How to Become a Medical Assistant
Medical Assistants not only communicate with patients, they communicate with doctors, nurses, medical billing staff, insurance reps and pharmacists. They play a key role assisting both nurses and administrators. Medical Assistants perform administrative and clinical tasks on a daily basis and help keep offices running smoothly. Whether working for physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors or other health care facilitators there is always plenty of work for a medical assistant. Some of their duties include, measuring vital signs, performing lab tests, scheduling appointments, greeting patients, stocking and ordering supplies, answering phones, drawing blood or explaining treatment procedures to patients and their families. The duties vary from office to office, depending on the location and size of the practice.
The Medical Assistant profession is highly versatile. A few of topics that they are required to learn are anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, pharmacology, medical insurance billing and coding. Medical assisting programs are typically one to two year courses. An internship may be need to be completed for students in accredited programs so that they gain the hands on experience that is needed.
How Much Does a Medical Assistant Make - Medical Assistant Salaries
Medical Assistants can expect to earn $38,000 annually. Medical Assistant salaries have been on the rise over the past few years and that trend is expected to continue.