Monday, December 17, 2007

A career as a medical Assistant

A Career as a 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 do many different kinds of tasks, 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 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 and job details of medical assistants vary according to what is allowed by State law. Some common tasks include taking medical histories and recording vital signs, explaining treatment procedures to patients, preparing patients for examinations, and assisting physicians during examinations. Medical assistants collect and prepare laboratory specimens and sometimes perform basic laboratory tests on the premises, dispose of contaminated supplies, and sterilize medical instruments. They might 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 usually perform administrative tasks such as update and file patient medical records, fill out insurance forms, and arrange for hospital admissions and laboratory services. They also perform tasks less specific to medical settings, such as answering telephones, greeting patients, handling correspondence, scheduling appointments, and handling billing and bookkeeping. A medical assistant also may arrange examining room instruments and equipment, purchase and maintain supplies and equipment, and keep waiting and examining rooms neat and clean.According to the United States Department of Labor, employment for this filed is projected to grow much faster than average, ranking medical assistants among the fastest growing occupations over the 2006-16 decade. Job opportunities should be excellent, particularly for those with formal training or experience.In most cases a medical assistant is a none licensed health care professional and they are trained in a variety of way. Many receive informal on the job type of training while others learn the basics of a medical practice and patient care in a more formal setting such . Formal training for medical assistants may occur at a local junior college, vocational school, high school technical classes, local hospital or online distance education programs.

Friday, December 07, 2007

Online Medical Assistant Schools

St. Augustine School of Medical Assistants
Online Medical Assistant Schools
Medical assistants perform administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, and other health practitioners running smoothly. 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 do many different kinds of tasks, 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.According to the United States Department of Labor, employment for medical assistants is projected to grow much faster than average, ranking medical assistants among the fastest growing occupations over the 2006-16 decade. Job opportunities should be excellent, particularly for those with formal training.The earnings of medical assistants vary, depending on their experience, skill level, and location. Median annual earnings of medical assistants were $24,610 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $20,650 and $28,930. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $18,010, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $34,650.Medical assisting programs are offered in vocational or technical high schools, junior colleges and online distance education programs. St. Augustine Medical Assistant School provides a good model of a distance education program for medical assistants, program details can be viewed at www.medassistant.org. Read the entire article at: St. Augustine School of Medical Assistants article on online medical assistant learning.

St. Augustine Medical Assistant School offers online classes in: Introduction to becoming a Medical Assistant, Medical Terminology, Human Body Planes, Basic Human Anatomy and Physiology, Medical Office Professionalism, Patient Communication, Medical Records, Basic Medical Law, Scheduling Appointments, Medical Billing and Insurance Claims, Infection Control, Surgical Instruments, Emergency Care, Clinical Equipment, Patient History and Physicals, EKG and Lab Testing, Specimen Collection and Lab Safety, Introduction to Patient Medications.The sheer number of distance learning and online degrees available is enormous and is growing daily. Similarly the number of schools and institutions that offer learning online is also expanding rapidly. Distance education programs are often very flexible and allow students to study online at their own pace and convenience, this makes becoming a well trained medical assistant easier now then ever. Online learning as also made medical assistant education more accessible to students who otherwise could not attend older rigid classroom based program. Distance education is an excellent and very affordable way for students to study for a rewarding career as a medical assistant. Medical assistants perform administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, and other health practitioners running smoothly. 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 do many different kinds of tasks, 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.According to the United States Department of Labor, employment for medical assistants is projected to grow much faster than average, ranking medical assistants among the fastest growing occupations over the 2006-16 decade. Job opportunities should be excellent, particularly for those with formal training.The earnings of medical assistants vary, depending on their experience, skill level, and location. Median annual earnings of medical assistants were $24,610 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $20,650 and $28,930. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $18,010, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $34,650.Medical assisting programs are offered in vocational or technical high schools, junior colleges and online distance education programs. St. Augustine Medical Assistant School provides a good model of a distance education program for medical assistants, program details can be viewed at www.medassistant.org.

Sunday, December 02, 2007

St. Augustine School of Medical Assistants

medical assistant student review:

Health Care Course
by Elliot
The Philippines has experienced a drastic demand increase for hospital workers, nurses and medical assistants in particular. As a corollary, the country has witnessed the growth of medical schools that offer both real classroom and online learning environments. And as some people find it difficult to attend classes in the conventional sense of the word, they enroll in distance education programs. The Department of Education gives accreditation to
medical assistant schools, pharmacy technician programs, dental assistant program, nursing assistant program, and other health-related programs so students enrolled in this kind of learning will be assured of employment opportunities. St. Augustine School of Medical Assistants is an accredited, convenient, and top notch medical assistant school that offers a comprehensive curriculum for their students. Students could get medical assistant certificates in just 6 to 8 weeks. If you are in need of a swift career change, or if you think that there is a good chance to give in to the market pressure (medical assistant jobs are in demand in Canada, New Zealand, and other countries with graying population), then enrolling in this home-based program could be for you. You could still continue working while enrolled, and best of all, you can study at the comfort of your own home.
Posted by Elliot at
1:20 AM