Health Careers:
Medical Assistant

What is a medical assistant?

Medical assistants perform many administrative and patient duties. The specific duties they perform depend on the state laws and the type of office they work in. They must report directly to an office manager, doctor or other health professional. They should not be confused with a physician assistant, as a physician assistant is responsible for examining, diagnosing, and treating patients under the guidance of a doctor.

Administrative duties may include: answering the phones, greeting patients, updating and filing patient's records, filling out insurance forms, scheduling appointments, arranging lab tests, handling the bookkeeping, and more.

Patient duties may include: taking a medical history, recording vital signs, explaining treatments, preparing a patient for exams, assisting the doctor during exams, preparing lab specimens, performing basic lab tests within the office, changing bandages, and more.

Where does a medical assistant work?

Most medical assistants work in a doctor's office, such as a chiropractor (spine), ophthalmologist (eye), podiatrist (foot), or in an orthopedic (joint and bone) practice.

What type of education is needed?

A degree from an approved program is preferred. These programs, which can be found at community colleges or technical schools, last either one year, resulting in a certificate, or two years, resulting in an associate's degree. A national exam may also need to be taken.

What is the salary?

A medical assistant's average salary in Vermont is $29,103.

How could a medical assistant advance?

With experience a medical assistant may be able to advance to an office manager. Also, pursuing further education could lead to becoming an instructor or it may lead to another health career, such as nursing.

Where can I go for more information?

www.certmedassistant.com