What You Need to Know About Medical Assistant
Medical Assistant Job Description Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by physician.
Medical Assistant Responsibilities
- Schedule appointments for patients.
- Help physicians examine and treat patients, handing them instruments or materials or performing such tasks as giving injections or removing sutures.
- Set up medical laboratory equipment.
- Contact medical facilities or departments to schedule patients for tests or admission.
- Inventory and order medical, lab, or office supplies or equipment.
- Prepare treatment rooms for patient examinations, keeping the rooms neat and clean.
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What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Medical Assistant?
Below is a list of the skills most Medical Assistants say are important on the job.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Related Job Titles
- Medical Assistant (MA)
- Clinical Office Technician
- Ophthalmic Technician
- Optometry Assistant
- Autopsy Assistant
Are There Job Opportunities for Medical Assistants?
In the United States, there were 634,400 jobs for Medical Assistant in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 29% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 184,000 new jobs for Medical Assistant by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 94,900 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Medical Assistant are Utah, Arizona, and Florida. Watch out if you plan on working in Rhode Island, Mississippi, or Illinois. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What is the Average Salary of a Medical Assistant
The salary for Medical Assistants ranges between about $24,790 and $47,250 a year.
Medical Assistants who work in Alaska, District of Columbia, or Washington, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Medical Assistants in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $28,460 |
| Alaska | $45,490 |
| Arizona | $33,410 |
| Arkansas | $30,320 |
| California | $38,250 |
| Colorado | $36,180 |
| Connecticut | $38,350 |
| Delaware | $33,350 |
| District of Columbia | $42,010 |
| Florida | $32,870 |
| Georgia | $32,060 |
| Hawaii | $38,040 |
| Idaho | $33,540 |
| Illinois | $35,910 |
| Indiana | $32,580 |
| Iowa | $34,990 |
| Kansas | $31,400 |
| Kentucky | $31,900 |
| Louisiana | $28,740 |
| Maine | $35,160 |
| Maryland | $36,350 |
| Massachusetts | $40,270 |
| Michigan | $32,540 |
| Minnesota | $40,320 |
| Mississippi | $30,470 |
| Missouri | $32,260 |
| Montana | $34,520 |
| Nebraska | $34,670 |
| Nevada | $33,610 |
| New Hampshire | $36,730 |
| New Jersey | $35,840 |
| New Mexico | $30,750 |
| New York | $37,560 |
| North Carolina | $32,710 |
| North Dakota | $36,560 |
| Ohio | $31,900 |
| Oklahoma | $30,960 |
| Oregon | $38,260 |
| Pennsylvania | $32,770 |
| Rhode Island | $35,830 |
| South Carolina | $32,120 |
| South Dakota | $29,890 |
| Tennessee | $32,370 |
| Texas | $31,580 |
| Utah | $33,000 |
| Vermont | $37,740 |
| Virginia | $35,010 |
| Washington | $41,340 |
| West Virginia | $28,160 |
| Wisconsin | $36,410 |
| Wyoming | $33,830 |
What Tools do Medical Assistants Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Medical Assistants may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Email software
- Word processing software
- Spreadsheet software
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Database software
- Intuit QuickBooks
- MEDITECH software
- Medical procedure coding software
- Epic Systems
- Healthcare common procedure coding system HCPCS
- Medical condition coding software
- Electronic medical record EMR software
- Billing software
- Appointment scheduling software
- GE Healthcare Centricity EMR
How do I Become a Medical Assistant?
Education needed to be a Medical Assistant:
How many years of work experience do I need?
Similar Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Medical Assistant might also be interested in the following careers:
Those who work as a Medical Assistant sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
Image Credit: Ryan Conroy via Public domain
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