6 Tips for Becoming a Successful Medical Assistant

Medical assistants (MAs) help medical practices and facilities function the way they should. They perform a multitude of clinical and administrative tasks that make them a versatile and vital member of any healthcare team. If you’re wondering how to become a medical assistant, there are certain attributes and traits that can help you thrive and succeed in your career. Here are six tips for becoming a successful medical assistant:

1. Multitasking and Organizational Skills 

Fine tuning your multitasking and organizational skills is helpful in any career, but especially if you plan on becoming a medical assistant. Successful medical assistants organize and multitask without breaking a sweat. MAs have a long list of clinical and administrative duties that require multitasking without losing focus. Pivoting from one task to another is part of the job. 

When your to-do list is longer than your shift, having strong organizational skills can help ensure you set priorities to get important things done on time. 

2. Strong Communication Skills 

Communicating is a significant part of an MAs job. Medical assistants communicate with physicians, patients, and other medical staff to keep the office or facility running smoothly. MAs working on the administrative side may serve as the go between for physicians and patients or the physician and health insurance companies. MAs working on the clinical side communicate with patients and their family members to gather important background information and to keep them informed on medical procedures and follow up instructions from the physician. 

3. Being a Team Player 

As a medical assistant you will be part of a healthcare team. Others in your team, including physicians, nurses, office staff, and fellow MAs will rely on you to carry your own weight and do your job. If you shirk your responsibilities, someone must pick up the slack-your tasks don’t wait. Take your responsibilities seriously and put in the effort to be a proactive team player. If you see a task or need that isn’t being fulfilled, see where you can help. This kind of approach helps make you a valuable employee and a highly sought after medical assistant.

4. Having Compassion 

Compassion is a trait that successful medical assistants share. MAs are often responsible for ensuring patients are comfortable during their visit. Offering compassion and understanding of a patient’s concerns can go a long way towards their overall satisfaction with the care they receive. Medical assistants can take pride and comfort in knowing they helped change a patient’s life for the better. 

5. Maintaining a Positive Attitude 

Work is called work for a reason. Each day there will be tasks you don’t enjoy, changes you weren’t expecting, or challenges that arise. Rather than complaining, take a positive approach. Remember that handling problems is simply part of the job. Try to focus on the tasks that you do enjoy rather than focusing on the negative aspects. A positive attitude will inspire others around you to remain positive as well. 

6. Get the Best Training 

If you want to become a medical assistant and thrive in your career, it’s essential to attend the best training program you can find. Athena Career Academy is dedicated to fostering the necessary attributes, skills, and knowledge needed to succeed in a modern medical facility. 

There has never been a better time than now to begin your training to become a medical assistant as the demand for qualified medical assistants continues to rise each year. In addition to job security, you get the bonus of jumpstarting your new career quickly, as you can become a medical assistant in less than a year. Why wait? Contact Athena Career Academy today to discover the many benefits of an exciting, rewarding healthcare career, and to learn more about our no waitlist enrollment and flexible class schedules.