| A medical assistant provides support and assistance | | | | prepares them for entry into the medical profession. |
| to a physician by performing routine tasks and handling | | | | People can receive this training in a variety of locales |
| administrative responsibilities. Medical assistants work in | | | | such as, technical high schools, community and junior |
| a variety of locales such as hospitals, offices, and | | | | colleges, and vocational schools. Students study a |
| clinics. The nature of the job changes depending on | | | | number of medically related subjects including anatomy |
| the state, location, and health practitioner that employs | | | | and physiology, as well as certain business classes |
| them. Beginning medical assistants make | | | | that will allow them to the perform the administrative |
| approximately $28,000 a year. Many analysts predict | | | | functions of the job. Certain programs award an |
| the field will experience explosive growth in the coming | | | | associate's degree and provide internships to their |
| years. With few educational requirements, long-term | | | | students. |
| growth prospects, and a number of advancement | | | | Some medical assistants learn on the job. This involves |
| opportunities, this profession can provide the stability | | | | a combination of workplace training and classroom |
| and growth that many individuals are seeking. | | | | training. A few states allow assistants to perform |
| Assistants may be required to perform a number of | | | | advanced tasks if they have been properly trained. |
| tasks including filing, filling out insurance requests, | | | | Those seeking more growth opportunities and higher |
| scheduling appointments and hospital visits, and | | | | salaries may obtain certification from a professional |
| bookkeeping. In addition, they may be asked to take | | | | medical association such as the AMA. This opens up |
| vital signs, prepare and inform patients, perform lab | | | | opportunities to teach, become a nurse, or manage an |
| tests, and conduct certain rudimentary medical tasks. | | | | entire practice. |
| Most assistants work in a bustling environment | | | | There are many career choices within the healthcare |
| approximately 40 hours a week and have to balance | | | | profession. Becoming an assistant is one the most |
| many tasks at one time. Although the work can be | | | | viable ways to gain entry into the healthcare field. In |
| fast paced and hectic, most people employed in this | | | | addition, the job promises growth and advancement |
| field report high job satisfaction. | | | | for those who are ambitious and have a desire to |
| There are no formal educational or training | | | | learn more. As opposed to most jobs, which require |
| requirements necessary to perform the job. Instead, | | | | advanced degrees and years of schooling, being a |
| depending on the particular state, potential assistants | | | | medical assistant is accessible, pays well, and provides |
| complete a one or two year training program that | | | | equal opportunities for those willing to work hard. |