Commencing a career in medical sciences as an assistant comes with a lot of responsibilities. You would have to take charge of management and supervision of chores and help the doctor write down prescriptions, laboratory test results, and even perform tasks similar to that of the physician. The levels of trainings for the assistant determine the amount of their responsibilities. Those who have degrees in master sciences have to deal with greater responsibilities. Your job would be more than merely being a back office assistant, but involve direct association with patients also. As an assistant, you may be given the duty of examining the patient at initial stages, or helping in certain surgical procedures as well. Some associated duties include:
- Check patients for symptoms
- Keep records of their medical history
- Regularly update charts
- File records
- Provide details on billing
- Handle their insurance claims
- And other related services
Becoming a successful medical assistant requires skills, which are not a part of the university science curriculum. You should have excellent organizational and communication skills to effectively handle patients. You should be prepared to work at odd hours, and handle emergencies.
There are different categories of programs available for becoming a medical assistant, which comprises one year certificate programs or a two year associate's degree. There are accredited schools which offer diploma courses in medical terminology, first aid, and other safety procedures. The two-year Physician's Assistant qualification and its affiliated master's degree program can help you attain higher professional qualifications.