Medical Assistant & Medical Back Office Jobs
Medical assistants perform administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of:
- physicians
- podiatrists
- chiropractors
- other health practitioners
running smoothly. The duties of medical assistants vary from office to office, depending on the location and size of the practice and the practitioner's specialty. In small practices, medical assistants usually do many different kinds of tasks, handling both administrative and clinical duties and reporting directly to an office manager, physician, or other health practitioner. Those in large practices tend to specialize in a particular area, under the supervision of department administrators. Medical assistants should not be confused with physician assistants, who examine, diagnose, and treat patients under the direct supervision of a physician.
Medical assistants have various duties, depending on State law. Some common tasks include:
- taking medical histories
- recording vital signs
- explaining treatment procedures to patients
- preparing patients for examinations
- assisting physicians during examinations.
Medical assistants also collect and prepare laboratory specimens and sometimes perform basic laboratory tests, dispose of contaminated supplies, and sterilize medical instruments. As directed by a physician, they might instruct patients about medications and special diets, prepare and administer medications, draw blood, take electrocardiograms, remove sutures, and change dressings. Medical assistants also may arrange examining room instruments and equipment, purchase and maintain supplies and equipment, and keep waiting and examining rooms neat and clean.
Medical assistants work in well-lighted, clean environments. They constantly interact with other people and may have to handle several responsibilities at once. Most full-time medical assistants work a regular 40-hour week. However, medical assistants may work part time, evenings, or weekends.
Medical assisting programs are offered by Modern Technology School, in postsecondary vocational schools, community and junior colleges. Postsecondary programs usually last less than a year and result in a certificate or diploma. An associate’s degree can be achieved at the college level. Courses cover anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology, as well as recordkeeping. Students learn laboratory techniques, clinical and diagnostic procedures, pharmaceutical principles, the administration of medications, and first aid. They study office practices, patient relations, medical law, and ethics.
Medical assistants deal with the public; therefore, they must be neat and well groomed and have a courteous, pleasant manner and they must be able to put patients at ease and explain physicians' instructions. They must respect the confidential nature of medical information. Clinical duties require a reasonable level of manual dexterity and visual acuity.
Although not required, certification indicates that a medical assistant meets certain standards of knowledge. It may also help to distinguish an experienced or formally trained assistant from an entry-level assistant, which may lead to a higher salary or more employment opportunities. There are various associations that award certification credentials to medical assistants. The certification process varies by association.
Medical assistants may also advance to other occupations through experience or additional training. For example, some may go on to teach medical assisting, and others pursue additional education to become nurses, x-ray technician or other healthcare workers. Medical assistants may advance to office managers, or qualify for a variety of administrative support occupations.
Sign up for our Medical Assistant / Medical Back Office programs today or call us for additional information: (714) 418-9100 |
