CNA / Medical Assistant Profile
Significant Points
- An associates degree or certificate is generally required for Nurses Assistant careers.
- Employment is projected to grow much faster than average, ranking medical assistants among the fastest growing occupations over the 2006-16 decade.
- Job prospects should be excellent.
- The average medical assistant made about $28,000 in 2004, according to the American Medical Association. Specializing in areas such as Nuclear Medicine can increase potential earnings to over $80,000.
Career Overview
Medical assistants perform administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, and other health practitioners running smoothly. They should not be confused with Physician assistants, who examine, diagnose, and treat patients under the direct supervision of a physician.
The duties of medical assistants vary from office to office, depending on the location and size of the practice and the practitioners specialty. In small practices, medical assistants usually do many different kinds of tasks, 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.
With a knowledge base that includes anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, pharmacology, medical insurance billing and coding, medical assistants are highly versatile professionals in both clinical and administrative realms. Medical assistants communicate with a wide variety people including doctors, nurses, patients, medical billing staff, insurance representatives and pharmacists.
The duties of medical assistants vary from office to office, depending on the location and size of the practice and the practitioners specialty. In small practices, medical assistants usually do many different kinds of tasks, 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.
For clinical medical assistants, duties vary according to what is allowed by State law. Some common tasks include taking medical histories and recording vital signs, explaining treatment procedures to patients, preparing patients for examinations, and assisting physicians during examinations. Medical assistants collect and prepare laboratory specimens and sometimes perform basic laboratory tests on the premises, dispose of contaminated supplies, and sterilize medical instruments. They might instruct patients about medications and special diets, prepare and administer medications as directed by a physician, authorize drug refills as directed, telephone prescriptions to a pharmacy, draw blood, prepare patients for x-rays, take electrocardiograms, remove sutures, and change dressings.
Medical assistants perform administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, and other health practitioners running smoothly. They should not be confused with Physician assistants, who examine, diagnose, and treat patients under the direct supervision of a physician.
The duties of medical assistants vary from office to office, depending on the location and size of the practice and the practitioners specialty. In small practices, medical assistants usually do many different kinds of tasks, 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.
With a knowledge base that includes anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, pharmacology, medical insurance billing and coding, medical assistants are highly versatile professionals in both clinical and administrative realms. Medical assistants communicate with a wide variety people including doctors, nurses, patients, medical billing staff, insurance representatives and pharmacists.
The duties of medical assistants vary from office to office, depending on the location and size of the practice and the practitioners specialty. In small practices, medical assistants usually do many different kinds of tasks, 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.
For clinical medical assistants, duties vary according to what is allowed by State law. Some common tasks include taking medical histories and recording vital signs, explaining treatment procedures to patients, preparing patients for examinations, and assisting physicians during examinations. Medical assistants collect and prepare laboratory specimens and sometimes perform basic laboratory tests on the premises, dispose of contaminated supplies, and sterilize medical instruments. They might instruct patients about medications and special diets, prepare and administer medications as directed by a physician, authorize drug refills as directed, telephone prescriptions to a pharmacy, draw blood, prepare patients for x-rays, take electrocardiograms, remove sutures, and change dressings.
Related Medical and Healthcare Programs
Pharmacy Technician
| Medical Billing and Coding
| Healthcare Administration
Dental Technician
| Physical Therapist
| Medical Imaging
Opportunities have never been better in Healthcare for individuals with the proper training. These other Healthcare careers offer strong growth potential as well.
Education and Training
Postsecondary medical assisting programs are offered in vocational-technical high schools, postsecondary vocational schools, and community and junior colleges. Programs usually last either 1 year and result in a certificate or diploma, or 2 years and result in an associate degree. Courses cover anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology, as well as typing, transcription, recordkeeping, accounting, and insurance processing. Students learn laboratory techniques, clinical and diagnostic procedures, pharmaceutical principles, the administration of medications, and first aid. They study office practices, patient relations, medical law, and ethics. There are various organizations that accredit medical assisting programs. Accredited programs often include an internship that provides practical experience in physicians offices, hospitals, or other health care facilities.
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. Recommended high school courses include mathematics, health, biology, typing, bookkeeping, computers, and office skills. Volunteer experience in the health care field also is helpful. Medical assistants who are trained on the job usually spend their first few months attending training sessions and working closely with more experienced workers.
Medical assistants need to know everything from accounting to pharmacology, so a well rounded administrative and clinical education is necessary. You'll also get plenty of real-world practice during your externship in a hospital or doctor's office. Medical assistant courses include:
Postsecondary medical assisting programs are offered in vocational-technical high schools, postsecondary vocational schools, and community and junior colleges. Programs usually last either 1 year and result in a certificate or diploma, or 2 years and result in an associate degree. Courses cover anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology, as well as typing, transcription, recordkeeping, accounting, and insurance processing. Students learn laboratory techniques, clinical and diagnostic procedures, pharmaceutical principles, the administration of medications, and first aid. They study office practices, patient relations, medical law, and ethics. There are various organizations that accredit medical assisting programs. Accredited programs often include an internship that provides practical experience in physicians offices, hospitals, or other health care facilities.
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. Recommended high school courses include mathematics, health, biology, typing, bookkeeping, computers, and office skills. Volunteer experience in the health care field also is helpful. Medical assistants who are trained on the job usually spend their first few months attending training sessions and working closely with more experienced workers.
Medical assistants need to know everything from accounting to pharmacology, so a well rounded administrative and clinical education is necessary. You'll also get plenty of real-world practice during your externship in a hospital or doctor's office. Medical assistant courses include:
- Clinical and diagnostic procedures
- First aid
- Human anatomy
- Keyboarding and computer applications
- Laboratory techniques
- Medical billing and insurance coding
- Medical law and ethics
- Medical terminology
- Medication administration
- Office practices
- Patient relations
- Pharmacology
- Physiology
- Recordkeeping and accounting
Employment and Job Outlook
Due to advances in medical technology and a growing population of elderly people in need of medical care, the demand for medical assistants has never been greater. You'll find medical assistants in physician offices, nursing homes, clinics, hospitals and emergency rooms.
Due to advances in medical technology and a growing population of elderly people in need of medical care, the demand for medical assistants has never been greater. You'll find medical assistants in physician offices, nursing homes, clinics, hospitals and emergency rooms.
Earnings
Median annual wage-and-salary earnings of medical assistants were $27,885 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $25,659 and $30,423. The highest 10 percent earned more than $35,840.
Median annual wage-and-salary earnings of medical assistants were $27,885 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $25,659 and $30,423. The highest 10 percent earned more than $35,840.