Medical
Assisting Careers
Medical Assistants
are skilled health professionals working principally in medical offices
and clinics. Their tasks are varied and based on whether they work
in large group practices, small private offices, clinics or hospitals.
Medical Assistants work under the direction
of physicians in their offices or other medical places. They execute
administrative and clinical duties to help the health care office
run efficiently. The task of a medical assistant
includes, answering telephones, receiving and greeting patients, filling
out insurance forms, scheduling appointments. They also assist in
the preparation and maintenance of medical records.
The clinical duties
of a medical assistant include documenting patient histories, preparing
patients for check-ups, collecting specimens and preparing and giving
medicines as directed by the physician. Medical assistants
are mostly employed by, practicing physicians, community-based health
care programs and regional health corporations. Certified Medical
Assistant, Registered Medical Assistant
and
National Certified Medical Assistant certificates
are some of the accredited credentials awarded to qualified individuals
who have passed the specified exams. Medical assistants complete 1or
2-year programs in technical high schools, postsecondary vocational
schools and junior colleges. A few are also trained on the job. Employment
prospects are best for medical assistants with recognized training
and experience, especially those with certification. Medical
assistants usually work in clean surroundings. They
continuously work together with other people and have multi tasks
to perform at most times. A full-time medical assistant works a 40-hour
week normally. Some also work part time, in the evenings or only at
weekends.
Employers have
become conscious of the medical assistants
as important health care professionals. They appreciate and identify
the skills and profit the medical assistant brings to the medical
office. The ever growing and aging population enhances the need
for qualified medical assistants to handle
both, the clinical and administrative aspects in a medical office.(Author)
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Source)