Medical Office PersonnelMedical Assistant |
|
Career data updated last on 9/10/2014 | |
![]() |
Medical Assistants perform many tasks in physicians' offices or other medical settings. Duties vary from office to office and depends on office location, size and if a MA specializes or not. In small offices, most Medical Assistants handle both administrative and clinical duties and are considered generalists. Also, MAs in small offices tend to report directly to a physician, health practitioner or office manager. In larger offices, most Medical Assistants tend to specialize in a particular area report to department administrators or other operations management. Administratively, they may obtain patient information, perform medical transcription and handle billing. Clinical duties may include preparing a patient for examination, taking vital signs (pulse, temperature and blood pressure), helping with examinations and performing routine laboratory procedures. |
Salary | $16.52 hourly- $34,370 annually |
Significant Points | Medical assisting is one of the nation's fastest growing careers through 2012, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. Job prospects will be best for medical assistants with formal training or experience, and particularly those with certification. |
Specializations | Podiatric medical assistants make castings of feet, expose and develop x rays, and assist in podiatrists in surgery. Ophthalmic medical assistants help ophthalmologists provide medical eye care; conduct diagnostic tests, measure and record vision, and test eye muscle function. They show patients how to insert, remove and care for contact lenses; apply eye dressings. They may administer eye medications under care of the physician and they maintain optical and surgical instruments. They may also assist the ophthalmologist in surgery. |
Work Environment | Medical assistants are employed by physicians' offices, health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and other medical settings. They work with doctors, nurses and other personnel and may supervise medical secretaries and clerks. |
High School Prep | A high school diploma or equivalent is required. Courses in mathematics, biology and typing are recommended. |
Academic Requirements | Education is available from an accredited medical assisting program. This program must be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). The curriculum covers anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, medical law and ethics, administrative, examination room, and laboratory procedures, medical record management and other related topics. Graduates of accredited programs are eligible to take the certification examination given by the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants. Certification is not mandatory in Colorado, but some employers may require it. They prefer to hire experienced certified workers, indicating that the medical assistant meets certain standards of competence. |
Schools/Organizations
- Anthem College
-
Associate
- Arapahoe Community College
-
Associate
On-line program available
-
Certificate
On-line program available
- Argosy University
-
Associate
- Colorado Technical Univeristy-Online
-
Associate
On-line program available
- Colorado Technical University-Denver North Campus
-
Associate
- Colorado Technical University-Denver South Campus
-
Associate
- Emily Griffith Opportunity School
-
Certificate
- Everest College-Aurora Campus
-
Certificate
- Everest College-Colorado Springs Campus
-
Certificate
- Everest College-Thorton Campus
-
Certificate
- Front Range Community College Boulder Campus
-
Associate
- Heritage College
-
Certificate
- Institute of Business & Medical Careers
-
Certificate
- IntelliTec College-Grand Junction
-
Associate
- Kaplan University-Online
-
Associate
On-line program available
- National American University-Colorado Springs Camp
-
Associate
- National American University-Denver Campus
-
Associate
- Pikes Peak Community College
-
Associate
- Pima Medical Institute-Colorado Springs Campus
-
Certificate
- Pima Medical Institute-Denver Campus
-
Certificate
- Red Rocks Community College
-
Associate
- Remington College-Colorado Springs Campus
-
Certificate
- Remington College-Denver Campus
-
Certificate
- Southwest Colorado Community College West Campus
-
Certificate
- Southwest Colorado Community College East Campus
-
Certificate
- Westwood College of Technology Denver-North Campus
-
Associate
- Westwood College of Technology Denver-South Campus
-
Associate
Return to Career Page