Perfect Medical Assistant

We Want you to be Successful...

An easy recipe to becoming a perfect medical assistant would be nice, but you realize there is no such thing! In fact, it takes hard work, interest, dedication, persistence, and a burning desire from deep within to become great at what you do. Nevertheless, even if you were to do whatever it takes, and give it your all, you'd hardly ever become perfect. However, you CAN be successful. The more you know about your options in the medical assistant career, the better you are prepared! If you establish real world goals you will become the successful person you aim to be. 

Traits of a Good Medical Assistant

Even though nobody is hardly ever perfect there are several important steps one can follow to become a better student. Being prepared means knowing what to expect, which means, having a slight advantage over those who are not prepared! Here is what medical assistant students can expect in a typical medical assistant curriculum.

Medical Assistant Qualities and Traits:

• Follow directions well
• Read, write and calculate well
• Recognize problems and find solutions
• Finish a job quickly without sacrificing quality
• Be honest and dependable
• Communicate clearly and get along well with people
• Dress properly and practice good grooming
• Have a positive attitude and be cooperative
• Know rules concerning their scope of practice
• Know examination and treatment room procedures
• Know medical equipment and instruments
• Recognize safety hazards and take precautions

Medical Assistant Knowledge:

1. Anatomy and Physiology
(a) All the body systems
(b) Common pathology/diseases
(c) Diagnostic/treatment modalities

2. Medical Terminology
(a) Basic structure of medical words
(b) Word building and definitions
(c) Applications of medical terminology

3. Medical Law and Ethics
(a) Legal guidelines/requirements for healthcare providers
(b) Medical ethics and related issues
(c) Risk management

4. Psychology
(a) Basic principles
(b) Developmental stages of the life cycle
(c) Hereditary, cultural and environmental influences on behavior
(d) Mental health and applied psychology

5. Communication
(a) Principles of verbal and nonverbal communication
(b) Recognition and response to verbal and nonverbal communication
(c) Adaptations for individualized needs
(d) Applications of electronic technology
(e) Fundamental writing skills

6. Medical Assisting Administrative Procedures
(a) Basic medical office functions
(b) Bookkeeping and basic accounting
(c) Insurance and coding
(d) Facility management

7. Medical Assisting Clinical Procedures
(a) Asepsis and infection control
(b) Specimen collection and processing
(c) Diagnostic testing
(d) Patient care
(e) Pharmacology
(f) Medical emergencies
(g) Principles of radiology

8. Professional Components
(a) Personal attributes
(b) Job readiness
(c) Workplace dynamics
(d) Allied health professions and credentialing

9. And Remember!
(a) Document all important role changes during your externship
(b) Record significant accomplishments and new skills continually
(c) Participate in career development activities, such as reading journals or newsletters
(d) Sign up for continuing education seminars and in-services

• From Novice to Expert
  
  From novice to expert.
• Working as a Team
• 13 Simple Steps To Success
  
  Easy recipe on how to become the perfect medical assistant? Not really, but there are certain steps you can take to pave the road to success. Learn how...