Medical Assistants perform routine administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices and clinics of numerous health professionals running smoothly. Medical assistants should not be confused with Physician Assistants. Physician Assistants have expanded duties and actually examine, diagnose and treat patients under direct supervision of a physician. Duties vary from office to office and depends on office location, size and if a MA specializes or not. In small offices, most Medical Assistants handle both administrative and clinical duties and are considered ?generalists.? Also, MA's in small offices tend to report directly to a physician, health practitioner or office manager.



In medical group practices, most Medical Assistants tend to specialize in a particular area. Also, in large offices they may report to department administrators or other operations management. The job duties could vary by state. Most medical offices prefer graduates who graduated from an accredited medical assistant program. Accredited Medical Assisting programs are offered in postsecondary vocational schools, junior colleges, online educational services and distance education schools.

Formal training is not mandatory but recommended. Many students are now studying online at programs such as the medical assistant program at www.medassistant.org offered by St. Augustine School of Medical Assistants. Some high schools now even offer courses covering those needed and with the volunteering in a health care setting may provide enough education to begin a career in medical assisting.

Distance learning features a number of advantages over traditional campus based programs. The most relevant benefit involves the luxury of remaining in your home while studying and consequently avoiding the inconvenience of commuting to classes and adherence to rigid time schedules. Also, there is no waste of time or other resources in transport, commuting to a central location for each class. Other advantages of online classes include: the flexibility to study in any convenient location with an internet connection, quickly browse materials you have already mastered, and concentrate time and effort in areas containing new information. Study materials at a personal speed and intensity, without having to wait for slower pace of the average classroom. Distance learning features also offer flexibility for those with irregular work schedules while providing accessibility for those with restricted mobility (e.g., handicapped, injured, elderly) and accessibility for those with family responsibilities (e.g., parents with young children at home).

Medical Assistants deal with the public on a daily basis and must be neat and well groomed. Their working conditions are in well-lighted and very clean environments. Most Medical Assistants work a 40-hour work week and depending on where employed, may work nights and weekends. Employment of medical assistants is expected to grow much faster than average for all occupations through the year 2014 as the health care industry expands because of technological advances in medicine and the growth and aging of the population. Increasing utilization of medical assistants in the rapidly growing health care industry will further stimulate job growth. In fact, medical assistant jobs are projected to be one of the fastest growing occupations over the 2004-2014 period.

Employment growth will be driven by the increase in the number of group practices, clinics, and other health care facilities that need a high proportion of support personnel, particularly the flexible medical assistant who can handle both administrative and clinical duties. Medical assistants work primarily in outpatient settings, a rapidly growing sector of the health care industry. In view of the preference of many health care employers for trained personnel, job prospects should be best for medical assistants with formal training or experience,

The earnings of Medical Assistants vary, depending on their experience, skill level, and location. Median annual earnings of medical assistants were $24,610 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $20,650 and $28,930. Schools like St. Augustine School of Medical Assistants are often an excellent place for students to being their training and career studies to become a medical assistant.