Medical Assistant
Duties and responsibilities:
Administrative
duties include: answering telephones, greeting patients, updating and filing
patients' medical records, filling out insurance forms, handling
correspondence, scheduling appointments, arranging for hospital admission and
laboratory services, and handling billing and bookkeeping.
Medical
assistants collect and prepare laboratory specimens or perform basic laboratory
tests on the premises, dispose of contaminated supplies, and sterilize medical
instruments. They also arrange examining-room instruments and equipment,
purchase and maintain supplies and equipment, and keep waiting and examining
rooms neat and clean. Medical assistants should not be confused with physician
assistants, who examine, diagnose, and treat patients under the direct
supervision of a physician.
Salary: $43,000
Education:
While it is
possible to start a career in medical assisting with on the job training, most
employers prefer a formal education or training program. These programs are
available from some vocational high schools, vocational schools, and in
colleges and universities. Typical medical assistant training programs lead to
a degree or certificate, and last one or two years, respectively.
Reflection:
I think I do
want to be a medical assistant because I like working with medicine and it also
sounds interesting. I also think they get paid alright.