A Career As An Administrative Medical Assistant

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Why choose the medical assisting field? The medical assisting field has several different branches to satisfy different preferences and skill levels. You will have different tasks depending on which type of medical assistant you choose to be. This gives you the chance to assess yourself and figure out what skills you already possess, and also what skills you may need to work on to be the best medical assistant you can be. The medical assisting field has three main branches. This consists of Clinical Medical Assistant (or CMA), Administrative Medical Assistant (or AMA), and Specialized Medical Assistant (or SMA). Each branch has their own set of tasks, and each one important to the medical field. Choosing the right branch for you will …show more content…

Other tasks may include maintaining the front desk and waiting areas, and performing general accounting, bookkeeping, and billing tasks. A major duty of an Administrative Medical Assistant is to keep the physician’s office running as smoothly as possible. Specialized Medical Assistant’s primary focus is on performing specialized clinical tasks.This allows them to work more closely with the physician, and serve the patients more directly. Specialized Medical Assistant’s report directly to the physician or the administrative manager. Specific tasks depend on the size, specialization, and number of assistants on staff. What other tasks, or jobs, might any medical assistant need to know how to do? Being a medical assistant involves being able to perform both clerical and clinical tasks. Clerical jobs include typing and answering phones, and clinical includes more jobs like a nurse. Medical Assistants (MAs) help physicians by taking vital signs, interviewing patients, ordering supplies, and keeping records. They also may authorize drug refills as directed by a physician and telephone prescriptions to the pharmacy. They may also perform lab tests and first aid procedures. The work of a medical assistant varies from place …show more content…

A medical assistant needs to have a variety of character traits. Traits such as patience, and a great sense of humor. Communication skills are also a must to be able to listen and respond to everyone. Also, a medical assistant needs to be flexible. They are normally always busy, and your days are not always 9-5 work days. Some require late nights, holiday hours, and weekends. Medical assistants deal with the public, therefore, they must be neat and well groomed and have a courteous, pleasant demeanor. Medical assistants must also be able to put patients at ease and explain physicians’ instructions. They must realize the patient may have just received bad news. Basically, you must have a real desire to help people. What are some of the training or qualifications that one might need in order to become a medical assistant? Some of the training and qualifications may include a high school diploma, or an equivalent. Most employers prefer graduates of formal programs such as those offered by vocational and technical high schools, postsecondary vocational schools, and community or junior colleges. Some employers require experienced workers or certified applicants who have passed a national examination indicating that the medical assistant meets certain standards of