Objectives
Medical Assistants' job duties typically include both clinical and administrative tasks. While clinical duties vary according to state law, medical assistants generally write medical histories, record vital signs, prepare patients for examinations or lab tests, and assist physicians with examinations. They also perform basic tests on the premises, including drawing blood, administering injections, removing sutures, and changing dressings using infection control and universal precautions. On the administrative side, Medical Assistants typically update and file patient records, handle insurance forms, schedule appointments, arrange for hospital admissions and lab services, and assist with billing. A Heald degree can help you qualify for positions ranging from Clinical Medical Assistant and Lab Assistant to Patient Services Representative.
Course description
Medical Assistants provide care and comfort to people with healthcare needs. They're good at multi-tasking and work well as a part of a team.
If the following qualities describe you, Medical Assisting might be a good career choice:
* Caring and compassionate
* Able to juggle multiple responsibilities
* Good communicator
* Analytical
* Detail oriented
* Comfortable working closely with others
* Enjoy being challenged
What will I do with my education?
Graduates of Heald's Medical Assisting program pursue rewarding careers in a variety of settings - including family and internal medicine clinics, hospitals, pain centers - and a wide array of specialty areas - including out-patient surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, cosmetic surgery, chiropractic, optometry, podiatry practices, and more.
What's the job outlook?
The demand for healthcare professionals is at an all-time high. As our population rises and technology advances, the need for high quality services becomes increasingly great. Medical assisting jobs are an instrumental part of this expansion. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical assistants is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2012.
