The medical industry needs skilled workers more than ever before. If you have considered getting involved in the medical field, you have many options. Two positions you may enjoy are medical assistant and medical office assistant. These two roles have many differences and similarities. But first, lets look into why you should get into healthcare.
Why Get into Healthcare?
The healthcare industry is growing at a rapid pace, and the projected growth for medical assistants is expected to rise by up to 18% in the next decade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. There are many reasons people choose to get involved in healthcare. If you have been considering your options, you have likely thought about some of the following.
Helping People
There are only a few careers that give you the joy of knowing you are helping others. Working in the healthcare industry allows you to help someone get healthier or even save their life. The reward of knowing you are making a difference is truly one of the reasons so many seek jobs in the healthcare industry.
Making a Difference in Your Community
A healthy community is a happy community. As a healthcare worker, you make a difference in your community. Working in the healthcare industry nurtures your desire to make a real difference, regardless of how big or small the difference may be.
Opportunities for All
One of the best reasons to get involved in the healthcare industry is the amount of employment opportunities available. You don’t have to spend 10 or more years becoming a doctor, however you still have upward mobility as a medical assistant or medical office assistant.
Exciting Work Atmosphere
There is never a dull moment working as a healthcare worker. You always have something to experience and enjoy. The healthcare field is dynamic and exciting. Every day is a challenge.
What Does a Medical Assistant Do?
As a medical assistant, your job duties will vary based on the environment you are working in. You perform some tasks related to patient care, escorting them to the exam room, and record the patient’s information in their chart.
Medical assistants work in hospitals, doctor’s offices, and many other healthcare facilities. A medical assistant’s duties may include:
- Recording patient information, including health history, medications and other important health information.
- Taking a patient’s vital signs, including their blood pressure, respiration rate and temperature.
- Assisting the doctor with all patient examinations.
- Scheduling patient appointments, answering questions, greeting patients and many other patient related tasks.
- Performing phlebotomy to take a blood sample from patients and prepare it for the laboratory.
What Does a Medical Office Assistant Do?
Unlike medical assistants, medical office assistants do not perform patient care. They work in the offices of doctors, hospitals, dentists, and other healthcare facilities and manage the clerical aspects of the job.
Medical office assistants answer the phone for the healthcare facility, schedule patient appointments and do other administrative tasks including:
- Greet patients that come into the office, answer patient questions and assist patients in filling out any paperwork.
- Answer the phone, schedule patient appointments, direct calls to the right employees, and take messages for the doctors and nursing staff.
- Inform doctors and other medical staff of any appointments
- Ensure a filing system is maintained for all patient records.
- Answer and send emails as required.
- Handle insurance forms, billing, and manage all vendors and contractors.
- Handle inventory and taking care of orders.
- Transcribe notes and documents related to patient treatments.
What Are the Differences Between a Medical Assistant vs Medical Office Assistant?
Now that you understand what each of these healthcare careers entails, it is important to consider the differences between the two. Consider the following differences to decide which one is right for you.
Skill Focus
One of the primary differences between a medical assistant and a medical office assistant is their skill focus. Medical assistants focus primarily on clinical care for patients. While they perform some clerical tasks, their main focus involves patient care. On the other hand, a medical office assistant’s job is clerical. While they interact with patients, they do not perform any patient care. They work behind the scenes, handling paperwork, phone calls, and patient records.
Contact With Patients
Another key difference between the two career choices is the level of contact with patients. A medical assistant spends a lot of one-on-one time with patients. They perform some aspects of the examination process, such as recording the patient’s vital signs. While a medical assistant may handle some degree of phone contact with patients, they care for patients in person. A medical office assistant does not involve themselves in any level of patient examination. While they may greet patients, assist them with paperwork, and answer their questions, medical office assistants do not enter the exam room or perform any treatments.
Role Importance
When it comes to the differences between the two career choices, it is important to note that both roles are highly important for patients. Both careers help patients ensure they receive the care they need. You can think of a medical assistant as being the ambassador of the medical facility. They assist doctors and nurses, ensuring patients receive the vital healthcare they require.
A medical office assistant should be considered the backbone of the healthcare facility. The medical office assistant is often the first contact a patient will experience in the healthcare facility and thus they keep things running smoothly, ensuring there are no hiccups in the process of providing patient care.
Education
There is also a difference in the length of education between the two. While both programs can be completed in a matter of months, a medical assistant must go to school a little longer than medical office assistants.
How Do You Become a Medical Assistant or Medical Office Assistant?
If you are considering either of these healthcare career choices, you have options of getting a degree or diploma. The best and easiest way to get your degree or diploma a is through a vocational school program that is geared toward your career choice. There are many benefits to attending a vocational school.
What Are the Benefits of Attending a Vocational School?
These are the many benefits available to those attending a vocational school. From a complete curriculum to career services and everything in between, attending a vocational school prepares you for your first day as a medical assistant or medical office assistant.
Benefit #1: A Complete Curriculum
You will receive the full curriculum and instruction you need to obtain a career in either employment field. You will be instructed by industry leaders who are experts in their fields, as they offer you one-on-one attention, answering all your questions and guiding you through to graduation.
Benefit #2: Learn from Your Mistakes
In a vocational school, you will be allowed to make mistakes and learn from them without getting discouraged in your education and training. Learning from your mistakes will allow you to make better decisions before you care for an actual patient.
Benefit #3: You Will Receive Hands-On Experience
There is no better way to learn than doing the tasks that will be required on the job. Vocational school settings give you the unique opportunity to learn in multiple ways. You will receive hands-on learning opportunities in labs and through externships. These externships are also a great resume starter, to show prospective employers that you know what you are doing and have the experience to prove it.
Benefit #4: Industry Experts Teach the Courses
What better way to learn about becoming a medical assistant or medical office assistant than learning from industry experts? Get one-on-one attention, rather than being a face in the crowd of a large lecture hall.
Benefit #5: You Have Access to Career Services
Gaining employment after you graduate is your number one goal. As a vocational school student, you will have access to career services that will help you gain employment in your chosen healthcare field. They will match you with job opportunities that mirror your passions and knowledge. Also enjoy resume building, mock interviews and job fairs that further secure a job after graduation.
Final Thoughts
If you have been wanting to start working in the healthcare industry and have been considering your options, you may want to think about becoming a medical assistant or medical office assistant. With healthcare workers in demand, now is a great time to get started on your career. You can start working in a variety of healthcare facilities, work on a dedicated team, and enjoying every day on the job as you help patients receive the medical care they need. Start learning today and earning tomorrow.
Medical Assisting Program
Meridian College offers hands–on Medical Assistant training from experienced school faculty who know how to prepare you for the daily challenges you’ll face on the job. From assisting doctors with patients to important administrative tasks, our experienced Medical Assistant program teachers will train you for a rewarding new career.
In addition to receiving training from school instructors with real-world experience, you will also complete a school externship in a physician’s office, clinic, or related healthcare facility under the supervision of a physician, nurse, or health services professional to further develop your skills.
Contact Meridian College today to learn more about becoming a medical assistant or medical office assistant.