Most MAs will have regular interaction with EHR software and will need to learn the system their office uses. This blend of routine administrative and clinical duties helps keep everything running smoothly, a role highly valued by the office managers, physicians, nurses and other health practitioners in the clinic. A medical assistant working in a hospital will have many of the same duties—clerical work, EHR management and patient interaction are still key.
The specific duties assigned to medical assistants working in a hospital, however, are dependent on the needs of their unit. The balance between administrative and clinical work is still very evident. Medical assistants in a hospital handle callers and drop-ins, schedule procedures, coordinate billing, help with paperwork and more. The clinical side of the job can be both patient-based and laboratory-based.
While direct patient needs, such as administering medication or immunizations, are an important part of the job, medical assistants in hospitals may also spend time in the lab examining blood, urine and stool samples.
So, what does a medical assistant do? A lot! Medical assistants work to make life easier for both physicians and patients. Wherever you aim to work, a career as a medical assistant could be the perfect way to find steady employment in the healthcare industry without needing to commit to years and years of education first. In fact, a Medical Assisting Diploma can be completed in as few as 12 months. Information represents national, averaged data for the occupations listed and includes workers at all levels of education and experience.
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She earned her MFA in poetry and teaches as an adjunct English instructor. She loves to write, teach and talk about the power of effective communication. Posted in Health Sciences. Medical assistants usually work in medical facilities where LPNs and nursing assistants usually working in hospitals and nursing facilities.
Both LPNs and medical assistants work under a practicing doctor or nurse. Medical assistants may help administer medication and assist a doctor during an exam, which is like LPNs, but they have differing responsibilities. In some states, LPNs can insert catheters, administer intravenous drips and even assist in the delivery of an infant.
Medical assistants carry have a more administrative role especially as healthcare organizations adopt an electronic health record EHR. There is also a vast difference in educational requirements.
In order to become a nurse, you will have to not only complete a nursing program, but also sit for some form of the National Council Licensure Exam NCLEX either for practical nurses or for registered nurses RN in order to become a nurse. While a medical assistant can become a nurse with additional education and licensure, the medical assisting program at Herzing does not directly transfer into any nursing programs. There are also other requirements to become a medical assistant.
While it is not required, some medical assistants will choose to become certified in order to give themselves more competitive leverage in the job market. Herzing University will even pay for the first attempt for medical assisting graduates. Physician assistants work directly under a practicing physician although their specific duties can vary greatly according to practice, physician and state. One major difference between medical assistants and physician assistants is that physician assistants can examine, diagnose and treat patients sometimes in the absence of a physician.
While medical assistants can offer support, they do not act in the place of a physician. A nursing assistant plays a more direct role in patient care by providing basic care to patients usually in hospitals and long-term care facilities. They assist with dressing and grooming, deliver patient meals and sometimes help patients eat and drink.
While medical assistants will help with patient care, their role generally functions under a physician, such as sterilizing medical equipment and helping patients who come into a medical office.
Some nursing assistants may have to complete a CNA program approved by their state and complete a final certification exam before being registered to work in nursing homes and long-term care facilities.
In some states, passing this exam allows them to become certified nursing assistants CNAs but other states require additional education and licensure. You can become a medical assistant by choosing your degree, getting certified and gaining work experience. Some employers of medical assistants may require either a diploma in medical assisting or an associate degree in medical assisting. What does a medical assistant do? There are a few common working environments for medical assistants: Front office.
Tasks include answering the phone, scheduling appointments, informing the physician about patient concerns and greeting patients when they enter the office. Back office. This is a great opportunity to interact with patients. You may be responsible for drawing blood, pregnancy tests, drug screens or other in-house lab procedures.
Career pathways as a medical assistant Starting out as a medical assistant can be an excellent springboard into a variety of careers in healthcare. Medical assisting vs. Taking the first step Getting educated is the first step to become a medical assistant. Herzing University offers multiple medical assisting program options online: Online associate degree.
Earn your medical assisting associate degree in less than 2 years. Online diploma. Earn your medical assisting diploma in 1 year or less and get your career rolling fast. Learn more about our online medical assisting programs.
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