Careers in healthcare are always in great demand. Considered front-line workers, those with jobs in the medical field are essential employees.
Pharmacy technicians, medical billers and coders, and medical office specialists can all find employment in hospitals.
But, what about medical assistants? Can medical assistants work in hospitals or are they limited to offices and clinics?
Do Hospitals Use Medical Assistants?
Do hospitals hire medical assistants? Now more than ever, hospitals have an ongoing need for trained and competent medical assistants.
Medical assistants can have their choice of what specific role they would like to play in a hospital environment. Furthermore, they can work in either clinical or clerical positions in public, private, and military hospitals or do some of both.
Because medical assistants help doctors, nurses, and physical and occupational therapists do their jobs, wherever these professionals are employed, medical assistants must also be employed.
Overall, the job market is wide open for medical assistants right now.
What do Medical Assistants do in a Hospital?
The job of a medical assistant working in a hospital depends on whether his or her main duties are clinical or clerical in nature. There can also be some crossover between the two areas.
Clinical medical assistants may do some or all of the following:
- Measuring and recording vital signs like blood pressure, temperature, and heart rate
- Administering pharmaceuticals to patients
- Assisting patients with hygienic care and mobility
- Giving injections
- Changing dressings
- Removing stitches
- Assisting physicians with patient examinations
- Helping physical and occupational therapists
- Preparing blood samples for the laboratory
- Ordering prescriptions from the hospital pharmacy
Medical assistants who are in a clerical role will probably do the following tasks:
- Record patient information
- Manage electronic health records
- Instruct patients about special diets and post-hospitalization care
- Fill out insurance forms
- Work in billing
- Help in registering and discharging patients
- Schedule follow-up appointments
- Manage the inventory of medical supplies
- Communicate with patients and their families
Can Medical Assistants Work in the ER?
After hospitals hire medical assistants, can these assistants work in the ER? Hospital medical assistants may work in primary care, administration, or emergency departments.
In the ER, medical assistants are required to support incoming patients as well as the emergency team. Overall, the medical assistant is paramount to getting patients the care and comfort they need in emergency situations.
The duties of medical assistants working in the ER include the following:
- Transporting patients
- Preparing examination areas
- Checking patients\’ vital signs
- Drawing blood and analyzing blood work
- Conducting routine medical tests
- Developing x-rays
- Helping patients to remain calm in frightening situations
It is also important to note that an emergency room could not operate as efficiently as it needs to without medical assistants on staff around the clock.
How to Get a Medical Assistant Hospital Job
Now that you know that many hospitals hire medical assistants, you may be wondering how to get the job. Getting a job as a medical assistant in a hospital in Texas requires post-secondary education and training.
Candidates are required to study anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, phlebotomy and lab procedures, pharmacology, diseases of the human body, electronic health records, medical law and ethics, customer service, communication, clinical skills, word processing, and electrocardiography (EKG).
Required Skills for Medical Assistants in Hospitals
Required skills for employment include attention to detail for accurately measuring and recording vital signs and noting patient histories and other information.
Technical skills are also important for using basic clinical instruments used in measuring blood pressure, heart rates, and drawing blood.
Analytical skills are also helpful for understanding medical charts and diagnoses as well as coding a patient\’s medical procedures for billing. Additionally, interpersonal skills are necessary for interacting with patients who may be in distress and for discussing patient information with other medical personnel.
Furthermore, certifications in clinical medical assistance, medical administrative assistance, phlebotomy, CPR, EKG, word processing, and electronic health records are helpful and necessary in most job opportunity situations.
Also, medical assistants who work in a hospital may be required to work nights, weekends, and holidays. The potential for overtime is also quite good.
Those interested in this career field must be patient with a caring demeanor. Furthermore, clinical medical assistants have a lot of contact with patients, so they need to have a good attitude and be trustworthy.
Clerical medical assistants must also be able to answer questions and put patients\’ minds at ease. All medical assistants must have the ability to work as part of a team but be comfortable managing tasks on their own.
It is also important to note that working in an emergency room requires medical assistants who can handle a stressful and fast-paced environment.
Hospitals Hiring Medical Assistants in Texas
Hospitals throughout Texas are in need of trained medical assistants. The following healthcare facilities in San Antonio often post job openings:
Medical assisting in a Texas hospital is a good job for the right person. Those working in the field enjoy job security, growth potential, and the ability to find employment in a variety of settings. Job settings include doctor\’s offices, dental offices, clinics, long-term care facilities, hospitals, emergency rooms and more.
If you are looking for purpose and meaning in your life and the freedom to find meaningful work, begin your training as a medical assistant at Southern Careers Institute today.
Medical Assistant Program in TX
The medical assistant training program at SCI takes approximately 36 weeks to complete with full-time enrollment. Graduates are then fully prepared to sit for certifications.
The program is offered online and at the Austin, Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Harlingen, Pharr, San Antonio-North, San Antonio-South, and Waco campuses.
So, what are you waiting for? Contact our admissions office at 1.833. SCI.TEXAS today to get on the road to a career that makes a difference.
Counselors are standing by to help with enrollment, financial assistance, and class scheduling.
Once you graduate, you get access to our Student Career Services where you can get help with resume development, interviewing techniques, job readiness training, and many more valuable services.
Through our Employer Partner Service, we match employers with competent students who are ready to fill their necessary roles.
Sources
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm#tab-2
- https://medical-assistant.us/can-a-medical-assistant-work-in-a-hospital/
- https://www.universityhealthsystem.com/careers
- https://www.joinmethodist.com/
- https://hhs.texas.gov/services/mental-health-substance-use/state-hospitals/san-antonio-state-hospital
Blog Disclaimer: Information stated in this blog is for general information purposes only. SCItexas.edu does not assume or guarantee income earning potential or salary expectations based on the programs offered at Southern Careers Institute. Career and program information stated in this blog does not guarantee that programs and specifics are offered at Southern Careers Institute.
