Medical Assistant Jobs are So Hot Right Now!

Medical assistant jobs are projected to grow at a continuous rate in the United States over the course of the next decade. People considering a career as a medical assistant may have many questions, such as: what are the concrete duties of a medical assistant? what is the average salary? what training and certification does one need to procure a position as a medical assistant? The following information will provide the answers to these questions, as well as tips on how to find medical assistant jobs and which employment services have listings that can be used as resources.

Part of the reason why the medical assistant field is expanding is that such assistants perform some of the duties of registered nurses, and can be used to supplement a staff that is facing a R.N. shortage. These duties include many of the hands-on tasks involved in the practice of medicine, including weighing patients, compiling medical histories, measuring blood pressure, giving injections, and explicating health and treatment information for patients. Medical assistant jobs are not just limited to basic medical techniques; they also include administrative and secretarial tasks, such as scheduling appointments, completing paperwork for insurance companies, and organizing many of the tasks that need to be completed for an office to run smoothly. Thus, the duties performed by a medical assistant range from those of a nurse to a receptionist, and are especially appealing for people who are multi-talented and pride themselves on their people skills. It is important to keep in mind that medical assistants cannot take on the work of nurse practitioners and physicians, so they are not capable of diagnosing illnesses and prescribing medication.

While many of the organizational and communicative skills can be acquired through previous office experience, the medical aspect of the position does require specialized expertise and knowledge. Because many employers look for experience when hiring, people who are entering the job market for the first time or are dealing with a particularly competitive area should complete training and certification. As with any job, the pay scale for medical assistants is highly influenced by the amount of education and experience a potential employee brings to the table.

The amount of education typical to qualify for a medical assistant position is two years at a community/junior college, or completion of a 9-12 month medical assistant program. People who are already working in the field and have five or more years of experience can take the American Medical Technologists registered medical assistant certification exam, which will attest to their level of knowledge and skill on the job.

While the salary for a medical assistant job depends on the applicant's specific duties, previous experience, and the city/region in which they work, the national median is approximately $30,000. To get a better picture of the range for people in your region and your level of experience, the website payscale.com is extremely helpful.

Jobs for medical assistants are posted on a variety of sites, including monster.com, indeed.com, and simplyhired.com. To give your application the extra edge, look for sample resumes of medical assistants online or enlist the services of a resume consultant to create the optimal presentation of your past experiences and future potential.