Anyone who is considering a career as a medical assistant needs to get a pretty good idea of a medical assistant job description. A medical assistant job description is a good place to start. It’s important to know as precisely as possible how you will actually be spending your time.

A lot of potential lawyers are disappointed when they learn that they probably won’t be spending the largest part of their time in the courtroom brilliantly arguing their cases like Perry Mason. People considering careers as private investigators sometimes have visions of solving exciting crimes like Sherlock Holmes or Sam Spade. They might be disappointed to learn that much of their time is spent combing through public records or sitting in a car for hours watching a door that someone may or may not enter or exit.

Someone who wants to be a medical assistant should talk to people who are already working in the field. You shouldn’t talk to just one because every medical assistant job is different. They will all require the same skills and knowledge but how those skills are applied can vary widely.

Medical Assistant Job Description is Two Jobs

A career in medical assisting is essentially two careers. It is both clinical and administrative. If you love the health care field but you hate office work you might want to think twice. Likewise if you are a whiz with computers, printers, copiers, bookkeeping software, copiers and coffeemakers but really wish people would leave you alone, again a little extra thought might be in order.

However if you are the world’s greatest multi-tasker, love people, have great communication skills and are organized and efficient, medical assisting may be your dream career.

Medical Assistant Job Description Knowledge

Keyboarding and computer applications

Medical billing and insurance coding

Medical law and ethics

Medical terminology

Office practices

Record-keeping and accounting

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Medical Assistant Training: Time to Completion

A typical medical assistant training program, in which you’ll earn a certificate or diploma, generally takes 9 months to 1 year to complete.

Associate’s degree medical assistant training programs last 2 years and provide other general education curriculum, which can give you a great foundation for the future if you decide to go further in your education or career. Read more about medical assisting degrees and choose which one fits you best.

Medical Assistant Job Description School Accreditation

Regardless of where you complete your medical assistant training, make sure your school is accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies if you want medical assistant certification:

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)

Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)