Introduction: Is Medical Assisting For You?
Are you looking for a meaningful job?
Do you like helping others?
Do you have an interest in health and medicine?
Are you a "people person"?
Are you good at multitasking—switching tasks throughout the workday?
Do you like variety in your job?
Would you like to enter a career in an expanding field?
If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then medical assisting could be the right career choice for you. Medical assistants enjoy an exciting career, working alongside physicians in medical offices and clinics, to help ensure the best possible care for patients.
Medical assistants are in demand!
Medical assisting is one of the nation's fastest growing careers, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. This can be attributed to a predicted surge in the number of physicians' offices and out-patient care facilities. Technological advancements and the growing number of elderly Americans who need medical treatment are also factors for the increased demand for medical assistants.
So... what do medical assistants actually do?
Medical assistants have a great amount of variety in their jobs and are cross-trained to perform many administrative and clinical duties. Below is a quick overview of the types of tasks a medical assistant does during a typical workday. (Duties vary from office to office depending on location, size, and specialty.)
Administrative duties may include...
• Using computer applications
• Answering telephones
• Greeting patients
• Updating and filing patient medical records
• Coding and filling out insurance forms
• Scheduling appointments
• Arranging for hospital admissions and laboratory services
• Handling correspondence, billing, and bookkeeping
Clinical duties vary according to state law and include...
• Taking medical histories
• Explaining treatment procedures to patients
• Preparing patients for examination
• Assisting the physician during the exam
• Collecting and preparing laboratory specimens
• Performing basic laboratory tests
• Instructing patients about medication and special diets
• Preparing and administering medications as directed by a physician
• Authorizing prescription refills as directed
• Drawing blood
• Taking electrocardiograms
• Removing sutures and changing dressings
Medical assistants give health care a human touch
Medical assistants are instrumental in helping patients feel at ease in the doctor's office and often explain the physician's instructions. If you have good communication skills and are often appreciated for your caring manner, then you might be well suited for a career in medical assisting.
Occupational Description
Medical assisting is a multi-skilled allied health profession; practitioners work primarily in ambulatory settings such as medical offices and clinics. Medical assistants function as members of the health care delivery team and perform administrative and clinical procedures.
