filling out insurance forms, handling correspondence,
scheduling appointments, arranging for hospital admission and laboratory
services, and handling billing and bookkeeping. In addition many areas
of the United States now allow Medical Assistant to perform minor clinical
duties. According the US Department of Labor these clinical tasks may
include taking medical histories and recording vital signs, explaining
treatment procedures to patients, preparing patients for examination,
and assisting the physician during the examination. Medical Assistants
may also collect and prepare laboratory specimens or perform basic laboratory
tests on the premises, dispose of contaminated supplies, and sterilize
medical instruments. They often instruct patients about medications and
special diets, prepare and administer medications as directed by a physician,
authorize drug refills as directed,
telephone prescriptions to a pharmacy, draw blood,
prepare patients for x rays, take electrocardiograms, remove sutures,
and change dressings.Also according the United States Department of Labor
“employment of medical assistants is expected to grow much faster
then average for all occupations through the year 2014 as the health care
industry expands because of technological advances in medicine and the
growth and aging of the population. Increasing utilization of medical
assistants in the rapidly growing health care industry will further stimulate
job growth. In fact, medical assistants is projected to be one of the
fastest growing occupations over the 2004–14 period… and job
prospects should be best for medical assistants with formal training or
experience”.The United States spends about 11 percent of its gross
national product, over $500 billion, each year on health care.
While much of this money goes to develop new procedures
and advanced equipment, we spend most in the areas of treatment and prevention.
Our system requires highly trained workers. Almost 7 million people work
in the health care field. Economists expect long-term job growth in this
industry to be higher than average, however some medical careers will
grow much faster than others. In addition, certain market trends, including
a decrease in primary care physicians and cost control in the health care
industry, are making allied healthcare jobs an excellent field to enter.
If you have good communications skills and are often appreciated for your
caring manner, then you might be well suited for a career as a Medical
Assisting. There are many excellent resources on the internet regarding
the nature of medical assisting including career and training opportune.
St. Augustine Medial Assistant School now provides new students with an
excellent introductory program offered online at: www.medassistant.org
Dr. Mark Stout Dean of Distance Education St. Augustine Medical Assistant
School http://www.medassistant.org
