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How many medical assistants are working in the US today?

Updated: 8/20/2019
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Q: How many medical assistants are working in the US today?
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How does the Law of Agency make it possible for a patient to sue both the medical assistant and the phyiscian for negligence committed by the medical assisant?

The Law of Agency allows the actions of an agent (the medical assistant) to legally bind the principal (the physician) if the agent is acting within the scope of their duties. This means that if the medical assistant's negligence occurred while performing tasks assigned by the physician, the physician can be held liable for the assistant's actions. Therefore, a patient can sue both the medical assistant and the physician for negligence under the principle of vicarious liability.


Are medical assistants are required to wear white uniforms?

No medical personnel are required to wear white by law. In many facilities it was traditional, but not law.


Benefits of Medical Assistant Certifications?

Medical assistant careers have become one of the fastest growing careers in the United States. The specific duties of medical assistants vary per employer, but most medical assistants perform a variety of clinical and administrative tasks within a medical office setting. Some common duties of medical assistants include taking a patient's medical history, collecting blood and urine samples for laboratory testing, preparing patients for x-rays, and sterilizing medical equipment. Medical assistants typically report to physicians or other healthcare professionals. Many individuals who pursue a career as a medical assistant also obtain certification. Certification is not required, but medical assistants who are certified usually enjoy greater employment opportunities and higher salaries.Education RequirementsIndividuals desiring to become medical assistants usually attend a 1- or 2-year medial assistant program at a community college, vocational or technical school. Many programs include preparation for certification. Courses commonly taken in medical assistant programs include anatomy, medical terminology, accounting, billing, and medical transcription. Many programs that are accredited also offer students the opportunity to participate in an internship. Medical assistants also learn first aid, CPR, how to give injections, and how to administer medications.Certification InformationThe Association of Medical Technologists and the American Association of Medical Assistants are two associations that award medical assistant certifications to individuals who meet the requirements. The specific requirements and processes for certification vary per association. In most cases, students must pass a written exam after completing a medical assistant program.Job OpportunitiesMost medical assistants work in physician offices, while a smaller percentage work in private hospitals. Medical assistants enjoy a positive job outlook, and the medical assistant field will experience significant job growth through 2018. An aging population and the increased occurrence of certain diseases are some of the reasons for the positive career outlook. Many employers desire to hire certified medical assistants, so individuals interested in a medical assistant career benefit greatly from obtaining the certification.


Information on How to Become a Medical Assistant?

A medical assistant is someone who works with doctors, nurses, patients, and families of patients to make sure that patients are receiving the best care possible. There are several different opportunities for employment as a medical assistant, including working as an administrative assistant, a clinical assistant, or assistants specialized in a certain field such as optometry, pediatrics, or orthopedics. Most medical assistants work full-time, but there are exceptions where some work only nights or weekends. There are many different tasks that may be assigned to a medical assistant. For example, many administrative assistants spend the majority of their time in an office environment, filing medical papers, scheduling appointments, and organizing medical records. Clinical assistants spend more time with patients. They may be responsible for taking blood pressure, weighing patients, recording medical histories, and more. However, medical assistants are not trained to prescribe medication or to perform exams or surgeries, so their interactions with the patients are limited in this way. Those who specialize in a particular field will usually meet with the patients before the doctor arrives, possibly conducting basic tests or asking questions about the patient's medical history. Most medical assistants receive their training on-the-job or from a one- or two-year program. Educational programs for medical assistants are offered at many high schools and junior colleges. In these programs, students learn about human anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, medical transcription, ethical and legal issues, and more. Some educational or certification requirements vary from state to state as well. Currently, job prospects for those interested in becoming a medical assistant are looking positive. There is expected to be an increased need for medical assistants in the years ahead, as baby boomers grow up and require more medical care. However, it is important to meet all of the educational and certification requirements before applying for a job. Employers are looking for individuals with a high level of education and/or experience in the field. This will be key in securing a job as a medical assistant. Most medical assistants earn around $26,000 to $30,000 yearly, depending on training, experience, and the type of facility in which you work.


Where do certified medical assistants work at?

General AnswerAccording to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 527,600 medical assistants in 2010 and it will increase 31% by 2020. Medical office administrative assistants are employed in organizations, such as, Physician, podiatrist, or chiropractor offices, Healthcare facilities Experienced AnswerI am a medical assistant and I work in an office of a family physician. Medical Assistants work in offices of all different kinds of physicians and in hospitals although since most hospitals require you to work in only one area, your skills and education would be unused. Traditional medical assistants work for physicians in offices and clinics which is why we have knowledge and education from all aspects of the office/clinic setting, front office to billing and phlebotomy, some radiology (sometimes that depends on the state ) and most procedures in office/clinic setting. Degrees in medical assistant can be certified to an associates degree and require testing for registration through the state.


What does a healthcare assistant job entail?

The duties of medical assistants vary from office to office, depending on the location and size of the practice and the practitioner's specialty. In small practices, medical assistants usually do many different kinds of tasks, handling both administrative and clinical duties and reporting directly to an office manager, physician, or other health practitioner. Those in large practices tend to specialize in a particular area, under the supervision of department administrators.Medical assistants who perform administrative tasks have many duties. They update and file patients' medical records, fill out insurance forms, and arrange for hospital admissions and laboratory services. They also perform tasks less specific to medical settings, such as answering telephones, greeting patients, handling correspondence, scheduling appointments, and handling billing and bookkeeping.For clinical medical assistants, duties vary according to what is allowed by State law. Some common tasks include taking medical histories and recording vital signs, explaining treatment procedures to patients, preparing patients for examinations, and assisting physicians during examinations. Medical assistants collect and prepare laboratory specimens and sometimes perform basic laboratory tests on the premises, dispose of contaminated supplies, and sterilize medical instruments. They might instruct patients about medications and special diets, prepare and administer medications as directed by a physician, authorize drug refills as directed, telephone prescriptions to a pharmacy, draw blood, prepare patients for x-rays, take electrocardiograms, remove sutures, and change dressings.Medical assistants also may arrange examining room instruments and equipment, purchase and maintain supplies and equipment, and keep waiting and examining rooms neat and clean.Ophthalmic medical assistants, optometric assistants, and podiatric medical assistants are examples of specialized assistants who have additional duties. Ophthalmic medical assistants help ophthalmologists provide eye care. They conduct diagnostic tests, measure and record vision, and test eye muscle function. They also show patients how to insert, remove, and care for contact lenses, and they apply eye dressings. Under the direction of the physician, ophthalmic medical assistants may administer eye medications. They also maintain optical and surgical instruments and may assist the ophthalmologist in surgery. Optometric assistants also help provide eye care, working with optometrists. They provide chair-side assistance, instruct patients about contact lens use and care, conduct preliminary tests on patients, and otherwise provide assistance while working directly with an optometrist. Podiatric medical assistants make castings of feet, expose and develop x rays, and assist podiatrists in surgery.A medical assistant is a responsible person. They must be reliable for the pre-medical care and also administrative jobs in a hospital.Work environment. Medical assistants work in well-lighted, clean environments. They constantly interact with other people and may have to handle several responsibilities at once. Most full-time medical assistants work a regular 40-hour week. However, many medical assistants work part time, evenings, or weekends.For the source and more detailed information concerning your request, click on the related links section (U.S. Department of Labor) indicated directly below this answer section.


What is the job description of medical assistant?

Clerical Medical AssistantsThere isn't much that separates a clerical medical assistant from an administrative assistant. They perform basic office duties such as answering phones, scheduling appointments, sorting mail and greeting patients. Although the job duties of clerical medical assistants are not specific to the medical field, they are vital to the function of every medical office. Administrative Medical AssistantAdministrative medical assistants usually perform all of the clerical duties as well as administrative duties specific to the medical field. Besides answering phones and scheduling appointments, they maintain medical records, submit insurance claim forms, handle billing and book keeping. They are usually the ones who schedule medical tests, lab-work, and out-patient procedures for patients. Again, the smaller the practice, the more work will be required of them. Clinical Medical AssistantClinical medical assistants assume much of the workload that was once assigned to nurses and physician assistants. Having been trained in basic medical procedures, such as taking blood pressure, they are well-equipped to work directly with patients.Their tasks may include recording vitals, preparing the exam room, explaining medical procedures to patients and assisting the physican with medical procedures.They will often collect and prepare specimens, such as stool and urine samples, and may even remove stiches and sutures. More qualified clinical medical assistants can draw blood, take x-rays and perform EGKs.Specialized Medical AssistantsThe beauty of working as a medical assistant is that you have so many options available to you. In fact, medical assistants are one of the most versatile health care professions! Much like doctors, MAs can choose to specialize in a certain field of medicine.For example, a podiatric medical assistant works in a podiatrist's office. They make foot castings and assist the physican during examinations and surgeries. Optometric assistants help optomotrists with eye tests and examinations and show patients how to use contact lenses. Medical lab assistants help pathologists and lab technicians in preparing and testing specimens.


What does a medical do?

The duties of medical assistants vary from office to office, depending on the location and size of the practice and the practitioner's specialty. In small practices, medical assistants usually do many different kinds of tasks, handling both administrative and clinical duties and reporting directly to an office manager, physician, or other health practitioner. Those in large practices tend to specialize in a particular area, under the supervision of department administrators.Medical assistants who perform administrative tasks have many duties. They update and file patients' medical records, fill out insurance forms, and arrange for hospital admissions and laboratory services. They also perform tasks less specific to medical settings, such as answering telephones, greeting patients, handling correspondence, scheduling appointments, and handling billing and bookkeeping.For clinical medical assistants, duties vary according to what is allowed by State law. Some common tasks include taking medical histories and recording vital signs, explaining treatment procedures to patients, preparing patients for examinations, and assisting physicians during examinations. Medical assistants collect and prepare laboratory specimens and sometimes perform basic laboratory tests on the premises, dispose of contaminated supplies, and sterilize medical instruments. They might instruct patients about medications and special diets, prepare and administer medications as directed by a physician, authorize drug refills as directed, telephone prescriptions to a pharmacy, draw blood, prepare patients for x-rays, take electrocardiograms, remove sutures, and change dressings.Medical assistants also may arrange examining room instruments and equipment, purchase and maintain supplies and equipment, and keep waiting and examining rooms neat and clean.Ophthalmic medical assistants, optometric assistants, and podiatric medical assistants are examples of specialized assistants who have additional duties. Ophthalmic medical assistants help ophthalmologists provide eye care. They conduct diagnostic tests, measure and record vision, and test eye muscle function. They also show patients how to insert, remove, and care for contact lenses, and they apply eye dressings. Under the direction of the physician, ophthalmic medical assistants may administer eye medications. They also maintain optical and surgical instruments and may assist the ophthalmologist in surgery. Optometric assistants also help provide eye care, working with optometrists. They provide chair-side assistance, instruct patients about contact lens use and care, conduct preliminary tests on patients, and otherwise provide assistance while working directly with an optometrist. Podiatric medical assistants make castings of feet, expose and develop x rays, and assist podiatrists in surgery.A medical assistant is a responsible person. They must be reliable for the pre-medical care and also administrative jobs in a hospital.Work environment. Medical assistants work in well-lighted, clean environments. They constantly interact with other people and may have to handle several responsibilities at once. Most full-time medical assistants work a regular 40-hour week. However, many medical assistants work part time, evenings, or weekends.For the source and more detailed information concerning your request, click on the related links section (U.S. Department of Labor) indicated directly below this answer section.


Medical Assistant Training and Job Description?

Medical assistants are those individuals who are responsible for working directly with doctors, nurses, other health practitioners, and patients in order to provide quality care and accurate record keeping. Medical assistants often perform all kinds of tasks, including taking patient vitals, filing records, scheduling appointments, collecting lab specimens, and more. Some are trained on-the-job, but most complete a one- or two-year training program to become qualified to work as a medical assistant. In these training programs, students learn how to work in the medical field. This includes learning about health-related legal issues, how to work with medical documents, laboratory procedures, and general patient care. These training programs are generally offered in vocational or community colleges, but some students also take them at the university level in a nursing or pre-medical program. Students may opt to become certified as a medical assistant through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) or Association of Medical Technologists (AMT), although this is not always a requirement for employment in many states. However, extra certification and training may lead to a better-paying position after graduation. For those interested in a career as a medical assistant, the job prospects are projected to be excellent. With rapid growth in the medical field as a whole, there is a greater demand for medical assistants to work with doctors and nurses to help care for patients. Medical assistants work in all areas of the medical field, including hospitals, nursing homes, private practices, pediatrics, and more. Almost all medical practitioners require help keeping track of patient files, answering phones, and scheduling appointments, so jobs as medical assistants are abundant. Many of these jobs are full-time positions, although some locations do offer part-time positions on nights and weekends. One of the most important skills in this position is organization. Medical assistants must be able to handle several tasks at once and stay focused. Pay rates for medical assistants vary according to experience, training, education, and skills. For example, medical assistants who spend more time working directly with patients, taking vitals and conducting lab work are more likely to receive higher salaries than those who answer phones and file paperwork. However, this is not always the case. Most medical assistants earn anywhere between $25,000 and $29,000 a year, with those who work in general hospitals and surgical clinics earning more than their private practice counterparts.


What will you be certified to do when you are a medical assistant?

The following is written by and according to the U.S. Department of Labor and particular medical assistants.Although not required, certification indicates that a medical assistant meets certain standards of knowledge. It may also help to distinguish an experienced or formally trained assistant from an entry-level assistant, which may lead to a higher salary or more employment opportunities. There are various associations-such as the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) and Association of Medical Technologists (AMT)-that award certification credentials to medical assistants. The certification process varies by association.Medical assistants perform administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, and other health practitioners running smoothly. The duties of medical assistants vary from office to office, depending on the location and size of the practice and the practitioner's specialty. In small practices, medical assistants usually do many different kinds of tasks, handling both administrative and clinical duties and reporting directly to an office manager, physician, or other health practitioner. Those in large practices tend to specialize in a particular area, under the supervision of department administrators. Medical assistants should not be confused with physician assistants, who examine, diagnose, and treat patients under the direct supervision of a physician. (Physician assistants are discussed elsewhere in the Handbook.)Administrative medical assistants update and file patients' medical records, fill out insurance forms, and arrange for hospital admissions and laboratory services. They also perform tasks less specific to medical settings, such as answering telephones, greeting patients, handling correspondence, scheduling appointments, and handling billing and bookkeeping.Clinical medical assistants have various duties, depending on State law. Some common tasks include taking medical histories and recording vital signs, explaining treatment procedures to patients, preparing patients for examinations, and assisting physicians during examinations. Medical assistants collect and prepare laboratory specimens and sometimes perform basic laboratory tests, dispose of contaminated supplies, and sterilize medical instruments. As directed by a physician, they might instruct patients about medications and special diets, prepare and administer medications, authorize drug refills, telephone prescriptions to a pharmacy, draw blood, prepare patients for x rays, take electrocardiograms, remove sutures, and change dressings. Medical assistants also may arrange examining room instruments and equipment, purchase and maintain supplies and equipment, and keep waiting and examining rooms neat and clean.Ophthalmic medical assistants, optometric assistants, and podiatric medical assistants are examples of specialized assistants who have additional duties. Ophthalmic medical assistants help ophthalmologists provide eye care. They conduct diagnostic tests, measure and record vision, and test eye muscle function. They apply eye dressings and also show patients how to insert, remove, and care for contact lenses. Under the direction of the physician, ophthalmic medical assistants may administer eye medications. They also maintain optical and surgical instruments and may assist the ophthalmologist in surgery. Optometric assistants also help provide eye care, working with optometrists. They provide chair-side assistance, instruct patients about contact lens use and care, conduct preliminary tests on patients, and otherwise provide assistance while working directly with an optometrist. Podiatric medical assistants make castings of feet, expose and develop x rays, and assist podiatrists in surgery.For the source and more detailed information concerning your request, click on the related links section (U.S. Department of Labor) indicated directly below this answer section.


Medical Assistants are in Demand?

The healthcare industry is one of the fastest growing industries in today's job market. Due to the high demand, there is a shortage of healthcare professionals, including medical assistants. In fact, medical assisting is predicted to increase over 34% over the next 10 years, providing for job security in this field. Medical assistants are a very important part of a doctor's office. Medical assistants are tasked with keeping doctor's offices, medical centers and clinics running smoothly from patient to patient. One advantage to becoming a medical assistant is that you can receive your degree in as little as 9 months, depending where you decide to attend school. Once you receive your degree and certification, your starting salary ranges between $25,000 and $35,000 annually, depending on where you live.Job ResponsibilitiesThere are several different areas that medical assistants can work in, but many positions require assistants to work in most, if not all of the areas. These areas are clerical, administrative, clinical and specialized. Clerical duties include greeting patients, scheduling appointments, answering phones, sorting mail and similar responsibilities. The administrative duties required of medical assistants include updating patient files, submitting medical claims, scheduling medical tests and arrange for hospital admissions. Clinical responsibilities of a medical assistant include all medical-related tasks, like prepping patients for the doctors and checking weight and blood pressure. Specialized medical assistant responsibilities vary depending on their specialty. Specialties can be attained in nearly every medical field, and can many times earn you more money than a general degree in medical assisting.Job BenefitsMedical Assistants generally receive very good benefits from their employer. However, the levels of benefits vary depending on the size of the practice or facility that the medical assistant works for. Smaller family medical practices may not offer the same level of benefits that a large medical facility does. Nevertheless, major medical, retirement savings plans and tuition reimbursement plans are all included in most benefits packages offered to medical assistants. Medical assisting can provide you with a comfortable, steady income that will only increase over time. This could be the career that provides you with quick entry and excellent earning potential that you have been looking for.


What are the responsibilities of a medical assistant?

A medical assistant can cover a mixture of administrative and clinical duties, including everything from taking a patient's medical history and prepping a patient for an exam to serving as a receptionists or dealing with files and paperwork to keep an office's patient records in order.