How Much Do Medical Assistants Make?

Medical Assistant Job Description

So, what do medical assistants do? Medical assistants carry out a wide range of administrative duties in the offices of physicians, chiropractors, podiatrists and other health practitioners.

Some of their key duties include:

• Measuring and recording patient’s vital signs.
• Taking, recording, and updating patient medical history.
• Scheduling appointments for patients.
• Taking and preparing samples for laboratory testing.
• Administer injections.

Throughout a medical assistants career they will see and experience a wide range of medical issues. There is a need to always be learning and updating their knowledge. So a progressive and adaptive attitude is a desirable asset.

They are responsible for taking and maintaining confidential patient information. Under a medical code of practice they must share and discuss patient data with other medical personnel only.

In hospitals or larger practices, medical assistants can sometimes specialize in one area of practice. Like just administrative work, or clinical work. This is due to the volume of patients, making it financially beneficial to have different assistants to cover different areas of work.

Here are several different areas of expertise medical assistant’s work with:

Administrative medical assistants – Typically fill out insurance forms and handle patients’ medical records. They will take telephone calls, answering administrative questions and scheduling appointments. Some assistants are responsible for maintaining medical supplies and equipment.

Clinical medical assistants – Typically carry out a range of different duties, often depending on the organization or state they are working in. They may be involved in laboratory testing, handling samples, and maintaining medical tools and equipment.

Ophthalmic medical assistants – Typically work with ophthalmologists. Providing care and advice to patients with eye problems. They show patients how to correctly and safely wear contact lenses, as well as advising on proper eye care.

Podiatric medical assistants – Typically work with podiatrists, also known as foot doctors. They roles include making casting of patients’ feet. Taking and developing x rays, and aiding podiatrists with surgical procedures.

Medical Assistants Career Outlook

The job outlook for medical assistants is very positive. There is an expected growth of 29% until 2026. This is much faster than the average for all occupations.

Some of the main factors that contribute to this outlook include the baby-boom population, the ever aging population, and the increase in availability of health care for people.

These are all factors that lead to more demand for health care. Therefore there is a growing number of medical practices, and a need for more medical assistants. The healthcare sector is always growing, something that gives a great deal of job security to medical assistants.

Additional demand is also expected due to a lot of medical assistants changing tasks and working closer with larger medical teams. Along with the roll out of more technological systems in health care practices.

Assistants are responsible for maintain records and using the IT systems. Further strengthening their position within the clinics, hospitals, and medical offices.