How much do medical assistants make? What does their day look like? Is being a medical assistant the right decision? These are questions that strike your mind when you decide to be a part of the healthcare industry.
If you are someone who wants to become a medical assistant, then you must be curious to know about this job. Well, you will all agree to the fact that the healthcare industry still needs to get on board skilled healthcare professionals. They should be people who leave no stone unturned to serve the patients with utmost care and love. This is where medical assistants serve as the key players.
If you are someone who appreciates helping people, pursuing a career as a medical assistant is your safest bet. The roles and responsibilities of a medical assistant will bring a number of opportunities. These opportunities are not only exciting but will keep you productive. You will get a lot to learn about the medical industry while you work as a medical assistant.
What is a medical assistant?
Medical assistants are professionals who do not conduct any type of diagnostic services. These are services that are performed by physicians and their assistants. Now, coming to what a medical assistant does, these are experts who work with physicians to make sure that the patient receives the utmost treatment and care. In addition to this, a medical assistant also makes sure that everything in the medical setting is running smoothly.
Basically, the main responsibility of a medical assistant is to offer the best patient service. From keeping a record of patient history to measuring imperative signs, entering all the details into the electronic machines, and everything else, a medical assistant has too much on the plate.
If you want to pursue a career in the healthcare industry and are curious to know about the earnings of medical assistants, this article will answer your question. Nevertheless, before that, you should know that a medical assistant is someone who has all the knowledge and experience in the healthcare industry. He/she should not only have great communication skills but should also be professional.
What does a medical assistant do?
What are the responsibilities of a medical assistant? Are they an integral part of the healthcare industry? A number of questions might cross your mind when you decide to become a medical assistant. So let us answer all of them for you. There is a lot a medical assistant has to do. We have mentioned all of them below. Keep reading.
Build a good relationship with the patient
In order to become a successful and reliable medical assistant, it is very important to build a good relationship with the patient. There is no denying that a medical assistant has to be a good listener. This helps the doctor to treat the patient in the right manner. Apart from this, the patient is extremely comfortable and knows that he/she is in the hands of the professionals especially when they are suffering from a severe disease.
The relationship that is built with the patient can work wonders for the physician and the medical assistant. Therefore, if you want to become one, make sure you are all ears to the patient.
Maintain medical records
Another responsibility of a medical assistant is to keep a record of the patient’s medical information. As a medical assistant, you have to keep a record of information like the patient’s weight, blood pressure, height, and so much more. These records make it easy for the physician to take the treatment further. The net salary of
Preparing the exam room
The third responsibility of a medical assistant is to make sure that the examination room is set up completely. Once everything is done, the patient can enter the room and the tests can take place. It is the responsibility of a medical assistant to make sure that the examination room has all the necessary equipment. In addition to this, the medical assistant should also keep the patient file ready just in case the physician needs it.
It is the valuable skills of medical assistants that help them get a handsome amount of salary into their pockets.
Skills a medical assistant should have
Being a medical assistant is not an easy task. One needs to undergo training, and should also have the necessary skills. However, if you are friendly, a good listener, and organized, you already have some of the best skills to become a medical assistant. But what other important ones do you need? Keep reading to find out the skills a medical assistant should possess.
Technical skills
- A medical assistant should know how to look after the patient.
- A medical assistant should be able to schedule checkups in the right manner.
- Vital measurement is also something a medical assistant should be handling.
- Giving medicines and injections is something a medical assistant should know.
- If you are someone who knows everything about cardiopulmonary resuscitation, being a medical assistant is a great decision.
- A medical assistant should be able to give great patient service.
Transferable skills
- A medical assistant should be a good communicator.
- Telephone etiquette is an imperative requirement for a medical assistant.
- Another essential requirement for a medical assistant is teamwork.
What training does a medical assistant need?
What training do they undergo? We have got you covered for such questions. Basically, a number of states do have different criteria for a medical assistant. Nevertheless, some of them usually hire people who have completed a postsecondary program, says the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
If you are someone who wants to become a medical assistant, earning a medical assisting diploma can work wonders for you. The degree takes about a year to be completed. All the students are not only trained in the right manner but are also taught the basic etiquette to become one. Apart from this degree, a CMA (Certified Medical Assistant) credential will also help. One can get it from the Registered Medical Assistant credential or from the American Association of Medical Assistants.
Basically, once your studies are completed and you also have the essential certificates, becoming a medical assistant is not a difficult task. You will find numerous jobs. And as a medical assistant, you can get a handsome amount of money into your pocket.
Where do Medical Assistants work?
Where do medical assistants work? How is the working environment? These are some questions that might often leave you wondering. Well, basically what happens is a medical assistant gets to learn about how to perform their tasks in the right manner for both administrative and clinical sides. However, some of them may only work on an administrative side while others may work on a clinical side. But there are also medical assistants who work on both sides.
The kind of healthcare setting you work in will help you understand your roles and responsibilities. Mentioned below is where exactly a medical assistant works.
The office of the physician
- A medical assistant will maintain a record of the history of the patient.
- He/she will also be responsible to update all the medical information of the patient.
- It is the responsibility of the medical assistant to speak to the patient about his/her medical tests.
- A reliable and experienced medical assistant will make sure that the patient is ready for the tests.
- Helping the physician will be the job of a medical assistant.
- Taking specimens for lab testing is something a medical assistant has to do.
Hospital
- If you are a medical assistant who is working in a hospital, it is your responsibility to schedule appointments for the patients.
- Keeping medical records of patients is another imperative responsibility of a medical assistant.
- Helping the doctor with everything is something a medical assistant will be doing.
- Ensuring that patients are comfortable is the major role of a medical assistant.
- Giving all the updates about the patient to the doctor is again the role of a medical assistant.
Outpatient
- A medical assistant should know everything about bookkeeping.
- A medical assistant should have the ability to deal with insurance companies.
- Welcoming a patient in the best possible way is a medical assistant’s duty.
- Booking appointments for the patients is done by a medical assistant.
Career Outlook
According to the BLS projects, there has been a growth of 19% for medical assistants till the year 2029. A number of opportunities are waiting for them. This is because there has been a demand for healthcare assistants and medical assistants will be helpful for the doctors here. Therefore, if you are wondering about the amount of money medical assistants make, know that the career is a great one. In addition to this, the salary is also decent and it keeps rising with time.
A medical assistant will make it easy for the doctor to conduct the services without worrying about anything. In addition to this, there will be no inconvenience faced by a patient. Therefore, if you are someone who wants to become a part of the healthcare industry, being a medical assistant is your best bet. Don’t start your career by wondering about the salary. If you perform your duties in the right manner, your career growth will be great in the coming future.
Salary
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, a medical assistant makes less than $26,930. If you are someone who wants to become a medical assistant, do not worry about the salary. Keep working and your hard work will surely pay off. Make sure you search for reliable jobs and pick one that is best suitable for you.
There are ample amount of job opportunities for medical assistants. All you have to do is perform some homework and land a job that is suited for you. Once you get started with the job, there is no looking back. The future has so much for you and all you have to do is work dedicatedly. With that said, let us now understand how to become a medical assistant.
Process to Become a Medical Assistant
Being a medical assistant can be rewarding for anyone who wants to be a part of the healthcare industry. If you are someone who is interested in this job, make sure to learn the steps that should be taken to become a successful one. This is important because you can never pursue a career without having an understanding of it. Below mentioned are the steps that should be followed to become a medical assistant.
Get a diploma
Becoming a medical assistant will be easy if you have a diploma. The minimum requirement to become a medical assistant is to have a diploma. If you already have one, no one can stop you from starting your career in the healthcare field. Nonetheless, if you do not have a diploma, make sure to acquire one.
Work on your skills
In order to become a medical assistant, having the imperative skills that will make you stand away from others is essential. Therefore, make sure you have them. Skills like being a good communicator, listener, teamwork, etc, will help you make use of the opportunities that come your way. If you possess these skills, there is no doubt that you will be an asset to the healthcare setting.
Make sure to use a computer/laptop
Being a medical assistant means you have to work on the laptop/PC every now and then. Therefore, if you are someone who does not know how to use one, now is the time when you should start learning. If you keep up with the latest technology and know how to use a laptop/computer, your salary will be increased for sure. Technology skills are an essential factor that is considered when determining the net salary of medical assistants.
Complete an internship or externship
Before working as a medical assistant full time, make sure you opt for internships or externships. This is a record of you having experience and skills to work as a medical assistant. In addition to this, your internships and externships make it easy to land a suitable job in the healthcare industry. In addition to this, it also helps you earn a decent salary just at the start of your career.
Get Certified
Even though having a certificate is not necessary, some states give priority to those who are certified. Being certified will also lead you to a higher income in case you are curious to know about their earnings. Some of the common medical assistant certifications are Certified Medical Assistant certification which is offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants.
There are a number of certifications available for a medical assistant. Make sure to verify the same with the school/college you have selected.
Apply for both big and small jobs
If you want to become a medical assistant, make sure you keep looking for jobs. Do not stop yourself from taking a job that is small. You have to start with a job if you want to reach heights whether it is in the healthcare industry or something else. However, you should choose one wisely. Once you have landed a suitable job, make sure you find everything about it. There are medical settings that make false promises to the staff members and end up disappointing them in the end. Stay away from such medical settings and always go for those that are licensed and certified.
Prepare for interviews
Becoming a medical assistant is not a simple task. Nonetheless, if you are prepared in the best manner, nothing can stop you. Therefore, make sure that you prepare yourself for the interviews. Go through various videos that can be found on YouTube. In addition to this, you can also use Google to search for questions that are asked.
These are some of the steps you ought to follow in order to become a successful medical assistant. If you take everything seriously and work hard, becoming a medical assistant won’t be difficult at all. You just need to have a clear understanding of the career and what it takes to be a medical assistant. One thing is sure this career will lead you to the pillars of success and it will fill your pockets with a huge salary.
Is becoming a medical assistant the right decision?
If you are a people person, becoming a medical assistant is surely your cup of tea. A medical assistant works with the patients closely. They not only act as healthcare professionals but also as a friend. Therefore, if you wish to make a difference in someone’s life, becoming a medical assistant is your best bet.
Being a medical assistant not only gives you immense opportunities but you also get to learn a lot about the healthcare industry. This is an industry that allows you to learn so much about the human body. Not only do you work with the patient but also learn about topics that might be new to you. Even though there are a number of designations in the healthcare industry, being a medical assistant is one that will give you money and a reputation for sure.
Like other medical jobs, the income of a medical assistant increases as a professional gains experience and learns new skills.
Become a medical assistant today!
Now that you know the earnings of medical assistants and how to become one, it is time you start today. Prepare yourself in the best possible way and then starting your career won’t be difficult. Go through study books and research papers. They will be helpful for you to learn about what exactly a medical assistant does.
You can also go through YouTube to see what exactly a medical assistant does on an everyday basis. Being a part of the healthcare industry is not an easy task. There is a lot you should know because this is an industry that cannot be taken for granted. Working for the patients in the right manner is a medical assistant’s job. If something goes wrong, the patient can be at risk. Henceforth, make sure to learn everything about the career before getting started. Once you know the ins and outs of becoming a medical assistant, there is no looking back.
The Final Words
We hope this article has helped you gather information about the salary medical assistants get. In addition to this, we have also shed light on who exactly a medical assistant is, what skills are needed to become one, and everything else in between. With that said, let us know in the comments section if you liked the article.
