The Medical Assistant

There are over 819,000 physicians and surgeons in private and group practices, walk-in clinics, alternative health care centers, chiropractor's offices and all sorts of ambulatory emergency and medical care facilities in need of medical assisting staff in the USA. Jobs are posted on well known job sites on the Internet and newspaper wanted ads where vacancies open and close daily. Even hospitals and wellness clinics from coast to coast have a need for well trained medical assistants and are ready to hire them.

Where so many qualified medical assistants are graduating from formal training programs, only to find themselves competing with their peers for available medical assistant jobs, obtaining medical assistant certification can make a world of a difference. In these days and time being a certified professional takes on a whole new meaning. Job offer upon job offer posted on well known job sites, such as Monster.com and Indeed.com facilities are seeking a medical assistant that is either experienced and registered, or certified. Below are examples of currently open medical assistant positions that need to be filled:

• Mount Carmel: Current national certification in Medical Assisting or an associate's degree in Medical Assisting strongly preferred.
  
• Miles City Clinic: Certified or Registered Medical Assistant preferred. Six months experience as a Medical Assistant preferred.
  
• Hawaii Pacific Health: Certified Medical Assistant through the AAMA. Six months medical assistant experience
  
• Excela Health: Current Registration or Certification (CMA) to practice as a medical assistant in the state of Pennsylvania
  
• Sutter Health: National or CA certification (AAMA, AMT, CCBMA) required at time of hire or must be obtained within 6 months of hire as a condition of employment.
  
• Brattleboro Memorial Hospital: Medical Assistant certification is strongly preferred.
  
• John C. Lincoln Health Network: Successful passing of a medical assistant examination administered by either the American Association of Medical Assistants or the American Medical Technologists, or 1-2 years Medical Assistant experience.

Most of today's vocational training institutions and community colleges gear their programs toward their  preferred certification organization with which they have partnered or forged an agreement. It is strongly advised that you discuss your goals during the admissions process and ask specifically which certifications and credentials you will qualify for, and earn upon graduation.

Where Do Medical Assistants Work?

Medical assistants are typically employed in doctor's offices, group practices, clinics, and health and medical centers of all sizes, including those which are affiliated with regional and local hospitals. Doctors value the services medical assistants add to their office. Their problem-solving and decision-making ability lets them focus directly on their patient's medical needs and health concerns without having to worry about daily medical office operational and administrative tasks. Doctors prefer medical assistants who are:

• Active listeners — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times
• Effective communicators — Talking to others to convey information effectively
• Socially aware "people persons" — Being aware of others reactions and understanding why they react
• Service providers — Actively looking for ways to satisfy and help people
• Good monitors — Monitoring other individuals, or processes to make improvements or take corrective action

The medical assistant's focus lies on optimizing patient flow, scheduling appointments, verifying patient's health insurance benefits and referrals and maintaining accounting and banking records. The same medical assistant is also trained to remove sutures, change dressings and collect laboratory specimens. Despite of these high expectations, time pressures and demanding work load most medical assistants enjoy what they do, finding their jobs intellectually stimulating, meaningful and rewarding.

Can Medical Assistants Work in Hospitals?

The answer is yes. According to the American Hospital Association there are 5,795 hospitals registered in the United States. Many of these hospitals also operate urban and rural ambulatory outpatient care centers and clinics where physicians and their medical assistant staff is employed.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 13 percent of medical assistants in the USA work in public and private hospitals, including inpatient and outpatient facilities. Others work in such facilities as outpatient care and nursing and residential care centers, however, unlike nurses, medical assistants DO NOT perform beside care, health assessments, or independently triage patient. Medical assistants typically handle medical office clerical and administrative routines, provide patient education, administer medications and assist in health and medical procedures under the direct supervision of a doctor.

Medical assistant's pay is influenced by the type of education and vocational training, experience and professional credentials as well as location and the type of medical practice and special technical and clinical skills required. Another important factor is how well individuals present themselves during the interview and their ability to negotiate during the hiring process. All this can make a big difference in the medical assistant's pay and benefits.