At this present age, the medical assisting vocation is expanding fast. While others are beleaguered, this healthcare assisting job will continue to escalate for the coming years according to experts. The unceasing demand is due to the world's aging population and the advancement of the medical technology.
Those who are very much in demand are medical assistants who are highly skillful both in bookkeeping and clinical areas. Providentially, in this career getting certified or having a formal education is not required. On the positive note, having good grounding is beneficial for those who desire to advance in this career.
There are two possible advance career opportunities for medical assistants. Those who want to target on clinical responsibilities can advance to other medical positions such as registered nurses or physical assistants. And those who are interested in administrative and bookkeeping positions.
Cited underneath are some of the different career advancement options for medical assistants:
Licensed Practical Nurses
LPNS are staffs who care for the sick, elderly and injured. They work under direct supervision of doctors and nurses. They also acquire the patient's vital signs and do wound dressings. They also address the patients' call.
To practice as an LPN, you must present a copy of your high school certificate. Be a graduate from a practical nursing curriculum. Must have passed a national exam or a state licensing exam and had a complete supervised clinical work experience.
Cardiovascular Technologists
They assist doctors to detect problems in the cardiovascular system. They carryout diagnostic tests like electrocardiograms and echocardiograms. They are also accountable in operating a number of hospital's therapeutic equipments.
To become a cardiovascular technologist, one must complete an associate degree. Associate program will take two years to fulfill. Anatomy, chemistry and biology will be concluded on the first year of the curriculum and on the second year, students are taught on several types of diagnostic procedures.
Registered Nurses
RNs work in different settings - hospitals, nursing homes and doctors' clinic. They carryout diagnostic tests, provide advice and emotional support to the patients and their family members.
To become a registered nurse one must complete an education from a college or academy. Nurses should also pass the NCLEX before working in hospitals and other areas. Registered nurses must renew their license every two years.
Billing Clerks
A billing clerk compiles data, files and prepares account charges to patients. They also commune with patients about their bills and insurance policies. They also make preparations for patients who cannot afford hospital bills.
A high school certificate is the minimum requirement for billing clerks. However, those who have first-rate oral and written communication skills are favored by nearly all companies.
Medical Secretaries
They aid doctors in running the office smoothly and orderly. They also talk to patients about their conditions before referring them to the doctors. However, one of the main duties of medical secretaries is to transcribe dictations from doctors.
The requirements are a high school certificate, basic knowledge in medical terms and computer literate.
Emergency Medical Technicians
Emergency medical technicians or EMT takes care of the wounded or ill patients before they arrive at the hospitals. They do assessment and basic life support to patients.
Since they are dealing in emergency medical situations, they need to be trained and educated in the field. People who want to target this kind of career must register with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians and must pass its written and practical exams.
Medical assisting is very desirable these days not only because of the high remuneration but also because of the options for career expansion. With further trainings and additional program courses certainly medical assistants will have lots of possible routes for career advancement.
