| A medical assistant is a health care worker that | | | | institution and program focus. At the very least, |
| performs office and/or medical duties in a licensed | | | | classes may need to be taken in Anatomy, |
| practitioner's office, clinic or hospital. | | | | Medical Terminology and Insurance Coding. Nearly |
| Job Appeal | | | | all programs require an externship at a medical |
| There are different reasons people choose to | | | | facility. An externship is when a student performs |
| enter this occupation. Many workers enjoy this | | | | duties learned in class in a real environment. |
| position because they want to help others in this | | | | Promotion Possibilities |
| stable career choice. Others enjoy short training | | | | Advancement is available with additional training |
| programs to prepare for a new career. | | | | and/or work experience. Related training |
| Job Functions | | | | programs are nursing, pharmacy technicians and |
| Administrative tasks are usually office-type work | | | | medical secretaries. Experienced assistants can |
| that can include: registering patients, updating | | | | advance to administrative type positions such as |
| medical profiles, managing insurance forms and | | | | office managers. |
| much more. Clinical responsibilities are directly | | | | Certification |
| related to health exploration or treatment. Tasks | | | | The two major accreditation organizations are the |
| in the medical section include: recording patient | | | | American Association of Medical Assistants |
| vitals, explaining treatment procedures and | | | | (AAMA) and the Association of Medical |
| performing basic laboratory tests. | | | | Technologists (AMT). Both credentials legitimize |
| Skills Needed | | | | career skills, increase job stability and |
| Persons interested in this career field should enjoy | | | | advancement opportunities. |
| helping others and working with the public. They | | | | Certification is not required to practice in this |
| need to be able to multi-task and communicate | | | | profession, but may lead to a higher salary. |
| health information in a simplistic way. Those having | | | | Salary |
| procedural knowledge aptitudes and an interest in | | | | Compensation can vary due to a combination of |
| medicine will increase probability of doing well in | | | | many factors like: years of experience, education, |
| this profession. | | | | job functions and location. New graduates |
| Education | | | | generally start with salaries in the mid-twenties |
| Preparation to enter this career is in the form of | | | | and experienced workers can expect earnings in |
| one or two year programs that result in a | | | | the lower-thirties. |
| certificate or associates degree. Training for this | | | | Job Prospects |
| field is usually offered in vocational schools and | | | | Medical assistants are in high demand due to an |
| community colleges. A recent trend is for | | | | increase in older populations and prevalence of |
| accredited online colleges to offer programs for | | | | long-term health conditions such as: obesity, |
| this career. | | | | diabetes and asthma. |
| Required courses in this field can vary with the | | | | |