Every year the work of physicians and other health practitioners grows more complex and demanding. New drugs, new treatments, new surgical procedures, new methods of preventing disease, and new laws, increase the scope and volume of medical practice. Physicians who could formerly run a practice with the help of one nurse now need multi-skilled office and clinical staff to assist them in treating patients, and to keep records on patients, insurance, and payments.

Medical assistants perform a variety of clerical and clinical duties in medical offices, clinics, and laboratories.

Front Office Medical Assistants are assigned clerical or administrative office work. They answer phones, greet patients, update medical records, fill out insurance forms, schedule appointments, process the mail, and handle billing and bookkeeping.

Back Office Medical Assistants do clinical work preparing patients for the physician’s or health practitioner’s examination. They record the height, weight, temperature, pulse, and blood pressure of the patient’s. They interview patients to get their medical history, and record the answers on a medical history form. They may administer electrocardiograms (EKG), draw blood and give injections under the supervision of a licensed professional. They may perform basic laboratory tests and first aid procedures. They often help with minor surgery, remove sutures, change dressings on a wound, or carry out other treatments.

Medical assistants who specialize have additional duties.

Podiatric Medical Assistants make castings of feet, expose and develop x-rays, and assist podiatrists in surgery.

Chiropractic Medical Assistants aid chiropractors during physical examination of patients in lifting and turning patients under treatment, and giving physiotherapy treatments such as diathermy or hydrotherapy.

Ophthalmic Medical Assistants help ophthalmologists provide medical eye care. They administer diagnostic tests measure and record vision, and test the functioning of eyes and eye muscles. They show patients how to use eye dressings, protective shields, and safety and corrective glasses, and how to insert, remove, and care for contact lenses.

Skills Needed

Medical assistants should have excellent communications skills. They must be attentive listeners. They must be able to follow and explain the health practitioners’ instructions. Accuracy and attention to detail are important in every stage of this work. Clinical duties also require a reasonable level of manual dexterity and visual acuity.

Employers stress the need for dependability, common sense, emotional stability, a cheerful disposition, and willingness to assume responsibility. Medical assistants spend a great deal of time with people, so they should be able to interact well with them and put patients at ease. A neat and well groomed appearance, and a courteous, pleasant manner are important. Discretion and respect for the privacy of patients is vital.

Dollars and Cents

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, annual earnings for medical assistants were $26,290 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $21,970 and $31,210. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $18,860, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $36,840.

Education and Training

A high school diploma or equivalent is the minimum requirement, but most employers prefer graduates of formal medical assistant training programs. These programs are offered at vocational/technical schools, and community and junior colleges. Individuals can earn a certificate or diploma from a one-year program, or an associate degree from a two-year program.

In 2002, the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited 495 medical assistant training programs, and the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), accredited around 170 medical assistant programs.

Certification and Licensing

In general, medical assistants do not need a state license or certification. However, most states require medical assistants to be certified through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Those wishing to be certified must graduate from an accredited medical assistant training program. Individuals must also pass a written certification exam or complete a course before they can perform certain procedures, such as taking x-rays, drawing blood, or giving injections.

Career Outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assistants is projected to be the fastest growing occupation over the 2006-2016 period. Each year many assistants leave the field to return to school, take on family responsibilities, transfer to another occupation, or retire. During that time, employment is expected to grow by nearly 35 percent. Certified medical assistants should have little trouble finding a job.

Employers

Medical assistants may find full or part-time employment throughout the country in a variety of settings including:

• physicians’ offices
• inpatient and outpatient care centers
• public and private educational services
• ambulatory health care services
• medical and diagnostic laboratories
• nursing care facilities
• local, state, and federal government agencies
  • Veterans Administration
  • U.S. Health Service
  • armed forces

Moving Up

With experience they may transfer to a larger office, clinic, or HMO which requires greater responsibilities at higher pay. Medical assistants may eventually advance to office manager or other administrative support occupations. Some may go on to teach medical assisting programs. Others continue studies and training to acquire skills in another health-related occupation such as nursing or surgical technology.

Getting Started

1. If you are still in high school and considering becoming a medical assistant, take classes in health, biology, chemistry, and mathematics. Basic computer knowledge, keyboarding, English, and other office skills such as bookkeeping are important.
2. Interview someone in your area who works as a medical assistant. Tape record your conversation or jot down the points you find most interesting.
3. “Job Shadow” a medical assistant who performs front office administrative duties. In job shadowing, you ask permission to watch the person at work and take notes on the jobs done.
4. Consider volunteer, part-time, or summer work at health fairs and clinics.

Getting Work

1. Become a certified medical assistant even if your state does not require certification. This will give you an edge above other applicants.
2. If you go through an accredited training program, contact the job placement office for job openings.
3. Send your resume and cover letter to physicians, chiropractors, optometrists, and podiatrists offices. Remember to ask that your resume be kept on file if there are no current openings.
4. Job openings are often advertised in the classified section of newspapers under headings including “Medical Assistant”, “Medical Clinic,” or “Medical Front Office.”
5. Check out job opportunities online. Start at some of the more popular sites such as Monster and Career Builder.
6. Continue your education. This will help make you more marketable and enable you to earn a higher salary.

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