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Medical Assistant Schools
Posted by sweet_angel
I have been thinking of taking an online medical assistant course for quite sometime now. Even though it's hard to find a job these days, I have read that healthcare professionals are still in demand, regardless of the world's economic situation. Just from my curiosity, I went online and started searching for medical assistant schools. I found out that St. Augustine School of Medical Assistants provides a convenient and affordable online medical assistant program to train medical assistants to function effectively as an integral members of today's health care professionals. If you are like me, someone who wants to be a medical assistant, St. Augustine School of Medical Assistants is the best suited school for your needs.The thing that I like best about St. Augustine School of Medical Assistants is that they offer enrolment, classes, and online exams which I think I would very much prefer when I make up my mind.
Do you want to be a Medical Assistant? Are you looking for Medical Assistant Schools but just don't know where to look for one or just can't find one? Interested in online studying?Well here's the perfect school for the aspiring Medical Assistant! St. Augustine School of Medical Assistants. This is an accredited, convenient and affordable online distance education program. You can now study online to earn an accredited Medical Assistant certificate in just 6-8 weeks!You can now become a Medical Assistant Online with their nationally accredited & certified Medical Assistant program. And you know that this kind of profession can be very rewarding.Medical Assistant Program:* Accredited, affordable and accessible certificate program for Medical Assistants* Become a Medical Assistant in 6-8 weeks* Take Medical Assistant program classes online anytime at your convenience* The best online Medical Assistant certificate program designed by expert health care professionalsAnd they are more affordable than any other Medical Assistant schools! All you have to do is to check it out in Google and see for yourself! So what are you waiting for? Check this out now and see for yourself!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. (Physician assistants are discussed elsewhere in the Handbook.)
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 who perform administrative tasks have many duties. They update and file patients’ 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.
For clinical medical assistants, duties 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 may arrange examining room instruments and equipment, purchase and maintain supplies and equipment, and keep waiting and examining rooms neat and clean.
Ophthalmic medical assistants, optometric assistants, and podiatric medical assistants are examples of specialized assistants who have additional duties. 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. Optometric assistants also help provide eye care, working with optometrists. They provide chair-side assistance, instruct patients about contact lens use and care, conduct preliminary tests on patients, and otherwise provide assistance while working directly with an optometrist. Podiatric medical assistants make castings of feet, expose and develop x rays, and assist podiatrists in surgery.
Work environment. Medical assistants work in well-lighted, clean environments. They constantly interact with other people and may have to handle several responsibilities at once. Most full-time medical assistants work a regular 40-hour week. However, many medical assistants work part time, evenings, or weekends. Education and training. Postsecondary medical assisting programs are offered in vocational-technical high schools, postsecondary vocational schools, and community and junior colleges. Programs usually last either 1 year and result in a certificate or diploma, or 2 years and result in an associate degree. Courses cover anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology, as well as typing, transcription, recordkeeping, accounting, and insurance processing. Students learn laboratory techniques, clinical and diagnostic procedures, pharmaceutical principles, the administration of medications, and first aid. They study office practices, patient relations, medical law, and ethics. There are various organizations that accredit medical assisting programs. Accredited programs often include an internship that provides practical experience in physicians’ offices, hospitals, or other health care facilities.
Formal training in medical assisting, while generally preferred, is not always required. Some medical assistants are trained on the job, although this practice is less common than in the past. Applicants usually need a high school diploma or the equivalent. Recommended high school courses include mathematics, health, biology, typing, bookkeeping, computers, and office skills. Volunteer experience in the health care field also is helpful. Medical assistants who are trained on the job usually spend their first few months attending training sessions and working closely with more experienced workers.
Some States allow medical assistants to perform more advanced procedures, such as giving injections, after passing a test or taking a course. medical assistant pay is the earnings of medical assistants vary, depending on their experience, skill level, and location. Median annual earnings of wage-and-salary medical assistants were $26,290 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $21,970 and $31,210. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $18,860, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $36,840.
