Medical Assistant's Work

Where There Are Doctors, There Are Their Medical Assistants

Of all medical assistants employed, an estimated 62 percent work in offices of general and family physicians, health maintenance organizations (HMOs), group practices, and specialty medical offices,  12 percent work in public and private hospitals, including inpatient and outpatient facilities, 11 percent work in offices of other health practitioners, such as chiropractors, optometrists and podiatrists, 10 percent work in educational institutions (schools, colleges), and 5 percent in corrections. Very few work in nursing homes and residential care facilities. 

 REMEMBER THIS: 

An increasing number of doctors who hire prefer trained medical assistants with experience, because they recognize and appreciate the benefits and advantages it brings to the table.

Most medical assistant job advertisements read:

• Must have gone through an approved medical assistant program
• Must have x months/years job related experience
• with strong documentation skills and focus on accuracy
• excellent rapport with patients and staff
• self-motivated and willing to take on responsibilities
• correctly mix medications for injections
• accurately identify syringe calibrations
• identify injection sites using anatomical landmarks
• identify and use basic medical equipment
• greet patients in a friendly, professional manner
• work with a variety of personalities in the medical office
• manage multiple tasks effectively and in a timely manner
• master the required computer skills
• use medical terminology and abbreviations
• schedule practices/referrals for physician offices
• do in-office quick lab testing
• possess a clear understanding of OSHA and HIPAA regulations
• Certified medical assistants only 

Medical assistants may advance to other occupations through experience or additional training. For example, some may go on to teach medical assisting at vocational training institutions and colleges while others pursue additional education to become nurses or patient advocates. Administrative medical assistants may advance to office manager and qualify for a variety of administrative support occupations, or hospital administrators.