Sunday 12 August 2012

Choosing Medical Assistant as a Career

By Charles Wheeler


You might be a young person deciding on which school to enroll, or an experienced individual wanting a a brand new career, considering the possibilities in the general career area of medical assistant could possibly be worth researching.

The medical assistant title is is a basic title. Exact job titles under this general title normally include Clinical Laboratory Worker, Licensed Practical Nurse, Surgical Technician, and even Veterinary Assistant. There are a few other specific job titles, as well, but this gives the reader a good idea of the breadth of opportunities that come 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.

Overall, approximately 62% of assistants work in doctor's offices. Approximately 12% work in hospitals, and another 11% work in other health-related offices. Some specific duties that a medical assistant perform include direct contact with patients, as well as other administrative tasks.

An individual may very well perform such duties as getting a patient's pulse, reading blood pressure, and gauging height and weight of a patient. They may additionally do indirect patient tasks such as running an EKG unit or other sorts of laboratory equipment, and giving equipment to general practitioners. They could also draw blood and provide shots.

Some of the administrative tasks can include talking to patients, booking laboratory procedures, and giving instruction to patients concerning medication or diet. They may also carry out transcriptions, inventory medication or medical materials, and set up examination areas for patients.

The working conditions are often the same as the majority of doctor offices. They are commonly very clean and well illuminated. They generally work around harmful or risky substances, and also function in environments where bacteria and communicable diseases are present.

Assistants generally hold the same work hours as doctors and health professionals, and sometimes work odd shifts, and must be available for on-call and standby work. Travel is sometimes required such as delivering medicine 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 diploma and usually enroll in a 2-year program through local community colleges. Medical assistants do not need licensing, although some specific job titles have licensed requirements.

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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