Medical Assisting Services Careers

Medical Assisting Career Paths

Medical assistants can choose employment that best suits their strengths. For medical assistants who excel at clerical duties (or find they do not enjoy working around blood), an administrative role would make use of their organizational, detail-oriented and computer skills. For those who wish to provide direct patient care, a clinical role would be the best path as they may collect lab specimens, explain medical procedures and medications to patients, and record vital signs (duties vary according to state law). Or, the medical assistant may wish to incorporate both clinical and administrative duties into their daily work routine and therefore choose to work in a smaller office that requires a medical assistant who can perform both functions. Position titles for medical assistants include:

• Medical Assistant
• Medical Records Clerk
• Medical Office Assistant
• Medical Secretary
• Medical Administrative Assistant
• Medical Clerk

Graduates of the Herzing University medical assisting services programs will also have knowledge of medical billing and reimbursement (including Medicare and Medicaid) and will be able to perform those duties as well.

Work Environment

Medical assistant careers typically include a 40-hour work week with full benefits (such as 401(k), paid vacation, and medical/dental insurance), although part-time and weekend shifts are often available. About 73% of medical assistants build careers in general practice or specialty physicians’ offices while 12% work in hospitals; the remainder are employed by other patient-care facilities such as long-term care homes and outpatient clinics.