Medical Assistants
Additional Information
Duties
The following are typical responsibilities of a medical assistant:
- Keep a record of each patient's medical history as well as their personal details.
- Take blood pressure and other vital indicators.
- Aid physicians during assessments of patients
- As prescribed by doctors and authorized by state legislation, provide injections or drugs to patients.
- Appointments should be made for patients.
- For laboratory testing, collect blood samples.
- Enter the patient's data into the computerized health records system.
Medical assistants are responsible for collecting and documenting patients' personal data. The patient's medical information should be kept strictly secret by them and shared exclusively with the other medical professionals involved in their care.
As electronic health records (EHRs) become more common, certain medical assistant professions are being restructured. Increasing numbers of doctors are embracing electronic health records (EHRs) and transferring all of their patient information to electronic records. The EHR software that is used in the office must be learned by assistants.
Physician assistants, on the other hand, do patient examinations, diagnoses, and treatments under the direction of a physician.
Medical assistants might specialize in either administrative or clinical work in bigger offices or hospitals.
Administrative medical assistants are responsible for filling out insurance papers and coding patients' medical records. They frequently take phone calls and set up appointments for patients.
Depending on the state in which they work, clinical medical assistants have varying responsibilities. Laboratory testing, waste disposal, and sterilization of medical tools are among the tasks they may do. Additionally, they may be responsible for educating patients about medicine or special diets, preparing patients for x-rays, collecting blood, or changing bandages.
Some medical assistants specialize based on the sort of medical office in which they are employed. Medical assistants with specific training include:
Eye treatment is provided by ophthalmic and optometric medical assistants and assistants. It is their job to teach patients how to insert, remove, and care for their contact lenses. Additionally, ophthalmic medical assistants may assist an ophthalmologist during surgery.
They support podiatrists on a daily basis (foot doctors). They can assist podiatrists in surgery, expose and develop x-rays, and create foot casts.
Education
For the most part, postsecondary education is required to become a medical assistant. Employers may prefer to recruit medical assistants who have completed these programs, despite the fact that there are no official educational requirements in most states.
Many community colleges, vocational schools and technical schools provide medical assistance training programs that can be completed in one year. A certificate or diploma is typically awarded upon completion of one of these courses. Some community colleges offer two-year associate degree programs. Students will learn about anatomy and medical terminology as part of their coursework in both the classroom and the lab.
It is not uncommon for medical assistants to have a high school diploma or equivalent and to learn their skills on the job. Aspiring medical assistants in high school may consider taking biology, chemistry, and anatomy classes as well as business and computer courses.
Qualities that are critical to success
A strong ability to think through problems. Medical assistants need to be able to read and understand medical charts and diagnoses in order to do their duties. Coding a patient's medical records may be required for billing purposes.
Dedicated to the finer points of a project. It is imperative that medical assistants take vital signs and document patient data precisely. Accurate records are critical to the success of both doctors and insurance companies.
The ability to communicate effectively with others. Patients' medical information must be shared amongst medical staff, such as physicians, and medical assistants are expected to be able to do this. They must be able to maintain a professional demeanor when dealing with patients who may be in pain or discomfort.
Technical knowledge. Vital signs, such as heart rate and blood pressure, should be taken by medical assistants with the aid of basic clinical instruments.
Training
Without formal college education, most medical assistants develop their abilities on the job. An experienced physician or other medical assistant can instruct a new physician's assistant in the proper use of medical terminology and instruments as well as the proper way to communicate with patients. Patients' personal information is entered into electronic health records (EHRs) as well as paper ones. It is possible that an assistant will need to go through several months of training.
Registration, Certification, and Licenses.
In most states, medical assistants do not need to be certified. In some cases, businesses may prefer to hire certified employees.
A wide range of certifications are available from a variety of organizations. The only way to become certified is to take a test and then follow one of several different paths. These options include completing a recognized curriculum and working in the field, as well as other options. At least 18 years old is generally required for certification in most circumstances.
The Institute for Credentialing Excellence's National Commission for Certifying Agencies recognizes the following medical assistant credentials:
Certification as a medical assistant by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
Certification as an RMA by the American Medical Technologists Association (AMT)
The National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) certifies medical assistants as NCMAs.
CCMA certification from the National Health career Association (NHA)
Accredited by the National Health career Association (NHA) as a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant.
To practice as an aid in some states, a candidate must have graduated from a recognized institution or passed an examination. Find out more by contacting your local medical board.
Pay
In May 2020, medical assistants earned an average annual salary of $35,850. If half of the people in a profession make more than the median wage, and half earn less, we say that the median wage is too high or too low. Between the bottom 10% and the top 10% of earners, there was a wide disparity in income.
Job Projections
From 2020 to 2030, medical assistants' employment is expected to expand at a substantially greater rate than the average for all occupations.
