Skills and Qualities You Need to Be a Medical Assistant

Skills and Qualities You Need to Be a Medical AssistantSkills and Qualities You Need to Be a Medical AssistantMedical assistants work alongside doctors performing a wide variety of tasks including helping patients, performing minor procedures, and various administrative work. Medical assistants work mainly in facilities that handle outpatient procedures (or ambulatory care) as opposed to hospitals with larger, more specialized staff. While there is some overlap between medical assistants and other medical support staff (such as nursing assistants), medical assistants have a distinct role and skill platzset. Preparing for a Job as a Medical Assistant To become a medical assistant you must complete a training program, but you dont need a license. While your training will prepare you to do your job, understanding the skills youll need will help you prepare your resume and ?cover letter. Different employers may emphasize different skills when hiring staff, so be sure to read all job descriptions carefully. Be ready to provide examples of how you embody each skill because most likely your interviewer will ask you to provide explanations. Heres a look at the top five medical assistant skills youll need Basic Office Skills These sekretariat skills are similar to those done by an administrative assistant in any field. Youll need telephone courtesy, strong written and verbal communication, and strong customer service skills. You will have to handle billing and bookkeeping, and youll have to troubleshoot computer problems. If you have experience with a particular computer system or software, mention that in your resume. Microsoft Excel and Word skills are commonly needed. You will need writing skills to handle correspondence. Experience with specific phone systems, PC or Mac computers, and medical records management software may also be required. Medical Administrative Skills Medical administrative skills include monitoring inventories of medical supplies and re-ordering as needed, selecting the best suppliers by price and quality. Youll schedule patient appointments, arrange for hospital admissions, work with laboratory services, update patient records after exams and test results, and record medical histories. Youll also have to handle billing, which involves processing insurance forms, reconciling co-pays, resolving insurance billing problems, and advocating for patients with their insurance companies. Youll likely need to learn medical practice software and screen sales reps, as well. Medical Skills Medical assistants are not doctors or nurses but must provide simple medical and nursing care under the direction of doctors. Youll be asked to administer medications, give injections, apply dressings, draw blood, secure blood and urine samples, remove sutures, perform EKGs, and convey information and relay questions from doctors to patients and vice-versa. Youll prepare treatment rooms for patient examinations Youll arrange prescrip tion refills, perform accurate assessments of vital signs and possess basic life support (BLS) skills, such as CPR. Youll have to follow infection control and safety guidelines as well as quality control standards when sterilizing and setting up instruments, maintaining medical equipment, and preparing treatment rooms for patient examinations. When you apply for a job be sure to specify relevant certifications in these areas. Patient Interaction Medical assistants often work directly with patients. Because of this, you need a whole set of skills related to customer service and what is loosely called bedside manner. You will need to explain medical instructions, information and procedures in a clear, non-technical way and be able to receive, interview (and sometimes triage) patients. Youll receive patients and prepare them for exams. Youll also need to remain calm and supportive with distressed or difficult patients. Fluency in a second or third language is helpful. And of cours e, youll have to maintain confidentiality. When interviewing, be prepared to discuss specific experiences with patients and how you handled them, while maintaining patient confidentiality. Personal Qualities Emphasize the personal qualities you possess that make you the best person for the job youre applying for. To be a medical assistant, you have to be detail-oriented, committed to accuracy, empathic, and adaptable. Good interpersonal skills are a must. You must also be able to multitask. You should be well-organized, capable of prioritizing and problem-solving, and able to collaborate with teammates. You must be an active listener. Possessing manual dexterity and speaking a foreign language are helping things to mention. You must know your own limitations in order to take care of yourself and remain healthy for your patients and colleagues.