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Job Report Medical Assistants
Nature of the Work
Medical assistants help physicians examine and treat patients and perform routine
tasks needed to keep the office running smoothly.
The duties of a medical assistant may be administrative, clinical, or both. The size
of the office determines the scope of the job; those in small offices typically handle both
clerical and clinical duties, whereas in offices with a sizable staff, medical assistants usually
specialize in either the office or patient care aspects of the job.
Clinical duties most commonly include: Recording patients' height, weight,
temperature, and blood pressure; obtaining medical histories; performing basic laboratory
tests; preparing patients for examination or treatment; assisting the physician in examining
patients; and sterilizing instruments. Other clinical duties may be instructing patients about
medication and self-treatment, drawing blood, preparing patients for X-ray, taking EKG's,
and applying dressings.
Medical assistants also may arrange instruments and equipment in the examining
room; check office and laboratory supplies; and maintain the waiting, consulting, and
examination rooms in a neat and orderly condition.
Medical assistants perform a variety of administrative duties. They may answer the
telephone, greet patients and other callers, record and file patient data and medical records,
fill out medical reports and insurance forms, handle correspondence, schedule
appointments, and arrange for hospital admission and laboratory services. Along with other
office duties, they may transcribe dictation and handle the bookkeeping and billing.
Increasingly, medical assistants perform routine clerical tasks--such as record keeping and
billing--on automated office equipment, primarily word processors and personal computers
(microcomputers).
Medical secretaries and medical receptionists also perform administrative tasks in
medical offices, but, unlike medical assistants, they rarely have clinical duties.
Medical assistants employed in hospitals or outpatient facilities, like those who work
in practitioners' offices, perform a variety of tasks. For instance, they may assist physicians
in emergency departments by providing direct care to patients. In addition, they may
process paperwork without the direct supervision of a physician, for example, in the
admissions or medical records departments.
Medical assistants known as Ophthalmic medical assistants help ophthalmologists
to care for eyes. They take medical histories, use precision instruments to administer
diagnostic tests, measure eyes, and test eye functioning. At times, they provide technical
assistance to ophthalmologists during eye surgery. These workers change eye dressings,
administer eye drops or oral medications, and teach patients how to insert, remove, and
care for contact lenses. Sometimes, they may help ophthalmologists dispense eyeglasses
and contact lenses. Among their other duties are caring for and maintaining optical and
surgical instruments.
Working Conditions
Medical assistants work in a well-lighted, clean environment. They need to be
careful when performing clinical work, such as sterilizing equipment or doing laboratory
tests.
Employment
Medical assistants held about 156,000 jobs in 1990. Three out of five were
employed in physicians' offices, and about 1 in 5 worked in offices of other health
practitioners such as optometrists, podiatrists, and chiropractors. Slightly more than 1 in
10 worked in hospitals.
Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement
Medical assistants often are trained on the job. Applicants usually need a high
school diploma or the equivalent. High school courses in mathematics, health, biology,
typing, bookkeeping, computers, and office practices are helpful.
Many medical assistants receive their training in formal programs offered in some
high schools and, at the postsecondary level, by vocational-technical institutes, trade
schools, community and junior colleges, and universities. Community college and
university programs in medical assisting usually last 2 years and lead to an associate
degree; the other programs take up to 1 year to complete and graduates receive a diploma
or certificate.
Two agencies are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit
programs in medical assisting: The Committee on Allied Health Education and
Accreditation (CAHEA) and the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
The 165 medical assisting and 8 ophthalmic medical assisting programs approved by
CAHEA graduated about 6,300 students in 1990. The ABHES accredits 134 medical
assisting programs, and graduates numbered about 7,100 in 1990. The curriculum in these
programs consists of courses in biology, anatomy and physiology, typing, transcription,
accounting, records and recordkeeping, and medical terminology. Many students receive
instruction in computer skills as they apply to the medical office. Students also receive
supervised clinical experience and learn laboratory techniques, use of medical equipment,
clinical procedures, and first-aid techniques. In addition, students receive instruction in
administrative and office practices including communications skills, human relations, and
medical law and ethics.
There are no licensing requirements for medical assistants. Gaining credentials,
which is voluntary, consists of certification offered by professional organizations upon
successful completion of an examination. The American Association of Medical Assistants
(AAMA) awards the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential, the American Medical
Technologists awards the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) credential, and the Joint
Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology awards the Ophthalmic Medical
Assistant credential at three levels: certified Ophthalmic Assistant, Certified Ophthalmic
Technician, and Certified Ophthalmic Technologist.
For medical assistants, advancement often means leaving the occupation, for career
lines are short. Clinical health occupations such as radiologic technologist or registered
nurse require additional clinical education, whereas administrative and managerial jobs may
not. Medical assistants who demonstrate leadership abilities may, for example, be
promoted to the position of office manager. (The trend toward group practice, clinics,
freestanding emergency centers, and other alternatives to solo practice is likely to heighten
demand for office managers.) Medical assistants with computer skills are qualified for a
wide variety of research and management support positions.
A neat, well-groomed appearance and a courteous, pleasant manner are necessary
traits for medical assistants, who have a great deal of contact with the public.
Communication skills are especially important. Medical assistants must not only be good
at putting patients at ease, but be good listeners and interpret a physician's instructions
correctly the first time they are given. Conscientiousness, a sense of responsibility, and
respect for the confidential nature of medical information are all necessary qualities in a
medical assistant. Clinical duties require a reasonable level of manual dexterity and visual
acuity. Medical assistants must be able to deal with people who are under stress.
Job Outlook
Employment of medical assistants is expected to grow much faster than the average
for all occupations through the year 2000 due to anticipated expansion of the health
services industry.
Employment growth will be spurred by the increased medical needs of an aging
population, growth in the number of heath practitioners, more diagnostic testing, and the
increased volume and complexity of paperwork. Most job openings, however, will result
from the need to replace experienced assistants who leave the occupation.
In view of the preference of many physicians for trained personnel, job prospects
should be very good for medical assistants with formal training, experience, or both.
Employers view formal certification favorably. Medical assistants with word processing and
computer skills will have an advantage.
Earnings
The earnings of medical assistants vary widely. Pay levels are governed chiefly by
the assistant's qualifications and experience, the size and location of the physician's
practice, and the number of hours worked. According to a survey by the Committee on
Allied Health Education and Accreditation, the average starting salary for graduates of the
medical assistant programs they accredit was about $13,800 a year in 1990.
Related Occupations
Workers in other health occupations that entail a combination of administrative and
clinical duties include orthoptists, pharmacy helpers, dental assistants, occupation therapy
aides, and physical therapist aides.
Sources of Additional Information
Information about career opportunities, CAHEA-accredited educational programs in
medical assisting, and requirements for the Certified Medical Assistant exam is available
from:
The American Association of Medical Assistants, 20 North Wacker Dr., Suite
1575, Chicago, Ill. 60606.
Information about career opportunities and requirements for becoming a Registered
Medical Assistant is available from:
American Medical Technologists, Registered Medical Assistants, 710 Higgins
Rd., Park Ridge, Ill. 60068.
For a list of ABHES-accredited educational programs in medical assisting write:
Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools, Oak Manor Office, 29089
U.S. 20 West, Elkhart, Ind. 46514.
Information about career opportunities, training programs, and requirements to
become a Certified Ophthalmic Assistant is available from:
Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology, 1812 N. St.
Paul Rd., St. Paul, Minn. 55109.
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