• Work in physicians’ offices, hospital inpatient and outpatient facilities, nursing homes, offices of other health practitioners and other health care facilities.
• Duties vary greatly from office to office; usually include administrative duties, such as
  - Answer telephones
  - Greet patients
  - Update and file medical records
  - Fill out insurance forms
  - Handle correspondence
  - Schedule appointments, hospital admissions and laboratory services
  - Billing and bookkeeping
• Clinical duties vary according to State law, but may include
  - Taking medical histories and recording vital signs
  - Explaining treatment procedures, medication and special diets to patients
  - Preparing patients for examination
  - Collecting and preparing laboratory specimens or performing basic laboratory tests on the premises
  - Disposing of contaminated supplies
  - Sterilizing medical instruments
  - Preparing and administering medications, as directed by physician.

Education/Training

• Recommended high school courses: math, health, biology, typing, bookkeeping, computers, office skills.  Although formal training is usually preferred, some medical assistants are trained on the job, although this is less common today.
• Formal programs in medical assisting are available in vocational-technical schools, postsecondary vocational schools, community and junior colleges, and in colleges and universities.
• Postsecondary programs last either one year, resulting in a certificate or diploma, or two years, resulting in an associate degree.
• Courses cover anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, typing, transcription, record keeping, accounting, insurance processing, laboratory techniques, clinical and diagnostic procedures, pharmaceutical principles, medication administration, first aid, office practices, patient relations, medical law and ethics.
• Accredited programs include an internship in physicians’ offices, hospitals or other health care facilities.
• Certification is available through national examinations:  The American Association of Medical Assistants awards the Certified Medical Assistant credential; American Medical Technologists awards the Registered Medical Assistant credential; the American Society of Podiatric Medical Assistants awards the Podiatric Medical Assistant Certified credential; and the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology awards three credentials – Certified Ophthalmic Assistant, Certified Ophthalmic Technician and Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist.

Salary

• Ranges from $21,500 to $29,400.

   

   

More Information

• American Association of Medical Assistants
  20 North Wacker Drive
  Suite 1575
  Chicago, IL 60606
  http://www.aama-ntl.org
  

• Registered Medical Assistants of American Medical Technologists
  710 Higgins Road
  Park Ridge, IL 60068-5765
  http://www.amtl.com