Become the Best Medical Assistant You Know

Posted On June 30,2021

Working as a medical assistant can be extremely satisfying. Medical assistants have the opportunity to perform a multitude of duties in a variety of settings, from scheduling patients in a physician’s office to assisting with minor surgery at a clinic. However, this means a medical assistant career can be just as challenging as it is rewarding. It can be mentally and physically stressful if you are not prepared.

If you are looking to become a certified medical assistant, you should be aware of the skills and traits successful medical assistants have in order to excel in this field. You might be pleasantly surprised to learn you’ve already mastered some of these.

Medical Assistant Skills

A job as a medical assistant is a great way to enter the healthcare field. But what skills are needed to land a job?

Doctors’ offices, clinics, and hospitals want to hire medical assistants who already have the skills needed to safely treat patients and run the office. These skills fall into three categories: basic office skills, administrative skills, and clinical skills.

Basic Office Skills

Medical assistants are relied upon to keep things running smoothly in a medical office. They need basic office skills typical of assistants in offices in any field. Medical assistants should be ready, willing, and able to work in reception answering phone calls and scheduling appointments. They may also be expected to process medical billing, complete and file medical charts, keep records, and transcribe dictation.

Medical Administrative Skills

A great medical assistant should have strong medical administrative skills. These include:

Scheduling
Appointment setting
Customer service
Electronic medical records
Medical coding
Patient flow
Computer literacy
Telephone skills
Communication
Multitasking

Medical assistants should also be fluent in medical terminology as other duties may include taking medical histories, educating patients about procedures, and/or negotiating managed care contracts.

Learn More about our CMA Program

Clinical Skills

Medical assistants are regularly expected to provide simple medical care under the direction of doctors. Knowledge of several clinical skills makes proper training imperative. These include:

Patient care
Vital signs measurement
Injections
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
Electrocardiogram (EKG)
Phlebotomy
Patient preparation
Life support
Medical terminology
Patient/family education

These are all skills that can be learned as part of an accredited training program to become a certified medical assistant. Certifications increase the duties you are able to perform. Athena Career Academy offers MA training that can be completed in as little as 7 1/2 months.

Traits of a Great Medical Assistant

Some people innately have what it takes to be an amazing medical assistant. These are qualities and characteristics you already possess. For example:

Compassion & Empathy – Comforting patients and easing their anxiety will carry you far as a successful medical assistant.
Communication Skills – Strong interpersonal skills are a must in healthcare. You need to be able to effectively communicate with patients, as well as other healthcare professionals.
Work Well Under Pressure – Healthcare is an extremely fast-paced industry. You must expect the unexpected, and you never know when you will need to assist a patient experiencing a medical emergency.
Responsible – Anyone who works in healthcare must be reliable. Not following through on any task can put patients at risk.
Teamwork – Medical assistants are an important part of a group that is all working toward the common goal of providing quality care to patients.

Conclusion

If any of these attributes sound like you, a medical assistant career could be a perfect fit. Athena Career Academy trains medical assistants who rise to the top in their fields. We can teach you valuable skills to give you an edge while you fast-track your career.

Athena graduates are eligible to take a certification exam from the American Association of Medical Assistants after graduation. This certification makes you much more attractive to healthcare employers.

Contact Athena Career Academy today and start training to become a certified medical assistant.