Generally, medical assistants are in high demand, and the number of jobs in this field will grow significantly over the next ten years.
Medical assistants, who work within various fields of medicine, are responsible for numerous tasks. Because of this, the medical assistant profession has separated into distinct specializations: clinical medical assistants and medical administrative assistants.
It is crucial for anyone considering a career in this profession to understand what to expect, including the day-to-day tasks, potential salary, and other factors.
In general, clinical medical assistants work in a clinical environment and provide direct help to physicians and other healthcare professionals to treat and care for patients in the facility. Ultimately, the specific responsibilities of a clinical medical assistant will depend on the place of employment, an individual’s qualifications and abilities, and several other factors. An individual in this type of position may perform any of the following duties:
Working in clinical medical assisting demands a degree of compassion and interpersonal skills.
Medical administrative assistants spend their time in the front end of a clinic or other healthcare facility. While medical administrative assistants may assist patients, physicians, and other staff members, they do so through a more administrative route. For example, some of the day-to-day tasks include the following:
In some cases, a medical administrative assistant may also aid doctors in the treatment room; this may be the case in smaller facilities where only one additional employee is necessary. However, in many cases, the medical administrative assistant will not be required to perform hands-on treatment for patients and remain at the front of the office.