{"product_id":"2940013170391","title":"How to become a Medical Assistant 2011, Your Guide to One of the Fastest Growing Careers","description":"Introduction: Is Medical Assisting For You?\u003cbr\u003eAre you looking for a meaningful job?\u003cbr\u003eDo you like helping others?\u003cbr\u003eDo you have an interest in health and medicine?\u003cbr\u003eAre you a \"people person\"?\u003cbr\u003eAre you good at multitasking—switching tasks throughout the workday?\u003cbr\u003eDo you like variety in your job?\u003cbr\u003eWould you like to enter a career in an expanding field?\u003cbr\u003eIf you answered \"yes\" to any of these questions, then medical assisting could be the right career choice for you. Medical assistants enjoy an exciting career, working alongside physicians in medical offices and clinics, to help ensure the best possible care for patients.\u003cbr\u003eMedical assistants are in demand! \u003cbr\u003eMedical assisting is one of the nation's fastest growing careers, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. This can be attributed to a predicted surge in the number of physicians' offices and out-patient care facilities. Technological advancements and the growing number of elderly Americans who need medical treatment are also factors for the increased demand for medical assistants.\u003cbr\u003eSo... what do medical assistants actually do?\u003cbr\u003eMedical assistants have a great amount of variety in their jobs and are cross-trained to perform many administrative and clinical duties. Below is a quick overview of the types of tasks a medical assistant does during a typical workday. (Duties vary from office to office depending on location, size, and specialty.)\u003cbr\u003eAdministrative duties may include...\u003cbr\u003e• Using computer applications\u003cbr\u003e• Answering telephones\u003cbr\u003e• Greeting patients\u003cbr\u003e• Updating and filing patient medical records\u003cbr\u003e• Coding and filling out insurance forms\u003cbr\u003e• Scheduling appointments\u003cbr\u003e• Arranging for hospital admissions and laboratory services\u003cbr\u003e• Handling correspondence, billing, and bookkeeping\u003cbr\u003eClinical duties vary according to state law and include...\u003cbr\u003e• Taking medical histories\u003cbr\u003e• Explaining treatment procedures to patients\u003cbr\u003e• Preparing patients for examination\u003cbr\u003e• Assisting the physician during the exam\u003cbr\u003e• Collecting and preparing laboratory specimens\u003cbr\u003e• Performing basic laboratory tests \u003cbr\u003e• Instructing patients about medication and special diets\u003cbr\u003e• Preparing and administering medications as directed by a physician\u003cbr\u003e• Authorizing prescription refills as directed\u003cbr\u003e• Drawing blood \u003cbr\u003e• Taking electrocardiograms\u003cbr\u003e• Removing sutures and changing dressings\u003cbr\u003eMedical assistants give health care a human touch\u003cbr\u003eMedical assistants are instrumental in helping patients feel at ease in the doctor's office and often explain the physician's instructions. If you have good communication skills and are often appreciated for your caring manner, then you might be well suited for a career in medical assisting.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOccupational Description\u003cbr\u003eMedical assisting is a multi-skilled allied health profession; practitioners work primarily in ambulatory settings such as medical offices and clinics. Medical assistants function as members of the health care delivery team and perform administrative and clinical procedures.","brand":"EDT Publishing","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47082344775920,"sku":"2940013170391","price":4.75,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/2940013170391_p0.jpg?v=1763588876","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/2940013170391","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}