Medical Office Assistant Jobs – Start a Rewarding Career in a Stable Field

Medical office assistant jobs are a good career choice for people who are interested in medicine and who are good organizers and effective communicators. A medical assistant is a healthcare professional who works closely with other medical professionals such as physicians, chiropractors, and podiatrists.

Medical Assistant Job Description

The medical assistant will perform clinical and administrative duties to make sure the office is operating efficiently. The exact job description often depends on the size, location, and specialty of services of the facility.

Medical assistants who work in small offices will handle the clinical and administrative tasks and report directly to the health care practitioner or manager in charge. In larger offices, the medical assistant typically works in a specific area of specialized care and will be supervised by department administrators.

Students who are interested in pursuing medical office assistant jobs can get their educational training from a one year program in which they will earn a diploma or certificate. Another option is to earn an associate’s degree from a two year program. Medical assistant programs are available at vocational technical high schools, as well as junior and community colleges.

Students will take a variety of courses which will provide knowledge about the medical field as well as administrative tasks. Courses include physiology, medical terminology, anatomy, keyboarding, accounting, insurance procession, and transcription.

Other required areas of study include diagnostic and clinical procedures, first aid, laboratory techniques, the administration of medications, medical law, and patient relations.

It is not required for students and graduates to have formal training before they can work as a medical assistant, but it can be very helpful. On the job training is available for people who have a high school diploma or G.E.D. Another way to get formal training is to volunteer at a healthcare facility. On the job training often consists of shadowing experienced medical assistants and participating in training sessions.

Medical assistants are not required to become certified but having this credential offers proof to prospective employers that the person is qualified based on industry guidelines. Certification can also lead to more job opportunities and higher pay.

People who qualify for medical office assistant jobs can use some of their skills to create work-at-home jobs for themselves. The medical billing and coding profession requires some of the same knowledge. See the hub titled Medical Billing and Coding Careers and Opportunities to Work at Home for more information.  Medical transcription jobs are also a related field.