What Is a Clinical Medical Assistant?

Clinical medical assistants are recognized as some of the most versatile and important members of any medical practice.   They work in the back office with the doctors, nurses and other clinical personnel.  Some of the many duties include:

• Asepsis and infection control
• Taking patient histories and vital signs
• Performing first aid and CPR
• Preparing patients for procedures
• Assisting the physician with examinations and treatments
• Collecting and processing specimens
• Performing selected diagnostic tests
• Preparing and administering medications as directed by the physician
• Injections
• Phlebotomy
• EKG/ECG

While clinical medical assistants working in a smaller practice may be required to perform some administrative tasks, those working in larger medical facilities focus mainly on providing support services directly related to patient care.

Successful clinical medical assistants must have a variety of specialized skills in order to perform their jobs well. They must have a good understanding of medical procedures, as well as a familiarity with medical terminology so as to be able to read and understand patient charts.

Medical assistants must also be able to use the tools and equipment the job requires, including stethoscopes, EEG and EKG machines, laboratory equipment, sterilization tools, and more..

By becoming a medical assistant, you can look forward to getting the training and education you need in a short period of time, and quickly enter a field that pays an average salary of nearly $30,000 a year. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the number of jobs in the field to grow by 29% in the current decade, making now the perfect time for you to become a medical assistant.

 

NATIONAL CERTIFICATION

Hands-on experience can also give you an edge once it’s time to take the exam. In our programs we offer externships where you can receive on-the-job experience in a medical facility before you graduate. The benefits of an externship are twofold: 1) It will be easier to remember terms for the exam because you’ve worked with them in the real world; 2) You can add relevant work experience to your resume.

Employers aren’t looking for just any candidates and earning a certification can give you an edge.  A medical assisting national certification means you’ll be better prepared to snap up one of those jobs and start your career.  At the present time we are partnered with NCCT (National Center for Competency Testing) and AMT which are two of the most recognized certifications in the US.