Becoming a Medical Assistant

By an allied health world contributing writer
Published: January 26th, 2010

Steps to Become a Medical Assistant

Although there are a variety of routes to getting into this profession, the following steps describe the most direct path.

While in high school, take classes in math, health, biology, typing, computer skills, and office skills.
Job shadow medical assistants in a variety of settings to ensure the profession is a good fit for you and determine what type of setting you’d prefer to work in.
Upon graduating from high school, enroll in an associate’s degree in medical assisting or a medical assistant certification program.
While in school volunteer in the health care field to gain experience and build a resume with references.
After graduating from a formal medical assistant training program, sit for a national certification exam through the AAMA or another professional organization.
Look for a job in the field.

What traits make would make someone a good fit for this profession?

Perhaps above all else it is important for medical How to Become a Medical Assistant

assistants to enjoy working with people since they will be talking to, working with, and intereacting with patients daily. Other important traits include being an effective communicator, being detail oriented, and efficient. Having basic computer skills and knowledge is also important as the medical field continues to integrate more advanced technology.

What employment settings are medical assistants employed?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were approximately 417,000 medical office assistants employed in the United States in 2006. The bulk of these professionals, about 62 percent, were employed at doctors’ offices. Almost any type of doctor’s office from an OB/GYN to pediatrician can benefit from hiring medical assistants because it frees up the doctors and nurses to focus specifically on their job duties. The medical assistant rooms and prepares a patient for the nurse and doctor, which in turn provides them the ability to see a higher volume of patients.

Learn more about the medical assistant certification, which is an essential step in the path of this career field. There are many medical assistant schools that offer the medical assistant programs and certification programs.

Approximately 11 percent of medical assistants were employed in other types of offices, including podiatrists and chiropractors. Hospitals employ about 12 percent of medical assistants. Due to the specialization of the practice, in some settings medical assistants have more specific job responsibilities.

Below is more detailed information about the various employment settings:

Almost any type of doctor’s office including: OB/GYN, pediatrician, urologist, dermatologist, cardiologist, and radiologist just to name a few.
Podiatrist’s office – In these settings medical assistants have the added responsibilities of developing x-rays, assisting in surgery, and making casts of feet.
Ophthalmologists’ offices – Medical assistants in these settings perform eye tests to measure vision and record how the eye responds to certain stimuli, test the eye muscle, apply eye dressings, and instruct patients how to insert contact lens and care for them. These professionals may also assist ophthalmologists in surgical procedures.
Dentists’ offices but these are usually referred to as dental assistants and have duties specific to that setting.
Hospital settings (public and private) –Including both inpatient and outpatient facilities.
Chiropractor’s offices
State and government agencies
Laboratories