AAS in Medical Assistant

Graduates of AAS in Medical Assistant perform routine clinical and clerical tasks to keep offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors and optometrists running smoothly. The duties of Medical Assistants vary from office to office, depending on office location, size and specialty. In small practices, Medical Assistants usually handle both clerical and clinical duties and report directly to an office manager, physician or another healthcare practitioner. Those in large practices tend to specialize in a particular area under the supervision of department administrators.

ADMINISTRATIVE (FRONT OFFICE) RESPONSIBILITES

Medical Assistants should be able to perform clerical duties. Those duties can include answering telephones, greeting patients, updating and filing patient medical records, completing insurance forms, handling correspondence, scheduling patient appointments, arranging for hospital admission and laboratory services, and handling billing and bookkeeping.

CLINICAL (BACK OFFICE) RESPONSIBILITES

Medical Assistants will spend much of their time in the clinic area. Clinical duties may include taking medical histories and recording vital signs, explaining treatment procedures to patients, preparing patients for examination and assisting during examinations.

They may also collect and prepare laboratory specimens or perform basic laboratory tests. They instruct patients about medication and special diets, prepare and administer medications as directed by a physician, authorize drug refills as directed, telephone prescriptions to a pharmacy, draw blood, prepare patients for X-rays, take EKGs, remove suture and change dressings.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Medical Assistants work in a well-lighted, clean environment. They constantly interact with other people, and may have to handle several responsibilities at once.

EMPLOYMENT

More and more Medical Assistants are being employed to keep up with a growing medical industry, and employment is soaring for this occupation. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Medical Assistant profession is projected to be the fastest growing health care occupation of them all over the 2002-12 period. Prospects are best for Medical Assistants with formal training or experience.

Health care facilities are particularly interested in the flexible Medical Assistant who can handle both office and clinical duties. Because Medical Assistants deal with the public, they must be neat and well groomed and have a polite, pleasant manner. Medical Assistants must be able to put patients at ease and explain physicians' instructions.

ADVANCEMENT

Medical Assistants working as a hospital employee may be able to advance to office manager, ward clerk, or medical record clerk. Medical Assistants may qualify for a wide variety of administrative support occupations, or may teach medical assisting. Some, with additional schooling, enter other health occupations such as nursing and medical technology.