If you are considering a career as a certified medical assistant, you have come to the right place. First, let’s talk about what medical assistants actually do. Basically, a certified medical assistant helps physicians provide high-quality healthcare by assisting in administrative and clinical tasks.

Here is a list of questions for people who are thinking of medical assistant careers:

• Do you want to have a job where you help others everyday?

• Are you a good listener? Do you have excellent communication skills?

• Do you like working on a variety of different things?

• Are you looking for a job that is in demand?

• Are you interested in health and medicine?

If you answered yes to one or more of these questions then a career as a certified medical assistant might be the right choice for you.

What does a certified medical assistant do?

A certified medical assistant works with physicians and nurses to help ensure that patients get the best possible health care. Medical assistants not only help with administrative and clinical tasks, he or she also bridges the communication gap between busy physicians and patients who may be too afraid to ask questions. They make patients feel more at ease in the physician’s office and help the practice run smoothly.

The duties of medical assistants may include the following:

• answering the telephone and setting up appointments

• filling out insurance forms

• recording and updating the patients' medical history files

• manage billing and bookkeeping

• explaining medical procedures to patients

• helping patients with their medication and special diets

• recording vital signs

• authorizing drug refills

• cleaning and sterilizing instruments

• collecting laboratory specimens

• and other such tasks – note that clinical duties may differ greatly according to state laws

How to Become a Certified Medical Assistant

To become a certified medical assistant, you can either try to get on the job training, possibly as a volunteer, or enroll in a medical assisting program. There are one-year certificate or diploma programs or two-year associate degree programs available at vocational schools, junior colleges or community colleges.

Students study subjects such as basic anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, laboratory techniques, first aid and the administration of medications. They also receive training in transcription, accounting, record keeping, and insurance processing.

In some states, certified medical assistants may perform certain advanced procedures like giving injections or even taking x rays but they must first pass a test or take a special course on that procedure.

Although certification is not required to get a job as a medical assistant, it can help you get a higher salary or more employment opportunities. There are several professional associations such as the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) and Association of Medical Technologists (AMT) that award certification to qualified medical assistants.

Certified Medical Assistant: One of the Fastest Growing Careers

What can you look forward to as a certified medical assistant? Because of the growth and aging of the current population in the U.S., the healthcare industry is expected to expand in the next ten years or more. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for medical assistants is expected to grow by 34 percent from 2008 to 2018.

Job seekers who want to work as a certified medical assistant therefore have excellent prospects. Employers generally prefer to hire medical assistants with experience or those who have formal training and certification. This means that a certified medical assistant will have the best job opportunities available to him or her.