Career descriptions: Medical assisting

Performing administrative and clinical tasks, medical assistants keep the offices of physicians and healthcare practitioners running smoothly. They should not be confused with physicians’ assistants, who examine and treat patients under direct physician supervision.

Employers prefer experienced workers or certified applicants. This indicates that the medical assistant meets certain standards of competence. Medical assistant training is offered in career colleges, community colleges and junior colleges. Most certificate programs last one year, while two-year programs can result in an Associate degree. In 2005, there were over 500 medical assisting programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and about 170 accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
Medical assistants are not licensed, but some states require a test or course before performing certain tasks – such as giving injections or taking X-rays. With additional education, some enter other health occupations, such as nursing and medical technology.

Duties for medical assistants will vary, depending on the size and location of each practice. Small practices may require a medical assistant to handle both administrative and clinical duties. In larger practices, medical assistants may specialize in a particular area under the supervision of department administrators.

Administrative duties may include office work, answering telephones, interacting with patients, updating and filing medical records, and filling out insurance forms. Clinical duties vary according to state law. Common clinical work includes

* Taking medical histories
* Recording vital signs
* Drawing blood
* Taking electrocardiograms
* Removing sutures
* Changing dressings

Medical assistants may also assist physicians during examinations. They can collect and prepare laboratory specimens or perform basic laboratory tests on the premises. Medical assistants also assist patients by instructing them on special diets, explaining treatment procedures, and preparing patients for examination and X-rays. Some medical assistants, such as ophthalmic and podiatric medical assistants, are specialized and have additional duties.

A medical assisting career offers the chance to work in a doctor’s office or a hospital. Medical assistants work in clean, well-lit environments. Most full-time medical assistants work a 40-hour week, but many work part-time, evenings or weekends. Dealing with the public is an important part of the job, requiring that medical assistants are neat, well groomed, and have a courteous and pleasant manner. Medical assistants must be able to put patients at ease and respect the confidential nature of medical information. Clinical duties require a level of manual dexterity and visual acuity.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assistants held about 387,000 jobs in 2004. About 6 in 10 worked in physicians’ offices. The need for medical assistants is expected to grow much faster in the next decade as the healthcare industry expands. Medical advances and the growth and aging of the population are expected to drive the need for medical assistants through the year 2014.

Salaries for medical assistants depend on experience, skill level and location. In 2004, medical assistants earned $20,650 to $28,930 on average. Those in the highest 10 percent earn more than $34,650.