an advantage over less qualified applicants.
Income
Earnings for medical assistants vary widely depending on the worker's credentials and level of experience, the size and location of the employer, and the number of hours worked. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for medical assistants in 2015 was $30,590.
Related Jobs
Workers in other medical support occupations include medical secretaries, hospital admitting clerks, pharmacy helpers, medical receptionists, medical record clerks, dental assistants, occupational therapy aides, and physical therapist aides.
