Are you considering a career in the Medical field? Have you considered a career as an Allied Health Professional, such as a Medical Assistant? If you are passionate about helping people, then a career as a Medical Assistant might be a good fit for you. At NCE, we help people like you train for successful new careers. We can help you become a certified Medical Assistant!
Medical Assistants are the health professionals who keep the healthcare system running smoothly. Responsible for both administrative and clinical tasks, the Medical Assistant’s job is challenging, but also highly rewarding. Here is a look at some of the typical duties of a Medical Assistant:
Administrative duties include:
- Greeting patients
- Answering telephones
- Handling correspondence
- Scheduling appointments
- Arranging for hospital admission and laboratory services
- Updating and filing patients’ medical records
- Filling out insurance forms
- Handling billing and bookkeeping
Clinical tasks include:
- Measuring patients’ vital signs
- Administering medications and injections
- Recording information in medical recordkeeping systems
- Preparing and handling medical instruments and supplies
- Preparing and cleaning exam rooms
- Collecting and preparing specimens of bodily fluids and tissues for laboratory testing
- Assisting the doctor as needed
Another important role of the Medical Assistant is to act as a liason, or coordinator, between the medical staff and the patient. It is often the Medical Assistant who explains to the patient any upcoming procedure, answers patient’s questions about medical procedures, and relates information both to and from the attending doctor. For this reason, good communication and interpersonal skills are absolutely vital for a Medical Assistant. Medical Assistants should also be very organized, have the ability to multitask, and be able to work both independently and as part of a team.
Medical Assistants are in high demand in today’s economy. Due to a rapidly aging population, increasing life expectancies, and more people than ever before with health insurance, the Healthcare industry is booming. Medical Assistants are valuable members of the healthcare profession, working with and alongside doctors to treat and take care of patients in need. According to the United States Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS 2018), employment for Medical Assistants is projected to grow an astonishing 29 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth will add about 184,000 new jobs to the U.S. economy. And Medical Assistants can work anywhere in the country, as healthcare services are in demand across big cities and small towns alike. With growth like this, it’s easy to see why choosing to be a Medical Assistant is a smart bet for a secure future!
If you think you may be interested in becoming a Medical Assistant, the first step is to attend a training program from an accredited institution. At NCE, we are accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training (ACCET), and our program prepares graduates to test for the industry-recognized Medical Assistant National Certification by the NCCT. Plus, NCE’s program provides hands-on training, so students practice real life situations, such as learning to perform basic laboratory procedures and assisting physicians in medical office examinations. NCE’s program also prepares students to work in the front office of a medical office, performing administrative duties such as bookkeeping, record management, appointment scheduling, insurance, and medical practice management.
To find out more about NCE and the Medical Assisting program, contact us today! Our friendly and helpful Admissions Representatives are always available to you to discuss career options, financial aid programs, schedule a tour of our Citrus Heights campus, or assist you in the enrollment process. Don’t put your future on hold any longer, call NCE today!