Medical assistants are in high demand throughout most of the country. Several factors are driving the demand for medical assistants. America’s population is aging, which is increasing the need for medical services of all types. Also, the number of group practices and clinics is continuing to climb, which in turn increases demand for support personnel.
But just what does a medical assistant do? Generally speaking, a medical assistant’s responsibilities can be divided between clinical and clerical.
On the clinical side, duties are often defined or restricted by state law. Depending on the facility’s location and size, a medical assistant may be responsible for:
- Taking medical histories
- Taking and recording vital signs
- Preparing patients for examinations
- Explaining treatment procedures to patients
- Drawing blood and performing other basic laboratory tests
- Analyzing medical test results on premises
- Sterilizing medical instruments
- Organizing medical instruments prior to an examination
On the clerical/administrative side, a medical assistant may be responsible for:
- Setting patient appointments
- Greeting patients at the front desk
- Creating, filing, retrieving and maintaining medical records
- Patient billing
- Filling out and filing insurance forms
- Handling patient and supplier correspondence
Again, depending on the size and location of the office, a medical assistant’s day can be extremely busy, demanding and, yes, even challenging. Salary and benefits will naturally depend on the medical assistant’s training, skill set, experience and the nature of the work being performed as well as the size and profitability of the office.
Medical Assisting Programs Available from Everest
If becoming a professional medical assistant sounds like a promising career path for you, you can get the training you need for an entry-level position in this exciting and rewarding field from Everest. With approximately 100 campuses across North America, Everest graduates more medical assistants than any other college in the United States. Plus Everest’s Career Services team helps graduates locate potential employers and prepare for their all-important job interviews. Financing is available for those who qualify.
For more information on Medical Assisting training, contact Everest today!
