Healthcare is one of the fastest growing industries in the United States. It will continue to experience rapid growth as America’s aging population increases in size, creating an even greater demand for healthcare services. This means that now is the perfect time to begin a career as a medical assistant.
There are several types of medical assistants, all of which are vitally important to the healthcare teams they are a part of. They work alongside physicians and other healthcare providers to assist with patient care, handle administrative tasks, and complete clinical procedures. In many clinics and doctors’ offices, the medical assistant is in charge of managing the office, which allows the physician to devote more time to providing top-quality patient care.
Individuals that choose this rewarding career take on a great deal of responsibility. Taking on this level of responsibility brings with it an average salary of about $34,500 each year.
Employers set their own educational requirements for the medical assistants they hire. The standard is typically a minimum of between one and two years of formal training at a technical or vocational school resulting in a certificate, diploma or associate’s degree.
Duties and Responsibilities of Medical Assistants
Although the duties of a medical assistant may vary somewhat from one job to the next, they all work to keep doctors’ offices and clinics running smoothly. In all cases, medical assistants perform the tasks physicians delegate to them with the goal of supporting the physician in providing the best possible patient care. In smaller practices, the medical assistant may perform virtually all office and clinical tasks, but in larger practices, medical assistants may have a specialized function, which may include managing other staff.
Types of Medical Assistants
There are three main types of medical assistants: clinical medical assistants, administrative medical assistants, and specialized medical assistants.
Clinical Medical Assistant
A clinical medical assistant’s primary focus is on patient care, conducting assessments, and performing other clinical tasks. This may include preparing patients for medical examinations, documenting vitals and medical histories, instructing patients on home care, performing minor treatments, and assisting the physician during examinations. While the job duties of a clinical medical assistant are broad, the main focus will be on the clinical aspects of the practice.
More info on clinical medical assistants.
Administrative Medical Assistant
Administrative medical assistants mostly perform administrative tasks such as managing patient records, making appointments, answering phones, maintaining the front desk and reception areas, and performing general accounting and billing. Administrative medical assistants play a pivotal role in physicians’ offices. They ensure that the business side of the practice operates smoothly to ensure minimal interruption to the physician’s core function of providing patient care. To be effective in this position, job candidates should have superb written and oral communication skills, proper phone etiquette, above average computer skills, and a basic understanding of medical terminology.
More info on administrative medical assistants.
Specialized Medical Assistant
Specialized medical assistants perform specialized clinical tasks, since their specialized training allows them to work closely with physicians and serve patients more directly. Depending upon the size of the medical practice, specialized medical assistants may report directly to the physician, or to an administrative manager. The specific tasks that specialized medical assistants perform will depend largely on their area of specialization, size of the practice, and the number of assistants on staff.
There are many specialized medical assistant certifications available through the Association of Medical Technologists. To receive certification, assistants must complete an accredited training program and pass the certification examination. In many cases, certified medical assistants earn higher wages and have better job opportunities than those without certification.
Choosing a Specialty
When choosing a specialty, aspiring medical assistants should take the time to determine where their true interests lie and pursue coursework and certification specific to that specialized field of medicine. Some options include family medicine, geriatrics, internal medicine, OB/GYN, pediatrics, and oncology. Other options for specialization include transplantation surgery, cardiology, urology, women’s health, endocrinology, among other fields.
There has never been a better time to become a medical assistant, regardless of the role or specialization. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects an employment growth rate in the field of medical assisting of more than 30% by 2022. Whether interested in a career as a clinical medical assistant, an administrative medical assistant, or a specialized medical assistant, this career promises ample employment opportunities, great earning potential, and a career that is both challenging and rewarding.