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Medical
assistants are
usually trained on the job and work in a physician’s office. They perform
administrative and clerical duties, along with clinical tasks in the offices of
physicians, health practitioners, and chiropractors. This helps ensure smooth
operations throughout the office, but the position is very different from a
physician assistant role.
Job Description and Responsibilities of Medical Assistant School Graduates
Medical Assistant Schools
Graduates of medical assistant
schools are expected to:
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Communicate and correspond
with the public
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Put patients at ease by
explaining the physician’s or health practitioner’s instructions
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Assume office manager
responsibilities and duties
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Maintain patient
confidentiality
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Become familiar with the
physician’s goals
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Understand basic
pharmaceutical principles
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Learn about medical law and
adhere to ethical standards
Career Options After
Medical
Assistant
School
Students of medical assistant schools can choose to work in:
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Hospitals
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Group
practices
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Physician offices
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Chiropractor’s offices
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Public and private education
services
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Ambulatory
health care service
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Medical laboratories
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Nursing care facilities
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Outpatient care centers
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State and local government
health care agencies
Medical Assistant Training & Certification
Prospective medical assistants
can obtain medical assistant training in a few ways. One way to obtain medical
assistant training is to enroll in programs offered at vocational-technical high
schools that focus on a specific curriculum. Postsecondary vocational schools
and community colleges are another option. Most postsecondary programs range
from 1-2 years in length, and many result in an Associate Degree.
The Associate Degree covers a
range of subjects that may include science-based topics such as anatomy, medical
terminology, and physiology, along with administrative and business
processes. Here, most students learn medical transcription, recordkeeping,
accounting, insurance processing, and typing. Office practices may include
patient relations, medical ethics, and medical law. Laboratory techniques may
include first aid training, administration of medication, and basic
pharmaceutical procedures.
Another option is to enroll in
a formal medical assisting program. Although this is not required, it is
preferred by many prospective employers. Applicants to this program will need a
high school diploma or equivalent, with recommended high school courses of
mathematics, health, computers, office skills, typing, and
bookkeeping. Volunteer experience in the health care industry can also help with
enrollment in this type of program. All accredited programs include an
internship that provides hands-on experience at a health care facility or
office.
Find a Medical Assistant School Near You.
Graduates of medical assistant
programs may apply for a license, but this is not necessarily required. Some
states do require a test or a course in order to be approved for certain
tasks. These tasks may range from handling x-ray equipment to medical note
taking procedures.
Medical assistants are required
to be either certified or licensed, and the majority choose to be certified. Two
types of certification are available; the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)
credential is awarded by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). The
American Medical Technologists (AMT) awards the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)
certificate.
Certification requires
graduation from an accredited medical assistant program. Certification is
recognized by many prospective employers around the country, and can give any
medical assistant student a competitive edge.
Medical Assistant Schools Accreditation
The Commission on Accreditation
of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and the Accrediting Bureau of
Health Education Schools (ABHES) are the governing bodies that accredit programs
in medical assisting.
Medical Assistant School Graduates Earning
Potential and Employment Prospects
Medical assistant graduates made an average of $27,490 in 2004. The
earnings vary depending on the experience of the medical assistant, their skill
level, and location. The demand for skilled medical assistant program graduates
has grown significantly in recent years, and employment prospects look
promising. The high rate of health care services is the main reason for the need
of skilled professionals in this area. Medical assistants can advance in their
career with specialization, by working in a particular health care field, or
moving into office manager positions and other positions with increased
responsibility. Related occupations include:
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Dental assistants
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Occupational therapist
assistants
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Pharmacy aides
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Physical therapist
assistants
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Medical records and health
information technicians
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