sometimes perform
basic laboratory tests on the premises, dispose of contaminated supplies,
and sterilize medical instruments. They might instruct patients about
medications and special diets, prepare and administer medications
as directed by a physician, authorize drug refills as directed, telephone
prescriptions to a pharmacy, draw blood, prepare patients for x-rays,
take electrocardiograms, remove sutures, and change dressings.Medical
assistants also usually perform administrative tasks such as update
and file patient medical records, fill out insurance forms, and arrange
for hospital admissions and laboratory services.
They also perform
tasks less specific to medical settings, such as answering telephones,
greeting patients, handling correspondence, scheduling appointments,
and handling billing and bookkeeping. Medical assistants also may
arrange examining room instruments and equipment, purchase and maintain
supplies and equipment, and keep waiting and examining rooms neat
and clean.According to the United States Department of Labor, employment
for this filed is projected to grow much faster than average, ranking
medical assistants among the fastest growing occupations over the
2006-16 decade. Job opportunities should be excellent, particularly
for those with formal training or experience.
In most cases a medical assistant is a none licensed health care professional
and they are trained in a variety of way. Many receive informal on
the job type of training while others learn the basics of a medical
practice and patient care in a more formal setting such . Formal training
for medical assistants may occur at a local junior college, vocational
school, high school technical classes, local hospital or online distance
education programs. A good example of newer innovative Medical
Assistant School training is available at St. Augustine
School of Medical Assistants, an educational service that uses internet
based technology to train medical assistants online with a comprehensive
distance education program .St. Augustine Medical Assistant School
Medical Assistant
http://www.medassistant.org by Dr.
Stout, Director of Medical Assistant Education
