Medical Assistants: Medical assistants perform a wide variety of clinical, administrative, and human relations functions, which keep physicians' offices, clinics, and other medical practices running smoothly.This program is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, patient care procedures, pharmacology, medical office procedures, communication skills, as well as computer skills.
Clinical duties performed by medical assistants can include:
Taking medical histories and recording vital signs
Explaining treatment procedures to patients
Preparing patients for examination
Assisting the physician during the examination
Sterilizing medical instruments
Collecting and preparing laboratory specimens
Instructing patients about medications and special diets
Preparing and administering medications as directed by a physician
Authorizing drug refills as directed
Phlebotomy
Administering EKG's
Removing sutures
Changing dressings
How Does Medical Assistant School Work Online?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. St. Augustine Medical Assistant School and our online Medical Assistant programs were created to emphasize the immediate application of all learning to the workplace, adding real-world value to our education.
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 of a medical assistant 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.
The Jobs Outlook for Medical Assistants:According to the United States Department of Labor, Most medical assistants work in offices of physicians. Employment for medical assistants is projected to grow much faster than average, ranking medical assistant among the fastest growing occupations over the 2006-16 decade. Job prospects should be excellent! Medical assistants held about 417,000 jobs in 2006. About 62 percent worked in offices of physicians; 12 percent worked in public and private hospitals, including inpatient and outpatient facilities; and 11 percent worked in offices of other health practitioners, such as chiropractors, optometrists, and podiatrists. Most of the remainder worked in other health care industries such as outpatient care centers and nursing and residential care facilities. Job seekers who want to work as a medical assistant should find excellent job prospects. Medical Assistants are projected to account for a very large number of new jobs, and many other opportunities will come from the need to replace workers leaving the occupation. Those with formal training or experience should have the best job opportunities.
