Excel in Your Career as a Medical Assistant

One of the biggest industries in the US right now is the healthcare industry. There are many careers in healthcare beyond nurses and physicians, and all are in demand. Medical assistants aid healthcare providers in a variety of settings and assist with both administrative and clinical tasks. Currently, medical assisting is one of the fastest growing occupations, and the need is expected to grow in the future.

What Makes a Good Medical Assistant?

A good medical assistant may work in a doctor’s office, hospital, or other healthcare facility. They may focus on clinical tasks, administrative responsibilities, or a combination of both. However, good medical assistants have several things that are consistent.

Good Communication Skills

A significant part of a medical assistant’s job will be communicating with doctors, patients, families, and other healthcare workers. Medical assistants working on the administrative side often will need to communicate with insurance companies. It is crucial to communicate clearly and effectively, both in person, in writing, and on the phone.

Along with good communication skills, a good bedside manner is critical to putting patients at ease. Medical assistants are often the first person a patient will encounter, and to excel, patients need to feel comfortable when dealing with the medical assistant they are with. An ability to connect with patients can provide opportunities for advancement as well.

Team Player

Medical assistants need to be able to work together with the entire healthcare team. They need to have strong interpersonal skills.

Patients may ask questions that you don’t have the answers to, so working with the healthcare team to find those answers shows your willingness to collaborate.

Flexibility is often key in excelling in a career as a medical assistant. When you are willing to work with new physicians and nurses and can do so successfully, you will be seen as someone who is valuable to the practice.

Attention to Detail

Attention to detail is a must in the healthcare field. Patient records, recording vital signs, scheduling, and medication all require accuracy with little to no room for error. Steady hands are essential to medical assistants on the clinical side. They need to perform their skills with confidence and care to help provide the best outcome for the patient.

Flexibility and Willingness to Learn

Medical assistants are responsible for many different tasks in the healthcare field, and need to be ready, willing, and able to adapt to change. In addition, the healthcare field is always updating, and medical assistants need to be willing to update their learning to keep pace. Medical assistants who pick up new skills quickly are more likely to excel and advance in their careers.

Medical assisting can be a great way to enter the healthcare field, and is often a good jumping off point to advance into new roles with further education or internal promotions. With these qualities and skills, medical assisting can be an excellent career choice for you and we’d like to help you get started! Contact us today to learn more about our flexible training programs, and schedule a campus tour!