Careers in Medical Assisting
Medical Assisting: Explore Your Options
One of the most rewarding and satisfying aspects of being a medical assistant is knowing that you have the power to help people feel better. Working right along side doctors and other medical professionals, medical assistants perform essential duties before, during, and after a patient’s appointment.
Responsibilities of a Medical Assistant
Medical assistants help keep the doctor on schedule by performing a wide variety of tasks in the examination rooms with patients and at the front desk as well. Medical assistant responsibilities include:
- - Preparing patients for medical exams
- - Gather information from client on the reason for their visit
- - Prepare and organize medical records
- - Answer questions for patients
- - Administer medication as directed by a physician
- - Recording vital signs
- - Scheduling appointments
As you can see, the day in the life of a medical assistant is busy, challenging, and rewarding.
Career Benefits
Excellent Opportunities: Healthcare provider groups, medical doctors, clinics, hospitals and insurance companies are in constant need of qualified staff. Medical assistants are hired by large and small, single and multiple group practices, wellness clinics, emergency centers, and major hospitals. The future for medical assistants is limitless.
Financial Reward: Salaries for entry-level medical assistants currently range from $1,600 to $1,760 net per month. After approximately two years in the field, salaries typically rise to $1,900-$2,000 per month.
The national average earning for medical assistants is approximately $37,000, the lowest ten percent earning $29,000, and the highest 10 percent earning $60,000. Annual salaries correspond with education, qualifications, location, and years of experience in the field.
Flexibility: Due to the wide variety of working environments that demand medical assistants, there is tremendous flexibility with regards to full time or part time, day, evening and weekend hours. Location is also generally flexible with a multitude of medical establishments in short range to most points within a city. Currently the demand for medical assistants is exceeding the supply of qualified and trained individuals. This is an excellent time to enroll at the NJ Premier Institute for Medical and Dental Training and become certified as a medical assistant.
Work Environment: Medical assistants often work under pressure, in a fast-paced environment. They are always busy and must always be prepared to help the doctor handle any emergency situation that arises. Positions are available at primary care practices, specialty medical offices, or various types of ambulatory clinics. This is a great career for anyone who likes to remain active, since often times assistants need to lift items, stand for a period of time, reach, and walk from one patient to the next.
Personal Satisfaction: Going to work every day is challenging and exciting. No two days are ever the same. There is a lot of patient interaction and patients will look to for advice and answers. Medical assistants provide a service that doctors cannot do without. As a medical assistant, you will be a vital component of the team in any medical office. Doctors understand and appreciate the value this position brings to their practice. You will go to work every day feeling needed, valued and appreciated.
Qualifications: Medical assistants must be at least 18 years of age and have a high school diploma or equivalent GED.
Getting Certified: Upon successful completion of the Medical Assistant Program offered at the NJ Premier Institute, and meeting all necessary requirements from the National Health Career Association (NHA), a student will be eligible to sit for the national board certification.
Financial Assistance: The NJ Premier Institute for Medical and Dental Training can offer financing for your tuition through Health One. To learn more about financial assistants, click here.
For additional information, call us today, 732-203-0700 or visit our school profile page to learn more about us.