What is a Medical Assistant Diploma?
Medical assistant education combines instruction in general office tasks and medical practice to produce a graduate that is specifically suited for administrative support work in a medical setting. Medical assistants must possess strong communicative skills, and suitably receive instruction in this field. A graduate with a medical assistant diploma also must know medical terminology and medical coding, and be able to perform basic medical tasks such as draw blood, take a blood pressure reading, administer medications and change dressings. Basic human anatomy and physiology are also integral knowledge for a medical assistant. Typical coursework for a medical assistant diploma contains the following:
- Anatomy and Physiology
- English Composition
- Medical Law and Ethics
- Clinical Competency
- Human Disease
- Medical Coding
- Pharmacology
- Medical Office Management
Why Get a Medical Assistant Diploma?
A medical assistant degree will prepare you for the fastest growing career in the country. Due to the highly accelerating growth of the healthcare industry, the demand for medical assistants to oversee the administrative operations of medical environments will skyrocket in the coming years. A medical assistant diploma will qualify you for these positions.
What Can One do With a Medical Assistant Diploma?
A medical assistant degree prepares you for a career providing administrative and basic medical support for a healthcare environment such as a physician's office, hospital, hospice care facility, primary care facility, nursing home, or similar facility. Medical assistants' duties are different according to the place of employment, but usually include administrative tasks such as answering phones, processing patients, billing, helping patients with insurance, and such tasks. Duties also include basic medical tasks such as drawing blood, taking vital signs, and administering medication.
How are Medical Assistants Compensated?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, (www.bls.gov), the median annual income for medical assistants in 2004 was about $25,000.
