Career Advice
(featured column)
Jobs
in Demand - Medical Assistants
by
CareerBuilder.com
The Fastest-Growing Occupation
For fast-growing careers, healthcare is where it's at. According to the Bureau
of Labor Statistics (BLS), medical assistant will be the fastest-growing
occupation through 2012. Here's a look at this hot job from the BLS's
Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Overview
Medical assistants keep the offices of physicians, podiatrists and other health
practitioners running smoothly by performing routine clinical and administrative
tasks. In small practices, assistants rotate between administrative and clinical
work, but assistants in larger clinics have more specialized duties.
Assistants' general administrative duties include greeting patients, answering
phones, updating and filing patients' medical records, filling out insurance
forms and handling billing. Clinical duties vary according to state law, but
generally include recording vital signs, preparing patients for examinations and
assisting the physician during examinations.
Education and Training
Applicants for medical assistant positions usually need a high school diploma or
equivalent, though most employers prefer graduates of formal programs in medical
assisting. These programs are offered through community and junior colleges,
postsecondary vocational schools and vocational-technical high schools.
Medical assistants are not licensed, but some states require them to take a test
or course before they can perform certain clinical tasks like taking X-rays.
Employers prefer applicants who have passed a national examination.
Because they deal with the public, medical assistants should look neat and have
a pleasant disposition.
Opportunities
Nearly 60 percent of medical assistants worked in physicians' offices. Around 14
percent served in hospitals and almost 10 percent worked in other health
practitioners' offices.
Assistants can also specialize and perform additional duties. For example,
podiatric medical assistants make castings of feet, expose and develop X-rays
and assist with foot surgery. Ophthalmic medical assistants help provide eye
care.
Pros and Cons of Medical Assistant Jobs
Full- and part-time medical assistant positions are available, and most offices
are clean and well-lit. This job is good for those who enjoy interacting with
other people. However, applicants must be able to handle multiple
responsibilities at once, especially in smaller offices.
Salary
Median annual earnings of medical assistants were $23,940 in 2002. Those who
worked in general medical and surgical hospitals brought home the highest wages.
Job Outlook
According to the BLS, job prospects are excellent for medical assistants through
2012. Technological advances in medicine and a growing and aging population will
bring more patients in to clinics and hospitals, spurring the need for
additional support personnel.
Source: BLS September 2004, Reprinted with Permission.
* * *
Editor's Note: It is my
opinion that job prospects in the medical field will always be excellent, making
it a wonderful career choice for those that would enjoy it!
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