what is a medical assistant?
A medical assistant is one of the most valuable employees at any healthcare facility. While doctors see patients and write prescriptions, medical assistants are the ones who keep the clinic running. As the American Association of Medical Assistants explains, being a medical assistant means that you handle all sorts of necessary operational details. Your job includes everything from taking patients' vital signs to scheduling appointments. This interesting job includes a blend of office duties and working with patients. You get to understand exactly how a healthcare facility functions and directly help those in need.
medical assistant vs. physician's assistant
Keep in mind that these two jobs are very different. Though they sound similar, a physician's assistant job is closer to the role of a nurse or doctor. The physician's assistant job requires a license and allows you to treat and diagnose patients. Meanwhile, if you're a medical assistant, you get to learn on the job and don't need the same kind of degree. Being a medical assistant also means you help with record keeping and conveying patient concerns to their doctor.
Would working as a medical assistant suit your interest in medicine and personal interactions? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a medical assistant role.
view jobs near youaverage medical assistant salary
Since it involves some specialized knowledge, being a medical assistant lets you earn a little more than a generic office assistant does. The average wage for a medical assistant is $37,190 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). However, there is quite a bit of variation in salary due to skill, experience, and regional cost of living rates. Salaries can range from $29,070 to as much as $48,170.
factors that impact pay
If you want a medical assistant job that pays on the higher end of the spectrum, it's important to choose your job carefully. On average, medical assistants make more when they live in big cities or work in areas with a high demand for healthcare. Certain types of healthcare facilities also tend to pay more. Those working in hospitals or outpatient care centers get a higher salary than those working in private clinics. If you select a job that includes opportunities to work evenings, weekends, or holidays, you can earn even more with overtime pay.
Would you like to know what a medical assistant earns? Where the highest salaries are paid for a medical assistant? Then check out this salary comparison tool and find out all about the salary of a medical assistant in the USA.
types of medical assistant
This field is very broad, so some medical assistants choose to focus on a certain area. Common types of medical assistant jobs for you to consider include:
- clinical medical assistant: These assistants spend most of their day interacting with clients. You'll do things like update records, take vital signs, and help with procedures.
- administrative medical assistant: This type of assistant mostly deals with paperwork and office care. Your job includes tasks such as filing records, scheduling appointments, dealing with customer service, and answering telephones.
- specialized medical assistant: Some assistants specialize in a certain field like geriatrics, cardiology, gynecology, or pediatrics. You'll do typical medical assistant tasks but also need specialized knowledge in subjects like managing Medicare documents or calming upset children.
working as a medical assistant
Working as a medical assistant is typically an engaging job with a variety of interesting tasks. Here's what you can expect when working as a medical assistant.
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medical assistant job description
What does a medical assistant do each day? Your responsibilities vary quite a bit depending on what's happening in your clinic and who you're working with at the time. Since your task is to assist with running a healthcare clinic, you end up doing a variety of jobs. Typical job duties for a medical assistant include:
- customer service: Often, medical assistants are responsible for things like answering phones and greeting patients. You also schedule patients for visits and help them arrange future appointments. You'll need to be friendly, welcoming, and professional.
- billing and bookkeeping: You handle a variety of tasks like billing patients and tracking office expenses. Typically this is done alongside a professional accountant or billing department, but you handle details like individual receipts for co-pays.
- patient records: You keep extensive notes for the healthcare clinic. This can involve making notes during patient visits, coding insurance forms, and entering data into files.
- patient checkups: Medical assistants do a lot of basic preliminary tasks before patients see the doctor. They check blood pressure, weight, and temperature, and they might collect lab samples or perform other basic tests.
- exam assistance: If a medical exam requires two people, the medical assistant may help the doctor. You might also stay in the room to comfort or distract a nervous patient.
- patient care: Medical assistants are often the ones who help patients with their treatments. Depending on the state where you work and certifications you have, you might remove stitches, change bandages, or inject vaccines. Your job can also include discussing doctor instructions and dispensing medications.
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medical assistant work environment
The majority of medical assistants work in a healthcare facility. You can choose from a variety of settings ranging from small doctor's offices to big hospital departments. Being a medical assistant requires you to be comfortable in clinical settings that potentially have strict rules about sanitation and exposure to bodily fluids. This job is almost entirely an in-person job. However, if the job involves extensive amounts of bookkeeping or data entry, there's a chance you will be allowed to work from home occasionally.
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who are your colleagues?
Many medical assistants spend most of their day working alongside fellow assistants who have very similar tasks. Furthermore, your colleagues will typically include a variety of doctors and nurses. Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, you might also be working in close proximity to HR managers, office administrators, and accountants. Some other specialists that you work with could include, but not be limited to, surgical techs, physical therapists, and pharmacists.
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work schedule
Your work schedule greatly depends on where you choose to work. Many doctor's offices are only open during weekdays. The typical schedule for a medical assistant at a private practice is from around 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. However, urgent care clinics and hospitals are open around the clock. If desired, you can work an unconventional shift at one of these facilities. There is a lot of demand for medical assistants who will work nights, weekends, and even holidays.
There is also a lot of flexibility in the number of hours you work. For many people, being a medical assistant is a full-time job where you work around 40 hours a week. Plenty of part-time jobs are also available if that's what you prefer.
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job outlook for medical assistant
If you want a job that's highly in demand, being a medical assistant is an excellent option. BLS data estimates that the number of medical assistants will grow by 16% in just 10 years. This growth rate is almost three times the average job growth rate, and it's even higher than other healthcare support jobs. The growth rate for medical assistants is particularly robust because the aging Baby Boomer population is going to require more healthcare in the near future.
In addition to having plenty of jobs for you to choose from in the future, this field also offers a lot of career growth. Because it helps you understand how a healthcare facility works, it prepares you for a future in the industry. Many medical assistants go on to become nurses, home health aides, or pharmacy technicians.
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benefits of working for randstad as a medical assistant
Working through Randstad offers you a range of benefits:
- being paid weekly
- flexibility
- always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help from
- many training opportunities
- a range of jobs in your area
Want a permanent contract? But you wonder why it would be interesting for you to work with a staffing company? A temporary job as a medical assistant is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
medical assistant skills and education
If you want to become a medical assistant, the path is relatively straightforward. First, you'll need to have a high school diploma or GED. For some jobs, this level of education alone is enough to get you the position. You can learn most of the skills on the job, and most states do not have any formal licensing requirements.
However, you'll find it easier to get a job if you do take the time to pursue a little more education. Unlike nurses, medical assistants don't need years of college. However, having an associate's degree can be helpful. Some states and certain employers will also require you to have a certification. You get certified to become a medical assistant by taking some classes and passing an exam. Most medical assistant certifications require knowledge of things like anatomy, medical terminology, and medical ethics.
To access the highest-paying jobs, it is a good idea to get formal training as a medical assistant. Some colleges and universities offer degrees for medical assistants, and you can also take courses at community colleges and vocational schools. These programs often allow you to graduate with both a degree and a medical assistant certification.
skills and competencies
Successful medical assistants work hard to make sure they excel at these skills:
- organization: Being able to handle large amounts of information in a clear and logical manner is very valuable. For best results, you should be comfortable dealing with organizing paperwork, office supplies, and even your own time.
- administration: As a medical assistant, you're in charge of making the workplace function smoothly. Administrative skills like being able to answer phones and schedule appointments are quite useful.
- communication: According to Allied Health, communication is the main skill all medical assistants need. You'll benefit from being able to pass on complex medical information in an accurate and easy-to-understand manner. It's also important to be able to speak professionally to a broad range of coworkers and patients.
- medical knowledge: You don't need to know how to perform surgery, but you do need to understand basic terminology and anatomy.
- technical skills: If you're a clinical medical assistant, you'll do things like draw blood or change bandages. Therefore, you'll need to know about some basic medical treatment procedures.
FAQs about working as a medical assistant
Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about medical assistants.
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what are the best medical assistant specialties?
If your priority is a high-paying job, consider being a medical assistant at a podiatry, fertility, cardiology, or ophthalmology clinic. Meanwhile, those who want an in-demand specialty should check out the field of insurance documentation.
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can medical assistants start an IV?
In most clinics, medical assistants are not qualified to perform IV treatments. IVs are technically an invasive procedure that should be done by a nurse. As a medical assistant, you can only do simpler things like blood draws under the direction of a physician.
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what certification do you need to become a medical assistant?
Depending on the location you live in and the job you want, there are several certifications to choose from. Some popular options are a certified medical assistant (CMA) certification, a certified clinical medical assistant (CCMA) certification, or a registered medical assistant (RMA) certification.
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can medical assistants become nurses?
Yes, being a medical assistant is a great way to start your path toward becoming a nurse. A lot of the skills you learn as a clinical medical assistant prepare you to work with patients as a nurse. Many people work as medical assistants during nursing school, so they can earn money and gain experience.
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is being a medical assistant a good job?
Being a medical assistant is a fantastic job. According to the U.S. News and World Report, being a medical assistant is the ninth-best job that doesn't require a college degree. It's low-stress, isn't physically demanding, and pays a decent amount. It also has plenty of excellent advancement opportunities and gives you a chance to learn valuable skills.
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how do I find a job as a medical assistant?
Applying for a medical assistant job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our financial analyst jobs for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV. If you do not have a resume, no worries. Just check out our resume builder. This state of the art tool will help you to create your own resume. Need help with your application? Check out all our job-hunting tips!
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