Do you enjoy doing clerical work and have an interest in the medical field?
If so, you may be interested in becoming a medical assistant, which is the
fastest growing career for those who do not have a college degree.
Description
Medical assistants take care of general clerical duties in all types of
medical offices. In some cases, medical assistants may also perform simple
clinical duties such as taking vitals and preparing lab tests under the
supervision of an expert in the office. They also work with patients by teaching
them about their medications, and specialized diets. In general, medical
assistants may be called on to do any task needed within a medical practice.
Setting and Conditions
Medical assistants work indoors in a medical building. They generally work a
traditional Monday through Friday forty-hour week, although some practices are
open evenings or weekends. They work with many people at a time and the job can
be stressful, as they must manage many responsibilities at a time.
Training and Qualifications
Employers of medical assistants tend to prefer applicants who have completed
a vocational education program in medical assisting. These certificate programs
usually last one or two years and are offered at many community colleges or
vocational-technical schools. Training in certain tasks, like taking x-rays,
may also be required.
Applicants in this field must be neatly groomed, friendly and courteous.
They must also be able to handle confidential information and be able to work
well with patients. If they are going to perform clinical duties, they must
also have some manual coordination.