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Medical assistants perform routine administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices and clinics of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, and optometrists running smoothly.
Preparing patients for examinations, they take vital signs such as temperature, pulse, and respiration. They assist with first aid, collect and process specimens, and perform ordered tests. As the physician’s right hand, these professionals schedule appointments, prepare and maintain patient records, and
arrange hospital admissions. A medical assistant serves as a liaison between the physician and others, such as pharmaceutical sales people.
Most medical assistants work in physician offices. Medical assistants often find employment either in full-time or part-time positions.
$36,500
Employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 29 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. The growth of the aging baby-boom population will continue to increase demand for preventive medical services, which are often provided by physicians. As a result, physicians will hire more assistants to perform routine administrative and clinical duties, allowing the physicians to see more patients.
There are both 1-year and 2-year medical assisting programs.
Two-year programs result in associate degrees while 1-year programs grant certificates or diploma’s.
Formal training in medical assisting is most widely preferred but is not always required. Some medical assistants are trained on the job, although this is less common than it was in the past.
Licensure is not required in the state of Connecticut.
American Association of Medical Assistants
20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 1575
Chicago, IL 60606
312-899-1500
www.aama-ntl.org