Are you intrigued by the idea of working in the medical field—but don’t necessarily want to commit to the many years of schooling required to be a doctor or nurse? If so, a career as a medical assistant may be right for you. Medical assistants not only play a crucial role in daily healthcare operations and direct patient care but also enter the workforce swiftly with the comprehensive training provided in our program, which doesn’t require a formal degree.
In fact, by following the right diploma program, you could be working as a medical assistant in less than a year.
So, what exactly does work as a medical assistant entail—and what types of skills will you need to succeed in this role? Read on to learn more about this rewarding career path.
The Role of a Medical Assistant
A medical assistant is a healthcare worker who handles both administrative and clinical tasks within a medical office. These professionals have received specific training in medical assistant programs, entering the field with the credentials required to work directly with patients and make a difference in their care.
Core Responsibilities and Daily Tasks in Medical Assistant Jobs
Typically, medical assistants are able to perform basic clinical tasks, which may range from checking a patient’s vital signs to assisting a doctor or nurse during a medical exam or other simple procedure. In some cases, medical assistants may be permitted to administer injections or medications as directed by a physician, though this can vary from one state to the next. Medical assistants may also collect and prepare samples for laboratory testing.
On the administrative side, medical assistants may schedule and make changes to appointments. In addition, they may help to maintain medical records by entering vital signs, test results, and other information into a database. In some offices, medical assistants may be responsible for taking inventory of basic medical and office supplies.
Work Environment and Conditions of Medical Assistant Careers
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), most medical assistants work full time, with 56% of them being directly employed by physicians’ offices. Some assistants may work in hospitals, outpatient care centers, or even government healthcare facilities.
Many medical assistants spend a large portion of their days on their feet; this is especially true of those who perform various clinical tasks that involve moving in between exam rooms and other areas of the facility. Some who play more of an administrative role may spend a larger portion of their day sitting in front of a computer, but this can vary greatly from one medical assistant job to the next.
Essential Skills for Medical Assistants
In order to thrive in medical assistant jobs, these professionals must possess a number of skills. This includes both clinical skills and administrative proficiencies—most of which can be learned in a medical assistant diploma program.
Clinical Skills and Procedures
While the exact clinical tasks that a medical assistant can perform vary depending on the specific state, some of the more common clinical skills a medical assistant should have when entering the field include:
- Ability to take and record vital signs
- CPR and other life-saving skills
- Administering injections
- Proper dosing and administering of medication
- Ability to read patient charts and medical history
- General medical knowledge
Administrative Duties and Office Management
Administrative work is another important side of a medical assistant career. In many ways, medical assistants take on the everyday office tasks that keep a healthcare facility running as smoothly as possible. Examples of common administrative duties a medical assistant performs include:
- Scheduling patient appointments
- Updating and maintaining medical records
- Checking in patients as they arrive for appointments
- Answering phone calls and emails
- Helping patients understand their insurance coverage
- Processing insurance claims
Medical assistants need strong office management skills in order to carry out these tasks efficiently. Effective communication, organization, time management, and problem-solving skills are also valuable in this dynamic role.
The Path to Becoming a Medical Assistant
If working as a medical assistant sounds like something you’d enjoy, you might wonder how to go about entering this field. The good news? Many aspiring medical assistants may be able to meet all of their educational and training requirements in as little as one to two years.
Educational Requirements and Training Programs
Generally, some kind of postsecondary diploma or certificate is needed to work as a medical assistant. However, laws regarding this vary from state to state, so it’s essential to research the specific requirements in your state so you can plan accordingly.
Most diploma programs for medical assisting are designed to be completed in as little as one year, assuming that the student is enrolled full time. These programs cover courses on relevant medical topics, ranging from basic medical terminology and anatomy to pharmacology and more. In certain cases, a diploma program may also include some kind of hands-on clinical experience in a supervised setting.
Certification and Licensure Explained
Although not required in every state, many medical assistants choose to get licensed or certified through a state licensing agency or other organization (such as the National Center for Competency Testing or the National Certified Medical Assistant). Obtaining this certification can help set you apart in the field, especially since some employers may prefer to hire certified and/or licensed professionals.
The process of getting licensed or certified can vary depending on the specific state or program you are following. In most cases, however, it requires that you pass an exam. Likewise, licenses and certifications need to be renewed every so often (usually every few years) by paying a renewal fee and providing proof of continuing education or professional development.
Medical Assistant Career Opportunities and Advancement
Entering the realm of medical assisting can also open doors to all kinds of opportunities for advancement and specialization within the broader medical field. This can be an ideal way to really sharpen your skills and focus on an area of healthcare that is most interesting to you.
Specialization Areas Within Medical Assisting
Some medical assistants specialize in a certain area of medicine, such as dermatology, family medicine, or oncology. They may work specifically in these related medical offices and perform different tasks related to patient care. For example, a medical assistant in a dermatology clinic may be responsible for taking notes while a doctor performs a skin exam on a patient.
Transitioning to Other Healthcare Roles
Additionally, it is not uncommon for medical assisting to be a starting point in a person’s career before they move on to other healthcare roles later. Some medical assistants, for instance, choose to return to college to complete a higher degree like an associate degree program in nursing. Some may even choose to pursue their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and proceed to become registered nurses (RNs).
For those aiming to take on more of an administrative leadership or management role, pursuing a bachelors or master’s degree in Allied Health or healthcare administration can be an excellent path that could lead to opportunities in medical office management, medical records management, and more.
Workplace Challenges and How to Overcome Them
Though the work of a medical assistant can be highly rewarding for those who want to play a direct role in the operations of a medical facility, as with every profession, medical assistants still face certain challenges.
Common Issues Faced by Medical Assistants
For starters, medical assistants often work long hours on their feet, which can be both physically and mentally exhausting for those who aren’t accustomed to it. Being overworked in conjunction with dealing with the occasional difficult patient can pose a serious threat of burnout in this role.
Another challenge many medical assistants face is that of juggling multiple tasks and responsibilities at once. On a busy day in the medical office, these professionals may need to bounce between answering phone calls and popping into exam rooms to perform clinical tasks as patients arrive. With this in mind, medical assistants should have strong time management skills.
Strategies for Stress Management and Professional Growth
If you’re considering seeking out this type of work, there are steps you can take to manage the stress of medical assistant jobs—even on the busiest of days. Many medical assistants find success in avoiding burnout on the job by prioritizing self-care during their time off while also establishing realistic and healthy boundaries in their professional lives. This, in conjunction with actually using time off when it’s available, can make all the difference in your level of job and career satisfaction.
Meanwhile, medical assistants can achieve professional growth by taking advantage of development, education, and training opportunities as they arise. From attending a Basic Life Support (BLS) certification class to volunteering for additional training at the office, building your skills and designations can help you advance your career substantially.
Learn More in a Medical Assistant Diploma Program
A medical assistant career can be an excellent path for those who enjoy making a difference in the lives of patients while playing a central role in the day-to-day operations at a medical facility. Plus, depending on the areas of healthcare that most interest you, you could even pursue some specializations or additional education to take your career to the next level.
Ready to get started on the path to becoming a medical assistant? At Florida Technical College, our medical assistant technician diploma program can be completed in as little as nine months, offering students learning experiences both in the classroom and during a supervised clinical experience or capstone. Get in touch for further information about this diploma program, or get started with your online application today!
These examples are intended to serve only as a general guide of possible employment opportunities. There are many factors that determine the job an individual may obtain and Florida Technical College cannot guarantee its graduates any particular job. Some positions may require a license or other certifications. We encourage you to research the requirements for the particular position you desire.
