Wednesday 5 October 2011

The Benefits of Becoming a Medical Assistant

One of the fastest growing careers in the medical field is that of Medical Assistant. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assistant jobs are expected to grow by 35% over the next few years. This is a great time to get started in this exciting field.

Allied health professionals are well respected in the health care industry. They are paid relatively well and have many employment opportunities. If this is a career you are interested in, you'll want to find out what the job expectations are and how to get started. Well, we've done the research for you! We invite you to read on to learn more about this specialty.

About this Profession

CMAs usually work for a physician in their private practice. They usually work for a general practitioner. Some work in hospitals, clinics or nursing facilities.

Typically CMAs help doctors and nurses with a mixture of tasks. They can work in both a clinical and administrative capacity. Administrative duties could include scheduling appointments, signing patients in and handling basic billing issues.

Basic Skills You Should Have

Medical assistants are versatile enough to work for many different types of doctors, including optometrists and podiatrists. Certain skills are essential to work in these specialities. Podiatrists often need help with foot castings, so familiarity with this part of the anatomy will come in handy for medical assistants who choose to work in this specialty.

A good understanding of the human eyeball will help you if you work for an optometrist. You might be required to instruct the patient on the appropriate use of contact lenses or help them choose the right glasses.

Qualifications to Help You Get Ahead

MAs can perform the basic job requirements in pretty much any medical office. But if you're up for a challenge, you should consider becoming certified in some specialized procedures. Some certifications to consider might include phlebotomy, EKG technician and x-ray technician. Typically, these procedures call for extra education. If you want to make more money and enjoy a position of responsibility within the office, these additional certifications will help you achieve just that.

Certification - The Key to Success

Once you've been adequately trained, you'll need to take (and pass) the American Association of Medical Assistants Examination. Once you've completed your education and passed the AAMA exam you'll be officially recognized as a Certified Medical Assistant. As a certified allied health professional your employer will feel more comfortable giving you more responsibilities, and you may even get a raise!

Not only are medical assistants a valuable part of the medical office, they also serve the community by helping people on a day-to-day basis. Both administrative and clinical medical assistants can expect to find a great deal of challenge and reward in their field of employment.

Working as a medical assistant is more than a job, it's a career that you have take pride in. You won't regret the time and effort taken into preparing for this career! So if you've been thinking about working as a CMA, don't delay any longer - get yourself enrolled in a training program now!

If the health care field interests you, you should consider becoming a medical assistant. Click through to find out how to get started with medical assistant training and where to find schools in your area!


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