All You Need To Know Before You Attend Online Medical Assistant Programs

If you're considering attending an online medical assistant program

, then having the important facts and tips about the profession would be a great place to start.

What do they do?

These men and women are the day-to-day workforce that takes care of the minute details in a doctor's office, making them invaluable resources of information and assistance. They answer phone calls, make appointments, handle insurance and patient payments, and perform the necessary medical paperwork in an office. They can also be called upon to perform the basic diagnostic tests such as X-rays, blood pressure and EKG's. In many cases, med assistants can administer shots as well.

What education level is needed?

To be a med assistant, you must have at least a diploma or associate's level degree and that usually takes between one to two years to complete. It is usually advantageous for your future career possibilities to have an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S) degree, which is a two-year program. While it only gives you a slight edge over other job applicants, it's a great way to progress into a bachelor and master's program later down the line. Students trained in both medical terminology and administrative tasks are more likely to be hired than just one or the other.

Certification by respected agencies like the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) or Association of Medical Technologists (AMT) can also lead to greater job prospects. Employers look at these institutions as setting the bar for medical standards and a certification from one of these places is held in high regard.

What pay can I expect?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2008, medical aides earn an average of $29,450. The highest salary reported was at about $39,970.

Where will I work?

The most medical assistant jobs are seen in physician offices, outpatient care centers, colleges and universities, and hospitals specializing in many different fields. Those that had the highest pay were in psychiatric wards, substance abuse clinics, dentist offices, research laboratories, and local government facilities.

What job perks are there?

Medical aides generally work in clean and safe environments. They are constantly interacting with patients, family and the other office staff. Excellent or on par medical benefits such as health, dental and vision are pretty common in all of these work places. Work hours change depending on where you work. A doctor's office might see more regular hours, but 24 hour facilities like hospitals or psychiatric wards might see weekend or night shifts. Some medical assistants enjoy these varying shifts because it affords them some flexibility.

If you are considering a job as a medical assistant, then choosing an online medical assistant program can fit your busy schedule. It will make you familiar with today's new and emerging technology because of the classroom's interactive use of it for lectures and discussions. Online medical assistant programs use the same rigorous course work that traditional schooling offers, but with the added advantage of doing it from a time and location that fits your needs. Not only that, it is usually less costly than attending a ground school overall. Online medical assistant programs are the perfect answer for someone who is looking to contribute in the medical field in a productive and service-based way.

by: Emily Sismour

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