Tuesday, May 10, 2005

Medical Assistant: What is a Medical Assistant?

Medical Assistant
Online Medical Assistant Information
St. Augustine School of Medical Assistants:

Medical Assistant classes are now availabel online using distance education technology. Do to the development of the internet and new technologies distance education is quickly becoming the norm and not the exception. This trend in distance education has lead to the development of Medical Assistant distance education programs. The St. Augustine Medical Assistant program offers a new alternative educational experience for students interested in a Medical Assistant career.

What is a Medical Assistant? A Medical Assistant is a valuable member of the healthcare team. Medical Assistants perform daily administrative tasks as well as assisting in minor clinical procedures to keep doctor's offices, hospitals, clinics and other healthcare facilities running smoothly.

Medical Assistant Job Information:According to the United States Department of Labor the Medical Assistant is a high demand profession and is expected to be one of the fastest growing occupation in the United States over the next ten years. Similar growth is expected in Canada, Europe, Asia, India, Australia and most developed countries.

What Distance Education Programs are available for Medical Assistant Careers? Medical Assistant distance education is emerging to meet the demands of a new generation of students in the twenty first century. St. Augustine Medical Assistant School distance education program for medical assistant presents a good model for this integration of technology with medical assistant education. Distance education, particularly in its most recent form, online education, is being integrated into even the most cautious and conservative of educational institutions.Medical Assistant job out-look for the next ten years:Medical assistant jobs are projected to be one of the fastest growing occupation over the 2002-12 period, this according to the United States Department of Labor

The Duties of the Medical Assistant:The duties of medical assistants vary from office to office, depending on the location and size of the practice and the practitioner’s specialty. In small practices, medical assistants usually are “generalists,” handling both administrative and clinical duties and reporting directly to an office manager, physician, or other health practitioner. Those in large practices tend to specialize in a particular area, under the supervision of department administrators. Medical assistants perform many administrative duties, including answering telephones, greeting patients, updating and filing patients’ medical records, filling out insurance forms, handling correspondence, scheduling appointments, arranging for hospital admission and laboratory services, and handling billing and bookkeeping. Clinical duties vary according to State law and include taking medical histories and recording vital signs, explaining treatment procedures to patients, preparing patients for examination, and assisting the physician during the examination. Medical assistants collect and prepare laboratory specimens or perform basic laboratory tests on the premises, dispose of contaminated supplies, and sterilize medical instruments. Nature of Work for Medical Assistants:Medical assistants perform routine administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, and other health practitioners running smoothly. They should not be confused with physician assistants, who examine, diagnose, and treat patients under the direct supervision of a physician. The duties of medical assistants vary from office to office, depending on the location and size of the practice and the practitioner’s specialty. In small practices, medical assistants usually are “generalists,” handling both administrative and clinical duties and reporting directly to an office manager, physician, or other health practitioner. Those in large practices tend to specialize in a particular area, under the supervision of department administrators. Medical assistants perform many administrative duties, including answering telephones, greeting patients, updating and filing patients’ medical records, filling out insurance forms, handling correspondence, scheduling appointments, arranging for hospital admission and laboratory services, and handling billing and bookkeeping. Clinical duties vary according to State law and include taking medical histories and recording vital signs, explaining treatment procedures to patients, preparing patients for examination, and assisting the physician during the examination. Medical assistants collect and prepare laboratory specimens or perform basic laboratory tests on the premises, dispose of contaminated supplies, and sterilize medical instruments. They instruct patients about medications and special diets, prepare and administer medications as directed by a physician, authorize drug refills as directed, telephone prescriptions to a pharmacy, draw blood, prepare patients for x rays, take electrocardiograms, remove sutures, and change dressings. Medical assistants also may arrange examining-room instruments and equipment, purchase and maintain supplies and equipment, and keep waiting and examining rooms neat and clean. Assistants who specialize have additional duties. Podiatric medical assistants make castings of feet, expose and develop x rays, and assist podiatrists in surgery. Ophthalmic medical assistants help ophthalmologists provide eye care. They conduct diagnostic tests, measure and record vision, and test eye muscle function. They also show patients how to insert, remove, and care for contact lenses, and they apply eye dressings. Under the direction of the physician, ophthalmic medical assistants may administer eye medications. They also maintain optical and surgical instruments and may assist the ophthalmologist in surgery.

Medical Assistant Program Objectives: Program Objectives: To offer a Medical Assistant Program that is regularly assessed and updated in order to maintain technical standards and to meet the needs of students and the community. Provide a learning environment that uses innovative instructional methods, materials, and equipment. Alsom to provide the Medical Assistant student with opportunities to broaden their awareness and understanding of our diverse society and health care needs To develop and maintain educational partnerships with business, labor, and public sector agencies. Additional information about Medical Assistant careers and jobs can be obtained by contacting the offices of St. Augustine Medical Assistant School.

Medical Assistant classes now online from at: www.medassistant.org
We are dedicated to providing an accredited, affordable and accessible high quality Medical Assistant education to students through the use of innovative technology, such as our online Medical Assistant distance education program. Our innovative distance education program is an excellent way for today's busy student to earn their Medical Assistant certificate conveniently online. Our comprehensive web-based program delivers unparalleled convenience and flexibility to our students. Our commitment to educational excellence with unsurpassed student service has made as a leader in online Medical Assistant distance education. We hope you choose St. Augustine Medical Assistant School to begin a rewarding career as a Medical Assistant. If you have any questions please feel free to contact us.

St. Augsustine Medical Assistant School is accredited by the National Accreditation Board and the National Association of Healthcare Providers.


What is Distance Education (e-Learning)?
You might have never dreamt of the possibility of earning a health care carrer certificate without ever stepping into a campus and meeting the professors and classmates face-to-face. Now you can dream and can realize it at St. Augustine School of Medical Assitants online distance education program. The truth with our online education programs at www.MedicalAssistant.us is that you can earn a Medcial Assistant certificate from your home or office without going to a partiluar school residing in any part of the world.How Does Distance Education Work?All you need is a computer and an Internet service provider. You'll retrieve all assignments, questions and tests from your instructor then review them offline at the times and places most convenient to you. You'll also have access to online research libraries and services, as well as other successful professionals with whom you can share ideas, debate issues and learn from each others' experience. MedAssistant.org and our online Medical Assitant progams were created to emphasize the immediate application of all learning to the workplace, adding real-world value to our education.What are the Advantages for Students?The primary advantage of online education for a student is that it cuts the physical presence for the study program or course he/she chooses. You may not be able to travel to the college or institute due to certain circumstances such as domestic problems, responsibilities that demand greater attention, job, or staying in a remote place, but you have the zeal to continue your education. So, in such circumstances you can rely on online education. Physically handicapped students can best avail online study programs without troubling themselves across a physical campus. Online classes are significant for they are quite different from the traditional classes. In one way the online classes are more facilitative with the hottest and ongoing latest discussions that take place over a short period. One best psychological boost a student can gain through online education is he/she can shed off his shyness of being slow at learning; and also can equip himself/herself with knowledge almost practical, and more often above the regular students have. Online learning helps to increase the educational experiences irrespective of age and geographical diversity. Besides, it is often cheaper when compared to the cost a student spends on traveling, time of work, etc., to attend regular classes physically. You can study form leading scholars, researchers, and professionals from across the world and improve your ability practically, which most of the traditional classroom studies lack. Online study is very less time consuming and, therefore, a student can concentrate on his studies effectively when compared to hours of classroom studies. Online education is also a supplement to traditional education. If you are a traditional student or a scholar or a researcher you can continue your education at any stage of your life and augment your knowledge with the changing world.Distance Education is free from affecting your job or professional practice. On the other hand it saves you of traveling and attending a physical class, which will affect your earning. Wonderfully, you can apply the latest knowledge and skill you acquire through online education in your work environment and get most out of it unbelievably. Importantly, as online education requires a considerable knowledge of computers and Internet, this requirement helps you to expand and further your computer Internet skills, and eventually you can train yourself with extensive computer expertise. Moreover, traditional education is tied with old rules and old concepts for a long time. But online education relies on new hypothesis and new concepts and standardizes itself quickly with the speed of the changing and escalating system of education. In this manner, an online student dramatically is far above and advanced than a traditional student. Last but not the least, across the globe, lots of colleges, universities and institutes are offering the facility of online study. You can study the course residing anywhere in the world without loosing your earnings. Learn more about the St. Augustine School of Medical Assitants online program today and make your dream of obtaining a medical assistant certificate come true!