Medical Assistant Degree

Medical office assistants utilize secretarial skills inside medical offices, where they deal with patients, as well as within back offices dealing with records. Studies focus on medical terminology, body systems, medical office procedures, and medical specialties that are used in a health care facility or medical office. Medical assistants continue to be in high demand throughout the nation, due to their versatility in doctors� offices and clinics, as well as in nursing homes, hospitals, and home health care settings. Individuals interested in pursuing this course of study are interested in performing various duties, including interacting with patients, laboratory, x-ray, and administrative duties. Medical assistants help doctors with patient care and treatment, take limited x-rays, conduct laboratory tests and perform front office procedures. Many are attracted to a career as a medical assistant, as they have predictable work schedules and the ability to choose a clinic specialty, such as OB-GYN or pediatrics.

Curriculum within a Medical Assistant Program

Courses that fall within a medical assistant program include specialized education covering the topics of medical terminology, physiology, anatomy, pharmacology, office diagnostic procedures, clinical procedures, specimen collection, assistance to the physician, medical transportation, medical office procedures, computerized medical billing and financial recordkeeping. Student will learn both office skills, as well as a considerable amount of medical knowledge. Course content will cover the handling of health insurance billing and medical coding, as well as how to handle questions and concerns of patients in regards to health insurance claims. Medical assistants typically perform routine clinical and clerical duties in order to maintain efficiency in offices of physicians, chiropractors, podiatrists, among others. Medical assistants are different than physicians' assistants, as a physician assistant�s job requires examining, diagnosing, and treating patients under the direction of a physician. A medical assistant requires less training and fewer education requirements than a physician assistant�s role does.

Career Opportunities as a Medical Assistant

There are a number of career opportunities that a medical assistant can pursue upon completion of their educational requirements. The better your communication skills, the faster you'll advance in the rapidly growing field of a medical assistant. Whether you're called a medical records secretary, a medical office receptionist, a medical secretary, or a clinic clerk, your salary prospects begin in the $20-30,000 range including additional benefits, depending on your proficiency and the prevailing healthcare salaries in your area. If you decide to specialize in a specific medical area, the opportunity to make more is available. The majority of medical assistants find employment in medical practices or healthcare organizations. Approximately 60 percent of medical assistants work in doctor's offices, while 14 percent work in both inpatient and outpatient departments of public and private hospitals. Additionally, 10 percent work in specialized health care offices with physicians, such as chiropractors and podiatrists. The remaining assistants administer their skills in facilities for outpatient care, in state and local government agencies, in public and private education, in nursing centers, and in employment services.

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