Become a Medical Assistant

Whether you are a first-time job seeker or someone wanting to advance careers while continuing to work, becoming a medical assistant is easier than you think. The demand for medical assistants has never been greater, and a growing variety of programs offer training on a schedule and budget to fit your needs.

With broad knowledge that covers anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, pharmacology and insurance billing and coding, medical assisting professionals are the true generalists of the health care profession. Certified medical assistants communicate daily with doctors, nurses, billing staff, insurance representatives and pharmacists. Medical assistants also interact frequently with patients and must be able to make them comfortable, explain physicians' instructions about medications and diets, and protect the confidentiality of their medical information. Medical assisting responsibilities include a variety of clinical and administrative tasks.

Clinical tasks often include the following:

• Taking medical histories
• Measuring vital signs
• Drawing blood
• Removing sutures and changing dressings
• Preparing lab specimens and performing lab tests
• Disposing of contaminated supplies
• Sterilizing medical instruments

Administrative tasks include the following:

• Greeting patients
• Scheduling appointments
• Updating and filing medical records
• Filling out insurance forms
• Stocking supplies
• Billing and bookkeeping

Medical assistants work in fast-paced environments such as physicians' offices, nursing homes, clinics, hospitals and emergency rooms. Most full-time medical assistants work a 40-hour week. Many work part time, evenings or weekends.

Some medical assistants are trained on the job, but employers now prefer to hire graduates of medical assisting programs offered by vocational schools and community colleges. Vocational programs last one year and result in a certificate or diploma. Two-year medical assisting programs at community colleges result in an associate's degree. There are many online medical assisting programs with flexible class schedules, giving access to those who must continue to work or maintain family responsibilities. Accredited medical assisting programs include internships that provide practical experience in physicians' offices, hospitals or other settings.

Although medical assistants are not licensed, the American Association of Medical Assistants and American Medical Technologists award certification or registration. Other organizations grant certifications in ophthalmic or podiatric medical assisting. Some employers prefer medical assistants to become certified and some states require medical assistants to take a course or pass a test before they can perform tasks such as taking x-rays or administering injections.