If you desire to help people as a career, becoming a Medical Assistant could be the path for you. A medical assistant assists the physician by overtaking the administrative and clinical tasks to keep their routine running smoothly. The role of a medical assistant ranges from administrative duties to clinical duties.
What are the roles of a medical assistant?
The roles may vary from office to office where the medical assistants work. The management scenario may be different, but here we will make you aware of a few administrative and clinical duties that a medical assistant is most often expected to carry out during his or her duty hours.
General duties
Answer telephone calls
Update and file patient records
Fill out an insurance form
Schedule appointments
Arrange for hospital admission and laboratory services
Handle billing and bookkeeping
These are a few general duties that medical assistants have to perform when they work at a hospital or a clinic.
Clinical duties
According to the American Association of Medical Assistants, the clinical roles may differ from state to state according to its laws. Generally, these are a few clinical roles that a medical assistant expects to perform.
Knowing the medical histories of a patient
Recording disease signs
Demonstrating the treatment procedures to the patient
Assisting the physician during the examination
Collect and prepare laboratory specimens
Perform necessary laboratory tests on those specimen
Disposal of the contaminated supplies
Sterilization of the medical instruments
Instructing the patient based on the physician's prescription
Preparing patients for X-rays
Removing sutures and change the dressing
These are a few clinical roles that different employers expect from an experienced candidate in the field of medical assistance.
Education
The level of completed schoolwork varies by state to work as a Medical Assistant. For example, if you are looking for a Medical Assistant school in Florida, you can work as a Medical Assistant with a diploma or a degree. A high school diploma or equivalent is required to begin working on the Medical Assistant program you choose. Based on the technological shift in the medical field, employers prefer candidates with higher credentials. It has become essential for every MA to be certified by some accredited institute. City College has several locations in Florida that offer either a Diploma or an Associate's Degree. Altamonte Springs, Gainesville, Hollywood, and Fort Lauderdale are cities in Florida where you can enroll to earn an Associate of Science Degree. Entering the job market with an Associate Degree could make the difference when chasing your dream job!
From administrative responsibilities to clinical duties, you will be introduced to various tasks you will encounter during your career as a Medical Assistant while you earn your degree. Course study will include:
Anatomy and physiology
Clinical Lab procedures
CPR and Medical Emergencies
Exam Room procedures
Medical Terminology
Pharmacology
Phlebotomy
Career Opportunities
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 23% increase in the job opportunities for MAs through 2028, which is much faster than many other career growths in the USA. There are several places of employment available for Medical Assistants:
Ambulatory health care centers
Hospitals
Office Laboratories
Physicians' office
Private health practices
Emergency Rooms
Conclusion
By committing to help others as the main component of your career, becoming a Medical Assistant is a fantastic choice! In short, we hope this article will help you decide if this is the path you take - best of luck with your endeavors.
