MEDICAL ASSISTANTS CAREER CHOICE

BARBARA BENGE, CMA (AAMA) DIRECTOR/INSTRUCTOR/PRACTICUM COORDINATOR OF THE MEDICAL ASSISTANT PROGRAM AT CLARK COLLEGE. MEDICAL ASSISTANT AT URGENT CARE NW. ASTORIA, OREGON. MY CONTACT INFORMATION: SHL 114

ROLE OF A MEDICAL ASSISTANT MEDICAL ASSISTANTS (MA) ARE HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS WHO HAVE BEEN SPECIFICALLY TRAINED TO WORK IN SETTINGS SUCH AS PHYSICIANS’ OFFICES, MEDICAL CLINICS, MEDICAL GROUP PRACTICES, AND OTHER HEALTH CARE FACILITIES. MEDICAL ASSISTANTS ARE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN TRAINED TO PERFORM ADMINISTRATIVE AND CLINICALLY-RELATED PROCEDURES UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS.

MEDICAL ASSISTANTS ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES: USING COMPUTER APPLICATIONS ANSWERING TELEPHONES GREETING PATIENTS UPDATING AND FILING PATIENT MEDICAL RECORDS CODING AND FILLING OUT INSURANCE FORMS SCHEDULING APPOINTMENTS ARRANGING FOR HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS AND LABORATORY SERVICES HANDLING CORRESPONDENCE, BILLING, AND BOOKKEEPING

MEDICAL ASSISTANTS CLINICAL DUTIES TAKING MEDICAL HISTORY EXPLAINING TREATMENT PROCEDURES TO PATIENTS PREPARING PATIENTS FOR EXAMINATION ASSISTING THE PHYSICIAN DURING EXAMS COLLECTING AND PREPARING LABORATORY SPECIMENS PERFORMING BASIC LABORATORY TESTS INSTRUCTING PATIENTS ABOUT MEDICATION AND SPECIAL DIETS PREPARING AND ADMINISTERING MEDICATIONS AS DIRECTED BY A PHYSICIAN AUTHORIZING PRESCRIPTION REFILLS AS DIRECTED BY A DIRECTED DRAWING BLOOD TAKING ELECTROCARDIOGRAMS REMOVING SUTURES AND CHANGING DRESSINGS/

PATIENT LIAISON MEDICAL ASSISTANTS ARE INSTRUMENTAL IN HELPING PATIENTS FEEL AT EASE IN THE PHYSICIAN’S OFFICE AND OFTEN EXPLAIN THE PHYSICIAN’S INSTRUCTIONS IN A WAY THAT IS EASIER FOR THE PATIENTS CAN UNDERSTAND. MOST PATIENTS FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE WITH THE MEDICAL ASSISTANTS THAN WITH ANY OTHER HEALTHCARE PERSONAL.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS TO BE A MEDICAL ASSISTANT HAVE COMPLETED A CP, AAT, OR AAS IN MEDICAL ASSISTING FROM AN ACCREDITED COLLEGE. FOR A CP AT CLARK COLLEGE STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE SUCCESSFULLY 85 CREDITS. FOR A AAT DEGREE CLARK COLLEGE STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE SUCCESSFULLY 92 CREDITS.

MEDICAL ASSISTANT EARNINGS THE AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY FOR A MEDICAL ASSISTANT WAS $31,220, ACCORDING TO MAY 2014 U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS DATA. IN PHYSICIANS’ OFFICES, THE LARGEST EMPLOYMENT SECTOR, THE AVERAGE WAS $31,230 PER YEAR. IN GENERAL MEDICAL AND SURGICAL HOSPITALS, THE AVERAGE WAS $32,910 YEARLY. HOWEVER, THE TOP 10% OF EARNERS MADE $42,760 OR MORE PER YEAR.

CERTIFICATION REQUIRED FOR WASHINGTON STATE THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (DOH) HAD NEW STATUES AND RULES WHICH INTO EFFECT JULY 1, 2013 WHICH ESTABLISH CREDENTIALS OF MEDICAL ASSISTANTS IN WASHINGTON STATE. THE LAWS CREATED FOUR CATEGORIES: MA-CERTIFIED (MA-C) MA-REGISTERED (MA-R) MA-PHLEBOTOMIST (MA-P) MA-HEMODIALYSIS TECHNICIAN (MA-HT)

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF MEDICAL ASSISTANTS (AAMA) AAMA REQUIRES A CP, AAT, OR AAS TO BE OBTAINED BY AN ACCREDITED COLLEGE. THEY DO THIS BECAUSE THEY SET THE STANDARDS FOR THE ACCREDITED SCHOOL TO ENSURE THAT THE GRADUATES ARE SPECIALIST IN THEIR FILED. ONCE A STUDENTS GRADUATES FROM AN ACCREDITED COLLEGE, THEY ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE AND SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THE CMA EXAM THROUGH AAMA TO BE CONSIDERED A CERTIFIED MEDICAL ASSISTANT THROUGH AAMA. IF YOU WANT MORE INFORMATION PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GO TO