During a pandemic, Medical Assistants are front-line essential employees in the healthcare field. These in-demand healthcare workers are vital to any operation that is in charge of treating a large influx of patients who are in various stages of a highly infectious illness.
If you are looking for a new job in the medical field that is secure but doesn’t require a 4-year degree or if you have already been in search of training as a medical assistant, Southern Careers Institute can help. We feature an accredited medical assistant training program that thoroughly prepares graduates for certification and employment in as little as 36 weeks.
Medical Assistant Duties
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assistants handle the administrative and clerical jobs connected to patient care in hospitals, healthcare facilities, and physicians’ offices. This first point of contact position is extremely important especially during a pandemic. This is because additional trained medical personnel is often at a premium.
The medical assistant’s main duties include the following:
- Recording patients’ medical history and personal information
- Measuring vital signs such as temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, and weight
- Helping physicians with examinations
- Giving injections and administering medications as directed by physicians and permitted by state law
- Preparing laboratory samples
- Managing medical records
- Scheduling patient appointments and follow-ups
Jobs
What are some medical assistant jobs? Administrative medical assistants code patients’ medical information and fill out insurance and other pertinent forms. They must also be competent in word processing software and electronic health records management.
Clinical medical assistants participate in a variety of tasks. They draw blood and collect other samples, change dressings, remove stitches, prepare patients for x-rays, dispose of contaminated supplies, sterilize equipment, and instruct patients in at-home care and special diets.
The medical assistant’s job during a pandemic is important not only for helping patients in getting care but in tracking cases as well. Their efforts greatly help in treating those who are already infected. And they help flatten the curve of new cases.
Medical Assistant Certification in Texas
In Texas, medical assistants are certified through the state medical board. In addition to the Certified Medical Assistant credentials, graduates of a medical assistant training program are eligible to sit for various certification examinations. These include phlebotomy technician, EKG technician, medical administrative assistant, electronic health records specialist, CPR, and Microsoft Word.
Training for these certifications includes coursework in various subjects. These include anatomy and physiology, electronic health records, EKG, CPR, phlebotomy, diseases of the human body, lab procedures, medical terminology, medical law, pharmacology, medical billing, clinical skills, communication, and customer service. At Southern Careers Institute, students can complete their studies and be ready to sit for certification exams in 36 weeks, with full-time enrollment.
Medical Assistant Training at Southern Careers Institute
Medical assistants are in great need during a pandemic. If you are ready to start on the path to your new career as a medical assistant, contact Southern Careers Institute today. Our medical assistant training program is offered at the Austin, Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Harlingen, Pharr, Waco, San Antonio-South, and San Antonio-North campuses.
Sources:
- https://southerncareer.wpengine.com/medical-assistant/
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm#tab-2
- https://medical-assistant.us/cma-texas/
- https://medicalstaffnow.org/
- https://southerncareer.wpengine.com/
This article was published on: 07/21/20 4:00 AM
* SCI does not guarantee employment or a starting salary upon graduation, completion, or withdrawal from SCI. As an accredited post-secondary institution, SCI has various federal financial assistance programs available for students who qualify and are enrolled in SCI programs. This does not apply to seminar students.
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