(Newswire.net — September 22, 2021) —
For anyone considering a medical assistant career, it’s essential to take the time to learn about what the job entails and how much it pays. Medical assistants work in healthcare environments and can find jobs working for private practices or even at home offices. So what exactly does the job entail? To answer this question, we reached out to the team at MedAssistantEdu.
Medical Assistants are an essential part of any doctor’s office, clinic, or other where medical procedures are done. While different employers may have slightly different job descriptions for their assistants, most perform responsibilities like taking vital signs (such as blood pressure and pulse), weight and height; explaining treatment to patients; preparing equipment; cleaning; disinfecting; stocking items; arranging laboratory tests; scheduling appointments; filing records; sending correspondence via e-mail, phone or fax machines.
(Note: Most of these jobs require additional training after the necessary certification is achieved through a program in Medical Assisting. Some simple tasks can be learned on the job in an entry-level position.)
Medical assistants who work with doctors’ offices or hospitals also perform clerical duties such as answering telephones, greeting patients, scheduling appointments, and arranging hospital admissions. Some may even run errands like picking up prescriptions or lab samples.
But if you’re looking to remain on the criminal side (har har), there are quite a few opportunities available as well. Advancement in the field of medical assisting is possible; some options include becoming a clinical specialist (certified through the American Association of Medical Assistants) or supervisor within an office setting. Those with certification can become instructors for those wanting to enter the medical assisting profession; they can also handle more technical tasks such as billing services and insurance claims management.
Medical assistants must have excellent communication skills, organization, and planning abilities, be self-motivated and have good manual dexterity. Strong math skills are also a must.
In addition to those basic qualifications, it’s necessary to have certification through the Medical Assisting National Board (MANB), especially if you want to work as a medical assistant in a hospital or other large healthcare facility. Certification from the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) is another option for becoming certified clinical specialists.
There are several ways that someone can prepare themselves for a career as a medical assistant. Individual states require assistants to be licensed or registered-and they offer training programs that cover all aspects of medical assisting, including anatomy and physiology, clinical procedures, laboratory tests and insurance billing processes. Some colleges provide two-year associate degree programs in this profession; others offer certificate programs after completing a one-year post-high school training program. Distance learning courses are also available for those who can’t attend day classes and online courses that lead to certification as a medical assistant.
Learn About State Requirements
While certification is helpful, state laws require medical assistants to be licensed or registered in most states. However, it’s worth noting that some careers like dental assistants and nursing assistants require licensure in all 50 states. When considering where to live and work, pay close attention to what your state requires before you become employed; if the job you’re interested in involves licensure, check with your state board for specific requirements (contact information can usually be found on the website).
Each state board of medical examiners (or its equivalent) can provide information on education, testing and continuing education; some even allow you to apply for the license online. Some states require applicants to pass a national certification exam like the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) offered through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Contact your state board for specific information and requirements regarding this profession.
Even if you meet all the qualifications, don’t expect to become employed immediately-assistants are always in high demand, and job openings may not appear until after graduation. If you like what you read here and want more information on careers as a medical assistant, investigate potential training programs or colleges near you that offer courses in this subject.
Consider National Certification
In addition to state requirements, it’s a good idea to become certified through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) or a clinical certification offered by a college or university. The certificate provided by AAMA is available immediately after graduation from an accredited school and successfully passing an exam. The exams are given throughout the year and can be taken at Prometric testing centres located nationwide. To qualify for this certification, you must have completed 120 hours of training in a medical assisting program, including 72 hours of hands-on experience under supervision from a physician. Some states require assistants working within their area to carry national certification; check with your local board for specific information before accepting employment as a medical assistant.
Medical assistant certifications reflect that individual’s knowledge of working in a medical office. The two most widely recognized certifications for medical assistants are Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA), offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), and Registered Medical Assistant (RMA), issued by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). AAMA provides certification training through more than 300 colleges and universities nationwide, while NHA offers distance learning opportunities to become certified without attending classes on campus.