
Skills & Attributes of a Professional Medical Assistant

Medical assisting is a solid career choice in a field expected to grow at an astounding 29 percent through 2026 (https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm). There should be no shortage of jobs for those looking to work in this career. But what
do medical assistants have to gain by advancing their careers? There are several reasons, but the number one reason not surprisingly is to increase earnings.
As with most careers, the more advanced the work, the higher the pay. Medical assistants who advance their career through specialized expertise, additional classes, and more targeted training may be more likely to get that coveted pay raise.
One of the woes of staying in an entry-level job while not increasing skills is that workers may be more likely to be downsized or replaced. But those who have made a point of advancing their career through greater knowledge and skills can become quite valuable to employers, who may then make a point of keeping them on the payroll.
Learning new skills isn’t just about job security and higher pay – it’s about patient satisfaction, and that translates into recognition from employers and coworkers. That broader skill set can hold a medical assistant in good standing as they look into other careers in healthcare. For instance, someone who wants to be a nurse can learn plenty of hands-on skills while working as a medical assistant.
Turning to specialized training to advance medical assistant careers can mean that in the end, the person who has the widest variety of training is more in-demand. The prestige that comes from being able to handle various patient populations can change an entry-level medical assistant into a must-hire advanced candidate.
Medical assistant careers aren’t limited to physician’s offices or hospitals. Those who have significant training in a particular field can move into more challenging careers, such as office management, or clinics that support a particular population or focus on a particular illness or medical issue. Ready to start working towards a career you can love? Contact the Allen School today! We are enrolling now for our spring classes and cannot wait for you to become part of the Allen School family. Visit www.allenschool.edu to learn more.
PERSONAL QUALITIES IN A MEDICAL ASSISTANT
Most of us have had the help and support of a Medical Assistant while visiting a hospital, or a physician’s office. However, in order to become a successful medical assistant, there are some basic qualities that a candidate should possess. Communication SkillsAmong most important medical assistant qualities are communication skills, as these are the basic characteristics for this profession. He/she should listen to the patients without interrupting them while they explain their concerns. But at the same time, he/she should still ask appropriate questions to the patients and get the suitable answers from them. These are some diplomatic ways to obtain the essential information from the patients in order to help the physician to treat the patients efficiently. Communication skills also involves clearly narrating the vital instructions given by the doctor to the patients. Also, a medical assistant should answer the questions of the patients effectively and unmistakably. CompassionateBesides being a good listener, it is very important that a medical assistant is compassionate to the patients. A medical assistant should try to understand the worries, happiness and other emotional states of the patients by discussing with them. Dealing the patients in a compassionate way will help them to feel more comfortable and relaxed at the time of their health assessment. Handling stressA physician’s office or a hospital is full of activity. The workplace can make a medical assistant feel quite stressed out. A medical assistant will have a lot of administrative and clinical duties to perform every day. At times, all of these work related stresses can contribute to the confusions and anxiety. On the other hand, patients visit a health care facility for appropriate care and treatment. It is the responsibility of the medical assistant to help them in a better way. So, a medical assistant should have the capability to overcome his daily stress level. He/she should be a tolerant and strong person in order to handle any stressful situations that he come across in his job. ReliabilityA medical assistant is expected to be a reliable person since the physician, the healthcare group associates and the incoming patients depends on the medical assistant to be reliable. Hence, a medical assistant should be punctual, career-focused and should value the conventional code of behavior. Honesty Among medical assistant traits, ‘honesty’ is the best policy for this lifetime career. The personal information that a medical assistant collects has to be maintained as a confidential in a healthcare setting. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)’s confidentiality rule need vigilance and care in maintaining the patient’s fitness information. However, it is also considered as a courteousness to behave trustworthy to the patients while receiving their health or personal information (even during informal conversation). Each and every medical assistant will be introduced to circumstances where they need to prove their ethical and moral characteristics on a daily basis. Hence, honesty is the chief quality to become a professional medical assistant. Willpower and PolitenessSometimes, there is a possibility to act in response to a tiring physician who is bursting with questions or to a disturbed patient who is under a lot of pain and ache. However, having strong willpower towards your personal feelings and dealings in a health care environment while still remaining polite is the unique medical assistant trait that is necessary for you as a good professional.If you possess the above-mentioned traits, then go ahead and join in a professional medical assistant training program that will give you all the essential courses required to become a successful medical assistant. Are you thinking about a new career as a medical assistant? If so, contact the Allen School today! We are enrolling now for our spring classes and cannot wait for you to become part of the Allen School family. Visit www.allenschool.edu to learn more. -ALLEN SCHOOLHow to Get Into a Medical Assistant Program After High School
If you’re looking for a rewarding career in healthcare that won’t take years to accomplish, you might consider becoming a medical assistant. This is a career you can enter with less than two years of education, so if you are able to imagine yourself assisting doctors and nurses at a clinic or hospital, this might be the right career path for you. Learn how to get into a medical assistant program after high school! Obtain Your High School Diploma or GED. The first step is to have your high school diploma or GED. Schools with health care programs will require you to have completed high school. Employers will also expect that you have this as a minimum for educational requirements. If you need to get your GED, there are practice tests available online to help you prepare for the real thing. Contact www.allenschool.edu to learn more. Once you have your diploma or GED, the world of medical assistant programs opens up to you! Choosing the Correct Medical Assistant Program. The best way to enter the field is to choose one of the available medical assistant programs offered in your area. You have a lot of options when it comes to your education. We have found, most students choose to do accelerated classroom-based programs with flexible scheduling and internships. Classroom based programs with internships are helpful for those who learn best through face-to-face interactions. This also gives you the chance to ask the instructor questions and discuss the material with other students. On internship you will be working in the clinical environment with the benefit of getting “real world” hands on experience. Consider Becoming Certified. Becoming a Certified Medical Assistant will look great on a resume and increase your chances of finding employment. Once you’ve completed a medical assistant program, the next step is sign up to take the test through the American Association of Medical Assistants. The test is offered several times throughout the year. You will also need to complete an application to be considered for your certification. Contact www.allenschool.edu to learn more. Choose Your New Path Today! Now that you know how to get into a medical assistant program after high school, your next step is choosing the right one for you. Ready to start working towards a career you can love? Contact the Allen School today! We are enrolling now for our spring classes and cannot wait for you to become part of the Allen School family. Visit www.allenschool.edu to learn more.-Allen School