How Important are Medical Assistants in Healthcare?

Interested in a career in healthcare? Consider becoming a medical assistant (MA). Medical assistants are a versatile and valuable addition to any healthcare facility. MA’s help clinics, private practices, and hospitals run smoothly by providing clinical and administrative support. They can also improve workflow and increase patient satisfaction.

Medical Assistants Set the Tone 

Medical assistants are often the first ones we see when we visit a doctor’s office or clinic. They can set the tone for the whole patient experience and play key roles in delivering quality care. An MA can provide encouraging and comforting support to patients and medical staff. A medical assistant’s mood and communication skills help put a patient or their family member at ease. This kind of work is great for people who love patient care and making personal connections.

Medical Assistants are Multi-Tasking Experts 

Medical assistants are unique because they’re trained to handle clinical and administrative duties. They wear many hats and have a wide variety of daily responsibilities. Depending on the size and type of practice, MA’s may help with the management of the front office and patient care in the back office. 

A typical day might begin by preparing for patients to arrive by organizing medical charts and getting treatment rooms ready for patient examinations. Throughout the day, an MA might go back and forth from checking in patients, filling out paperwork, answering phones and scheduling appointments in the front office, to measuring and recording patient vital signs, interviewing patients, recording medical histories, and assisting the physician with medical procedures in the back office. 

Medical Assistants Improve Efficiency 

As a medical assistant, you’ll be front and center with both patients and medical professionals, ensuring that the facility runs smoothly. Medical assistants support both the physician in running their practice, as well as caring for patients. They also help bridge the gap between patients and physicians. Medical assistants play a vital role in checking the patient’s understanding of their visit by answering questions and explaining complex medical procedures in simple terms that are easy for everyone to understand. This helps prevent medication and aftercare errors, keeping patients safer. 

Medical Assistants Support Follow Up Care

Medical assistants help patients keep in touch with their healthcare professional. Since MA’s are often involved with the administrative side of the practice, they can check up on patients who missed appointments, schedule follow up visits, relay important information to the physician, and assist patients who are being referred to a specialist for further care. 

Medical Assistants Ensure Quality Control 

Medical assistants are responsible for ensuring quality control. They interact with patients, insurance providers, and medical professionals, so it’s critical they maintain an environment of privacy, confidentiality, and professionalism, while still providing a positive experience for everyone involved. 

Medical assistants are diligent workers who are always on the lookout for identifying errors within patient care, scheduling, and billing. Communication skills, problem solving, critical thinking, being organized, and attention to detail are good skills to have for those interested in becoming a medical assistant. 

Becoming a Medical Assistant 

Medical assistants play an important role in making one’s healthcare experience as safe, organized, and comfortable as possible. Ready to start your new and exciting career as a medical assistant? The medical assisting program at Athena Career Academy is designed to prepare students for fast-paced changes in the healthcare industry by teaching them the skills needed to excel in the world of medical assisting. Contact us today for enrollment information.