Finding safety and security with a medical assistant program
Medical assistants are one of the fastest growing
occupations with an estimated 34 percent growth between
2008 and 2018. Many people are turning to this field for
a secure future.
Medical assistant responsibilities
Clerical and clinical work are both part of the daily
routine for medical assistants. They do clinical work like
scheduling appointments, record keeping and following up
after patient care. They also help out in the clinic by
dressing wounds, drawing blood, removing stitches/sutures,
sterilizing medical equipment, operating machinery and
collecting samples for testing.
Medical assistant programs and courses
One way that applicants can really stand out is if they
have gone through formal training. Medical assistant programs
generally last between one and two years and result in a
certificate or Bachelor’s degree in medical assisting.
The actual courses offered vary, but they generally include
anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, radiology,
microbiology, patient care and communications and minor
clinical procedures.
There is a classroom and laboratory component of most
programs. Programs generally end in a clinical externship.
These allow for students to really put their knowledge to
work under the supervision of a physician or nurse in a
real medical environment. It is also recommended that
students volunteer while they are in school to get extra
experience.
Medical assistant certification exams
Another way that applicants can increase their chances
of getting a job and increasing their pay is by getting
certified. There are several organizations that offer
certification, but one of the main organizations is the
Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). To be eligible
for certification one must have graduated from a program
accredited by one of two organizations¬: The Commission of
Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
or The Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
Certified medical assistants need to take continuing education
credits every five years in order to maintain their certification.
Salary and job prospects after a medical assistant program
The Bureau of Labor Statistics says the
normal pay for a medical assistant is between
$28,000 and $40,000, with the median annual salary
for a medical assistant being $30,070. Experience,
formal education and certification all go into
consideration when deciding the pay for a medical
assistant entering the field.
Medical assistants often work in hospitals,
physician clinics and nursing homes. There is
a high demand for medical assistants because
of the increasing ageing population.
Many medical professions are in demand because of
the increase in heart disease, diabetes and obesity.
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