How Long Does It Take to Become a Medical Assistant?

The core subjects in the program are anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, and pharmacology. These are the fundamental subjects you need to understand how the human body works and perform basic clinical tasks. You will also study medical coding, medical office administration, and lab and clinical procedure to work well with a team of healthcare professionals. Your job will include a combination of assisting with patient care and performing a variety of administrative tasks.

Students will learn:

• Medical Terminology
• Healthcare Writing
• Medical Coding and Billing
• Pathology and Physiology
• Introductory Pharmacology
• Administrative Procedures in Healthcare Settings
• Clinical Support Procedures for Hospital and Office Settings

While you can do some basic clinical tasks, like administering vaccinations and drawing blood, the physicians’ will conduct the examinations, treatments, or medication administration.

What Skills Do Medical Assistants Learn During a Vocational School Program?

There are many skills that a medical assistant learns during a vocational school program; communication and attention to detail to teamwork and beyond. Mastering these skills will help you succeed while working in a physician’s office.

Skill #1: Communication

Medical assistants need to communicate well, both verbally and in writing. Much of what a medical assistant does is talk with patients in person and over the phone. They also manage patient charts and write reports for physicians to review.

Part of good communication is active listening. Taking the time to hear what patients and coworkers say before responding will show that the medical assistant listens and wants to help. Trust must be built up between a medical assistant and patient, and with good communication, that bond can be forged.

Body language is also an essential communication tool, both how the medical assistant projects and how the patient reacts. For example, crossed arms can be a defensive posture, poor eye contact can be a sign of disinterest, and pointing can be offensive to some. Using proper body language and decoding a patient’s body language will speak volumes and help the medical assistant better help a patient understand what they say and what they may mean.

Skill #2: Attention to Detail

A medical assistant manages real patient information, vital signs, and medical histories. It is important for them to pay close attention to the specifics as even a small error can have dire consequences. For example, an incorrect medical code or forgetting to add an allergy may impair the physician’s decisions, causing unnecessary harm to a patient.

Skill #3: Time Management

A medical assistant only has so many hours in the day. A medical assistant that has good time management skills will know how to prioritize. Whether it is doing phone triage or making sure patients aren’t waiting too long for their appointment, a medical assistant needs to manage their time properly.

Skill #4: Problem Solving

Any workplace will have problems, whether an emergency patient or the practice runs out of supplies. It is up to the medical assistant to identify the problem and find the best solution for everyone involved. They can also work as a team to solve more complex issues.

Skill #5: Teamwork

The medical assistant is the backbone of the physician’s office. They are the liaison between the patient and the physician. The medical assistant is usually the first person a patient sees and the last person a patient sees when leaving. That means a medical assistant must work together with the medical office staff and physician to offer the proper care to the patient. In addition, the medical assistant must work well on the medical office’s team, keeping everyone up to date on the patient’s vital information. Without every cog in the machine working properly, the machine will fall apart.