Friday, 10 August 2012

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Looking at a Career as a Medical Assistant

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 general title. Specific job titles under this general title 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 an idea of the scope of careers that fall under this general title.

Generally speaking, assistants work under the direction of an authorized medical doctor. People in this discipline function along with health-related employees and they can also watch over medical secretaries and clerks. In overall functions, the assistants help to keep the medical clinics working well by assisting the licensed doctors, and they run routine administrative and clinical tasks, and they can also carry out more specific tasks.

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.

A person may perform such tasks as taking a patient's pulse, checking blood pressure, and measuring height and weight of a patient. They may also do indirect patient tasks such as operating an EKG machine or other laboratory equipment, and handing equipment to doctors. They may also draw blood and administer injections.

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 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 for a career path can aid in finding employment after completing a reasonable amount of schooling, and a wide-range of specific opportunities.




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