Interested in starting a career as a medical assistant? Medical assistants are health professionals working in both clinical and medical environments. They are key players, helping patients feel comfortable during their doctor’s appointment as well as explaining and clarifying doctors’ recommendations and instructions.
Medical assistants are the bridge between every patient and the healthcare professional. Their duties are both clinical as well as administrative. They ensure a smooth welcoming and nurturing environment for the patient.
With the rise of the number of elderly requiring continuous medical attention, the advancement of technology as well as the continuous increase in the number of physician’s offices and healthcare centers, being a medical assistant is becoming a high-demand job.
While the education path is focused on medical assisting, medical assistants can be cross-trained, and their duties might differ according to several factors such as:
The administrative work includes answering phone calls and scheduling appointments, cordially welcoming the patient and their family when they arrive, filling and keeping record/updating the patients forms and medical records, and helping the patient by filling out insurance forms. Also, a medical assistant will be filling out official forms by using medical coding as well as handling all possible correspondence, bills and bookkeeping. If the patient needs to undergo some laboratory tests, or is getting admitted in a hospital, it is the job of the medical assistant to prepare the necessary forms and paperwork. Finally, if the facility or the physician is using a certain computer application, it is the job of the medical assistant to handle data entry, and digital record management.
The clinical work is very important, and they can be very essential for the proper care of the patient. A medical assistant may be in charge of the following:
A medical assistant is the organizing heart of every office. They ensure the smooth process between healthcare workers and the patient. To be on top of their duties, they should keep in mind that organization is key. Also, they should always anticipate what is needed. A medical assistant that escorts a patient to the examination room should always be observant and ask the proper questions to know what situation the patient is in. Things the medical assistant should look for are:
The secret to succeeding a medical assistant is to simply be proactive, they should not wait to be asked to perform tasks. Remember, the healthcare provider relies on the medical assistant. Finally, take notes for everything: the patient’s answers and all observations. Keep handwriting concise, clear and organized. Steer clear of spelling mistakes and use cheat sheets if needed. Come to work alert; have a goodnight’s sleep and show up with a fully energetic and functional mind and body.
The student does not need a formal education to enroll in the medical assistant program. Having a postsecondary education can be a plus when looking for a job after graduation. A vocational school like Daymar College will provide a student with the proper education to start a successful career in the medical assisting field.
As a graduate of a medical assistant program, the graduate will start searching for a job. Keep in mind that recruiting companies are most likely looking for the following skills:
Once the medical assistant has finished their education and has some experience behind them, there will be many opportunities available. While most individuals will look for jobs in physician’s offices or clinics; others might be interested in a different setting. The medical assistant could work in a hospital or long-term care facility. The medical assistant can also find a position in an outpatient care facility that offers medical services and procedures without having patients stay overnight. Another opportunity would be to work in a college or university that has its own clinic or hospital. The medical assistant could also work in a nursing home, an insurance company handling administrative duties, or even a medical research center.
There are many benefits that a medical assistant enjoys including a quick road to graduation, working in a team, growing into a career, satisfaction comforting patients, and working in a specialized role.
Ready to start your new and exciting career as a medical assistant? The Medical Assisting program at Daymar College is designed to prepare current and future employees for the fast-paced changes encountered in the health care industry, and to help develop training, skills and attitudes necessary to excel in medical assisting. This medical assisting program is appropriate for entry-level positions in doctor’s offices, hospitals, home health agencies, and other allied health organizations.