The demand for medical assistants keeps increasing in the health sector. Before enrolling in a medical assistant program, it’s up to you to decide whether you want to study part-time or full-time depending on your schedule. Although you can start working right after the course, getting certified will double your chances of being hired and having an impressive paycheck. Ensure that you choose an accredited college, school of healthcare or university and go for an internship program. Apart from working in hospitals or nursing homes, medical assistants can also work with chiropractors, optometrists, and podiatrists.
5 Essential traits of a medical assistant
Medical assistance is for those who are really passionate about the career. Chances are you already possess the innate skills and just need to develop them professionally. The program can be completed within a year. A great number of individuals use this opportunity to learn about other career paths and some may even specialize later on.
1. Sound communication skills
Medical assistants must interact with people from all walks of life. It’s imperative to remain attentive, be a good listener and understand the needs of each patient without being judgmental or biased.
2. Cleanliness
You are expected to maintain a clean and organized appearance at all times. Endeavor to take proper care of your clothes, shoes, fingernails, and hair.
3. Positivity
Having a positive attitude can boost the emotional state of patients, especially those that are battling with life-threatening illnesses. This will help to speed up the recovery process. Inasmuch as you want to make patients feel better, do it professionally without crossing the boundary.
4. Flexibility
Flexibility is one of the must-have traits of medical assistants. They can fit in perfectly into any department in a hospital. In view of this, you should have the ability to multi-task effectively.
5. Accuracy
There is zero tolerance for mistakes in this career. It involves the health of individuals and care must be taken as you keep medical records. This job is only for those with meticulous attention to detail.
Roles of a medical assistant
Their roles are quite similar to that of a nursing assistant. They usually undergo rigorous training in the administrative and clinical aspect. Health practitioners tend to appreciate their efforts as they ensure the smooth running of the hospital or clinic. This makes it possible for physicians to attend to more patients each day and boost their efficiency.
Administrative duties
- Scheduling and canceling appointments.
- Handling bookkeeping and billing.
- Welcoming patients.
- Making sure that the medical records of each patient are up to date.
- Ordering office and medical supplies.
- They help patients to complete different forms.
- Answering calls and emails.
Clinical duties
- Changing wound dressings as soon as the need arises.
- Taking vital signs of patients.
- Administering the right medication or immunization.
- Sterilizing laboratory tools and equipment.
- They can also examine stool, urine and blood samples in a laboratory if they have the expertise.
- Offering insights into special diets, general care, and medical procedures.
- Carrying out basic tests and examinations.
- Getting patients ready for examinations.
- Providing assistance to doctors during examinations.
