Medical Assistant Careers

Medical Assistant Career Overview

Medical assistants perform administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, and other health practitioners running smoothly.

The duties of clinical assistants vary from office to office, depending on the location and size of the practice and the practitioner's specialty. In small practices, medical assistants usually are generalists, handling both administrative and clinical duties and reporting directly to an office manager, physician, or other health practitioner. Those in large practices tend to specialize in a particular area, under the supervision of department administrators.

Medical assistants deal with the public, so they must be neat, well-groomed, and have a courteous, pleasant manner. Medical assistants must be able to put patients at ease and explain physicians' instructions. They must respect the confidential nature of medical information. Clinical duties require a reasonable level of manual dexterity and visual acuity.

Clinical assistants may be able to advance to the position of office manager. They may qualify for a variety of administrative support occupations or they may teach medical assisting. With additional education, some enter other healthcare occupations, such as nursing or medical technology.

Medical Assistant Training & Education

Most employers prefer graduates of formal programs in medical assisting. Such programs are offered in vocational/technical high schools, post-secondary vocational schools, and community and junior colleges. Post-secondary programs usually last either one year, resulting in a certificate or diploma, or two years, resulting in an associate degree.

Both the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) accredit programs in medical assisting.

Formal training in medical assisting, while generally preferred, is not always required. Some medical assistants are trained on the job, although this practice is less common than in the past. Applicants usually need a high school diploma or the equivalent.

Although medical assistants are not licensed, some states require them to take a test or a course before they can perform certain tasks, such as taking X-rays or giving injections.

Medical Assistant Career & Salary Outlook

Employment of medical assistants is expected to grow much faster than average for all occupations through the year 2014 as the healthcare industry expands because of technological advances in medicine and the growth and aging of the population. Increasing utilization of medical assistants in the rapidly growing healthcare industry will further stimulate job growth.

The earnings of medical assistants vary, depending on their experience, skill level, and location. The average yearly earnings of medical assistants is reported to be $24,610.

As a medical assistant, you can get jobs in offices of physicians, public and private hospitals, and outpatient care centers, among other places.

Career Fields/Specializations

Dental Assistant Career

Dental assistants perform a variety of patient care, office, and laboratory duties. They work chair-side as dentists examine and treat patients.

Most assistants learn their skills on the job, although an increasing number are trained in dental assisting programs offered by community and junior colleges, trade schools, technical institutes, or the Armed Forces.

Assistants must be a second pair of hands for a dentist, therefore dentists look for people who are reliable, work well with others, and have good manual dexterity.

Most states regulate the duties that dental assistants are allowed to perform through licensure or registration. Licensure or registration may require passing a written or practical examination.

Without further education, advancement opportunities are limited. Some dental assistants become office managers, dental assisting instructors, or dental product sales representatives. Others go back to school to become dental hygienists. For many, this entry-level occupation provides basic training and experience, and serves as a stepping stone to more highly skilled and higher paying jobs.

Physicians Assistant Career

Physician assistants (PAs) practice medicine under the supervision of physicians and surgeons. PAs are formally trained to provide diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive healthcare services, as delegated by a physician.

All states require that PAs complete an accredited, formal education program and pass a national exam to obtain a license. PA programs usually last at least two years and are full time.

Surgical assistant specialty physician assistants need leadership skills, self-confidence, and emotional stability. They must be willing to continue studying throughout their career to keep up with medical advances.

As they attain greater clinical knowledge and experience, PAs can advance to added responsibilities and higher earnings. However, by the very nature of the profession, clinically practicing PAs always are supervised by physicians.

Podiatric Assistant Career

Podiatric medical assistants make castings of feet, expose and develop X-rays, and assist podiatrists in surgery.

There are no formal qualifications required to become a podiatry assistant. Training is usually given on the job. The expected on-the-job training is usually around 500 hours.

The podiatry assistant must undertake intensive study on a range of foot-related subjects, including the pathology of skin and nails, microbiology, and anatomy.

There are different venues in which the podiatry assistant can gain his or her training and qualifications. The podiatry assistant can apply to study at a private practice or in public hospitals. There are some colleges that offer courses to fulfill the qualifications necessary to become a podiatrist.

Nursing Aide Career

Nursing aides help care for the physically ill, injured, disabled, or infirm individuals confined to hospitals, nursing care facilities, and mental health settings. They perform routine tasks under the supervision of nursing and medical staff.

Nursing aides employed by nursing care facilities are often the principal caregivers, and have far more contact with the residents than any other members of the staff. Therefore, interpersonal and communication skills are an essential part of the job.

In many cases, a high school diploma or equivalent is necessary for a job as a nursing or psychiatric aide.

Nursing care facilities often hire inexperienced workers who must complete a minimum of 75 hours of mandatory training and pass a competency evaluation as part of a state-approved training program within four months of their employment.