Positive patient experiences are no accident. For every happy client, there’s someone behind the scenes working hard to deliver compassionate care. National Medical Assistants Day recognizes the contributions of the country’s quarter-million medical assistants and counting. These unsung heroes are the backbone of modern medicine. Join us as we celebrate their achievements!

What Is Medical Assisting?

Medical assisting is an allied health profession. It’s not a new field, it’s been recognized as an occupation since 1955. But what exactly do medical assistants do? There are many types of support specialists working in the healthcare field, and the lines between them are often blurred. Let’s take a closer look at the role.

Medical assistants perform a wide range of clinical and administrative tasks in a medical office. They’re neither nurses nor administrators, yet their responsibilities overlap. Jacks-of-all-trades, they bridge the gap between the office and the exam room, serving as liaisons between patients and licensed providers. Full members of the healthcare team, they make a noteworthy contribution to the quality of healthcare. Their many responsibilities include:

• Managing the clinical schedule
• Triaging phone calls
• Rooming patients
• Taking vital signs
• Recording health histories
• Assisting with exams
• Phlebotomy
• Giving immunizations
• Performing diagnostic tests
• Troubleshooting administrative issues
• Billing and coding
• Ordering medical supplies
• Infection control
• Patient education
• Managing medical records

The Role of the AAMA

Medical assistants have come a long way since 1955. Today, most have a vocational school diploma or an associate’s degree plus certification that, like a professional license, ensures they’re competent in their role.

Healthcare has become a complex, evolving field that requires both training and continuing education. Established in 1956, the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) is the only organization devoted exclusively to supporting the professional interests of medical assistants.

From backing legislation that acknowledges their abilities to offering courses that help them stay on top of developments in the field, they serve medical assistants and the community. In 2016, they spearheaded efforts to recognize the value of certified medical assistants by proclaiming October 20th as Medical Assistants Day and planning events that call attention to the profession.

Why Are Medical Assistants Special?

Medical assistants are special for what they do, but it’s how they do it that’s worth celebrating. National Medical Assistants Day recognizes these many unique ways that medical assistants assist patients and their communities:

They Support

Medical assistants work side-by-side with doctors and nurses, bringing care to their neighbors. If the pandemic has underscored anything, it’s that frontline healthcare providers are the key to a healthy community.

Medical assistants perform a broad array of tasks that keep practices running smoothly, freeing up doctors to provide direct patient care. From scheduling tests and processing prescriptions to taking vital signs and submitting insurance claims, being a doctor would be almost impossible without medical assistants. They work harder so that no patient must wait to see a busy provider.

They Educate

Medical assistants are a patient’s first point of contact and a go-to source for clinical information. Under supervision, they educate clients about their plan of care, standing in for providers when they’re busy. They teach timely topics from medication safety to heart health, helping patients to understand their doctor’s advice. And going forward, they will have an even greater educational role.

The healthcare system in the US is expanding, and primary care providers are serving as a portal through which patients can obtain public health services. It’s a new way of doing business that should improve the accessibility and efficiency of healthcare, but it’s going to take a small army of support staff to serve everyone in need. Medical assistants can expect to play a critical part.

They Influence

Medical assistants set the tone for a patient’s visit. The warmth and professionalism with which they interact with people create a lasting impression that reflects positively on the entire practice. Clients who have good experiences with support staff are more likely to trust their providers. Having a friendly working rapport with a medical assistant gives clients confidence that their needs are a priority and sets the stage for a productive long-term relationship.

They Advocate

Doctors have more to do most days than they can realistically accomplish, so they have to prioritize. They depend on medical assistants to triage phone calls, take accurate messages, and bring patients’ concerns to their attention.

Medical assistants have the training necessary to differentiate between problems that need immediate attention and those that can wait. But they may also be aware of unusual circumstances in their patients’ lives that have an impact on how, when and where they receive care. Knowing the big picture, they can advocate on the patient’s behalf to ensure their needs are met.

They Care

Medical assistants are the human connection in an often cold healthcare system. Their greatest skill is interacting with patients, getting to know them well and understanding their medical needs. Without them, patients could easily be lost trying to navigate a complex web of processes and protocols. Medical assistants serve as guides, ensuring no one is left behind.

How Can You Become a Medical Assistant?

Medical assistants once received the training they need on the job. But their role has changed and with it, the education requirements. Employers prefer to hire graduates with proven skills. Enrolling in an accredited vocational school program is the shortest path to becoming a medical assistant.

The AAMA became the official accrediting agency for medical assisting programs in 1974, ensuring comprehensive education for students. Today, there are hundreds of programs nationwide, a testament to their success.

Diploma programs include classroom instruction in:

• Anatomy and physiology
• Pharmacology
• Laboratory science
• Administration procedures
• Billing and coding
• Medical law and ethics
• Client care

Students enjoy supervised work experiences in off-campus clinical settings, and preparation for national certification is included. Students are well-prepared for entry-level roles and well-positioned for career advancement. Vocational schools excel at helping their graduates find their dream jobs.

The Benefits of Becoming a Medical Assistant

Medical assistants contribute greatly to the healthcare community. But as an industry, medicine also has a lot to offer job seekers with compassionate hearts and enthusiasm for wellness. Life’s too short to be unhappy with what you do, so if you’re looking for a better career, consider the many benefits of becoming a medical assistant:

Benefit #1: A Quick Start

Jobs in healthcare can take years to train for, but full-time students can graduate from a medical assisting program in months. For adults with financial responsibilities at home, it’s an ideal way to fulfill their educational aspirations without breaking the bank.

Benefit #2: Excitement

There’s never a dull moment in healthcare. A medical assistant’s job is predictable enough not to be stressful, yet no two days are ever alike. You’ll see unusual cases, meet intriguing people and be among the first to learn about the latest medical advancements.

If you enjoy a challenge, there are opportunities to roll up your sleeves and make a difference every day. You’ll work hard as a medical assistant, but there’s always something new to learn. You’ll never be bored.

Benefit #3: A Team Environment

Medical assistants are valued members of the healthcare team. Dedicated to patient care, they work in a mutually supportive work environment in which their skills are recognized and their opinions matter. You’ll enjoy the encouragement and camaraderie of like-minded peers that share your core values about work.

Benefit #4: Personal Fulfillment

You can help others in any job, but few professions are as impactful as medical assisting. If what you do now doesn’t fulfill you, the work you’ll do in healthcare will matter. You’ll make personal connections that will last a lifetime and reward you far beyond a paycheck. Few roles that you can train for in less than a year are this meaningful.

Benefit #5: Job Security

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a growth of 18 percent in the medical assisting field through 2030. There’s a major healthcare expansion on the horizon in America, and many more medical assistants are needed to meet demand.

In the last two decades, dozens of professions have disappeared, replaced by advancing technology. But healthcare will always need a human touch.

Benefit #6:  A Positive Work-Life Balance

Burnout is high among full-time workers stuck in jobs that consume their lives. But most medical assistants work regular Monday through Friday hours with evenings, weekends, and major holidays off. On-call responsibilities are rare, so if you have kids or aging parents at home depending on you, you can earn while knowing your job won’t impact your family life. Being a medical assistant is both practically and emotionally rewarding.

Benefit #7:  Professional Respect

Medical assistants hold positions of trust. The public recognizes their dedication and appreciates what they do. Colleagues respect their skills and treat them as professional equals. If you’re underutilized and underappreciated in your current position, you’ll be respected as a medical assistant.

Final Thoughts

Medical assistants are the allied health professionals of choice for private practices, and opportunities are growing in hospitals, clinics, and other medical facilities. One of the nation’s fastest-growing careers, it’s a secure, rewarding way to be part of a vibrant industry. Enroll in a program today and next October, you will be celebrated on National Medical Assistants Day.

Meridian College offers hands–on Medical Assistant training from experienced school faculty who know how to prepare you for the daily challenges you’ll face on the job. From assisting doctors with patients to important administrative tasks, our experienced Medical Assistant program teachers will train you for a rewarding new career.

In addition to receiving training from school instructors with real-world experience, you will also complete a school externship in a physician’s office, clinic, or related healthcare facility under the supervision of a physician, nurse, or health services professional to further develop your skills.

Contact Meridian College today to learn more about becoming a medical assistant.