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Medical assistants perform administrative and clinical duties for physicians,
podiatrists, ophthalmologists, and chiropractors. Administrative duties include
answering telephones, scheduling appointments, maintaining patient records, greeting
patients, handling insurance forms, arranging hospital services, managing the
finances, billing of patients, and managing supplies. Clinical duties vary
according to the field an individual works in but may include taking patient histories,
recording vital signs such as temperature and pulse rate, preparing patients for
examinations and x-rays, collecting and processing lab specimens, drawing blood,
applying dressings, removing sutures, preparing and administering medications,
calling in prescriptions to pharmacies, etc. State law may also regulate what
clinical duties medical assistants may or may not do under the supervision of a
physician.
Individuals may specialize in certain areas of medical assisting. For example,
ophthalmic medical assistants specialize in the area of eye care. They may do such
things as administering vision measurement tests, changing eye dressings, educating
patients on the use of contact lenses, etc.
Medical assistants are employed in offices and clinics of physicians,
ophthalmologists, chiropractors, and podiatrists. They may also work in
hospitals and in other healthcare settings.
In terms of education, an individual must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
An individual can become a medical assistant through on-the-job training. However
most employers prefer to hire individuals who have graduated from an accredited
medical assisting educational program. Certificate, diploma, and associate degree
programs are available throughout the United States. The following agencies
accredit medical assisting programs:
After the education process is complete, individuals have an optional choice of
becoming certified. (Certification is required in a few states.) Even though
certification is optional, most employers prefer individuals who are certified.
The following agencies administer certification examinations:
To learn more about medical assisting as a career, please visit the
American Association of
Medical Assistants. Please use the links provided below to learn more about
some of the educational programs pertaining to this field.
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