Monday, 13 August 2012

Looking at a Career as a Medical Assistant

By Charles Wheeler


Whether you are a young person deciding on which college to attend, or an experienced person looking for a career change, considering the opportunities in the general career area of medical assistant might be worth looking into.

The medical assistant title is actually a broad title. Specific job titles under this general title can include Clinical Laboratory Worker, Licensed Practical Nurse, Surgical Technician, and Veterinary Assistant. There are a number of other distinct job titles, as well, but this gives the reader an understanding of the extent of professions that fall under this broad title.

Normally, assistants work under the instruction of a qualified medical professional. Men and women in this line of business function along with other health-related personnel and they can also manage medical secretaries and clerks. In general functions, the assistants help keep the medical offices running nicely by supporting the licensed medical doctors, and they run routine administrative and clinical work, and they can also perform more unique functions.

On the whole, around 62% of assistants are employed in doctor's offices. Approximately 12% work in hospitals, and an additional 11% work in other health-related workplaces. Some specialized functions that a medical assistant engage in include things like direct contact with patients, as well as other administrative duties.

A person could carry out such duties as getting a patient's pulse, checking blood pressure, and gauging height and weight of a patient. They may also do indirect patient duties such as running an EKG unit or other sorts of laboratory related equipment, and passing equipment to physicians. They may even draw blood and give shots.

Examples of the administrative responsibilities may include meeting with patients, booking laboratory procedures, and providing instruction to patients pertaining to medicine or food plan. They may also perform transcriptions, stock medication or medical items, and prepare examination areas for patients.

The working conditions are often similar to most doctor offices. They are generally very clean and well lighted. They often work around dangerous or hazardous material, and must work in environments where contamination and communicable diseases are present.

Assistants frequently hold the very same working hours as doctors and health professionals, and sometimes work different shifts, and also need to be available for on-call and standby work. Travel is from time to time necessary such as delivering medication to an elderly patient or between medical facilities.

Demand is currently high for this career field and is expected to remain high for at least the next eight years. The average starting salary in 2008 for medical assistants was approximately $28,000. Medical assistants can find both full time and part time work.

Medical assistants must have a high school degree and commonly enroll in a 2-year program through a local community college. Medical assistants do not require licensing, however some specific job titles have licensed standards.

Choosing medical assistants as a career, one can expect to find employment with a reasonable amount of schooling, and a wide-range of specific opportunities.




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