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Looking at a Career as a Medical Assistant

By Charles Wheeler


Whether you are a young person deciding on which college to attend, or an experienced person looking for a career change, considering the opportunities in the general career area of medical assistant might be worth looking into.

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 may include interviewing patients, scheduling laboratory procedures, and giving instruction to patients concerning medication or diet. They may also perform transcriptions, inventory medicine or medical supplies, and prepare exam rooms for patients.

The working conditions are often similar to most doctor offices. They are generally very clean and well lighted. They often work around dangerous or hazardous material, and must work in environments where contamination and communicable diseases are present.

Assistants generally hold the same working hours as doctors and health professionals, and occasionally work odd shifts, and sometimes need to be on hand for on-call and standby work. Travel is sometimes requested such as delivering medicine to an elderly patient or between medical offices.

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 commonly go to a 2-year program at a local community college. Medical assistants do not require licensing, however some particular 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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