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CareerPaths
Medical Assistant
Medical Assistants assist nursing and medical staff in our hospitals, clinics, group medical practices and physicians offices. They provide basic personal care and transport of patients, and assist with many clerical support aspects of patient care.
Job Information
Medical Assistants must be very customer service oriented. They are often one of the first points of contact in a clinic or physician’s office.
Medical assistants greet patients, update and file medical records, assist with insurance paperwork and forms, schedule appointments, assist with admissions and requests for laboratory services and sometimes handle billing and related paperwork. They may also assist clinical staff by helping to take vital signs, assessing patients needs, prepare patients for examinations or other procedures, collect and prepare laboratory specimens, remove sutures and change dressings. Medical Assistants may also help arrange examination room instruments and equipment, and maintain supplies and equipment. Depending on the setting and area of specialization, some Medical Assistants might also help with preparing patients for X-rays, take electrocardiograms, instruct patients about medication and special diets, and under the supervision of a physician they might also help prepare and administer medications. Depending on where they work, Medical Assistants can perform primarily clerical “front-office” type duties, or a mixture of clinical and administrative duties. In some situations they provide direct assistance to the clinical nursing staff and have fewer clerical duties. Medical Assistants are different than Medical Office Assistants, which is primarily a clerical job (see Administrative Associate).
Work Environment
Medical Assistants work in clean, well lighted environments. They constantly interact with others in the workplace, either customers or clinical and administrative staff. They must be very customer service oriented and able to handle multiple tasks easily. Normally, in a clinic or physician’s office setting, Medical Assistants work a normal schedule. In a hospital environment, other shifts, including weekends might be available. As Medical Assistants generally work in outpatient or ambulatory care settings the work is often fast paced and varied.
Job Outlook/Advancement
Employment opportunities are expected to grow as the health services industry expands. Advances in technology, particularly diagnostics, and a growing, aging population with increasing demand for healthcare services will help create more positions. Advanced training and greater specialization opportunities will make Medical Assisting an ideal entry level career that can lead to even greater opportunities in patient care.
Training Requirements
Medical Assistants who have had formal training from an accredited program are in greatest demand. Medical Assistant training is available in vocational-technical schools, post-secondary vocational schools, community and junior colleges, and in some colleges and universities. Post-secondary programs usually last either one-year, resulting in a certificate or diploma, or two years resulting in an associate degree.
A high school diploma or equivalent is required, and having had some courses in math, English, biology typing, computers and office skills would be helpful. Prior experience working in a physician’s office, hospital or other healthcare facility is also helpful. Experience acquired through military training is particularly valuable
Courses cover anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, as well as the clerical skills necessary to function in an office type environment. Such skills as data entry and other keyboard or computer skills including typing and medical transcription are often necessary. Students also learn laboratory techniques, clinical and diagnostic procedures, pharmaceutical principles, medication administration and general first aid. They also may study medical office practices, patient relations, medical law and ethics. Programs also generally include an externship that provides practical experience working in a physician’s office, hospital or other healthcare facility.
When selecting an educational program, it is important that you ensure it is accredited. It is also wise to check job placement statistics, or talk with former students who have successfully gained employment to see if the training they received was adequate. Two agencies accredit programs in Medical Assisting:
The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education programs (CAAHEP)
35 East Wacker Drive
Suite 1970
Chicago, IL 60601-2208
Phone 312-553-9355
The Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
7777 Leesburg Pike, Suite 314 North
Falls Church, Virginia 22043
phone (703) 917-9503
Licensure/Certification
Although there is no licensing for Medical Assistants, professional certification is available by taking a national examination administered through either of two organizations. Although certification is not required, it is preferred.
The American Association of Medical Assistants
20 N. Wacker Dr., Suite. 1575
Chicago, IL 60606
(312) 899-1500
The American Medical Technologists
710 Higgins Road
Park Ridge, Illinois
60068-5765
(847) 823-5169
How Do I Get There?
Becoming a Medical Assistant can be a natural extension of your interest in providing greater levels of direct patient care and administrative support. If you already have some healthcare background in either a clerical or patient care area, with additional education and training you could move into a Medical Assistant role. If you are currently working as an Administrative Associate or a CNA, you have some basic experience in that could prove valuable as you move into a new career as a Medical Assistant. Military training and experience as a Hospital Corpsman or Medic is particularly valuable. Medical Assistants often advance into other specialty areas including nursing, emergency medicine, etc. It is also possible for Medical Assistants who have acquired significant clerical experience to move into a more administrative role working with medical records or patient accounting. As you can see, a position as a Medical Assistant can be an ideal place to explore additional healthcare related career opportunities while you gain practical experience.
Related Links
Advanced Medical Assistant of America
American Medical Technologists
The American Association of Medical Assistants
20 N. Wacker Dr., Suite. 1575 Chicago, IL 60606 (312) 899-1500
Educational Programs
Bryant and Stratton College
(formerly Commonwealth Business College) 301 Center Pointe Drive Virginia Beach VA 23462 757-499-7900 8141 Hull Street Road Richmond VA 23235-6411 804-745-2444
Medical Careers Institute
Virginia Beach Campus 5501 Greenwich Road Suite 100 Virginia Beach VA 23462 757-497-8400 Newport News Campus 11790 Jefferson Avenue Newport News VA 23606 757-873-2423
Tidewater Community College
Virginia Beach Campus 1700 College Crescent Virginia Beach VA 23456-1918 757-822-7252
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