Tuesday, August 14, 2012

What Does a Medical Assistant Do?

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 actually a broad title. Specific job titles under this general title can include Clinical Laboratory Worker, Licensed Practical Nurse, Surgical Technician, and Veterinary Assistant. There are a number of other distinct job titles, as well, but this gives the reader an understanding of the extent of professions that fall under this broad title.

In general, assistants work under the direction of a licensed medical doctor. People in this field work along with other health-related personnel and they can also supervise medical secretaries and clerks. In overall functions, the assistants help keep the medical offices running smoothly by assisting the licensed doctors, and they run routine administrative and clinical work, and they can also perform more specific duties.

Overall, somewhere around 62% of assistants work in doctor's offices. Approximately 12% work in hospitals, and another 11% function in other health-related places of work. Some particular duties that a medical assistant undertake include things like direct contact with patients, as well as other administrative responsibilities.

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 usually similar to just about all doctor offices. They are generally very clean and well illuminated. They commonly deal with dangerous or hazardous material, and must work in spaces where contamination and communicable illnesses are found.

Assistants frequently hold the very same working hours as doctors and health professionals, and sometimes work different shifts, and also need to be available for on-call and standby work. Travel is from time to time necessary such as delivering medication to an elderly patient or between medical facilities.

Demand is presently high for this career field and is likely to continue to be high throughout the next eight years. The average starting salary in 2008 for medical assistants was around $28,000. Medical assistants are able to 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.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.