Benefits of Becoming a Medical Assistant During the COVID-19 Crisis

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Medical Assistants (MA’s) are some of the hardest-working professionals in the healthcare field. They have both clinical and administrative duties, which means one minute they might be scheduling appointments and answering phones, and the next, they’re rushing to take a patient’s vital signs. Being a Medical Assistant means stepping up to fill gaps, solve problems, direct patients and keep clinics and medical units running smoothly.

This career isn’t for everyone, but there are some great benefits for those who find a career in Medical Assisting appealing. We identified some of the top advantages below.

The Path to Becoming a Medical Assistant is Relatively Short

You know you need a college or technical school education but you’re also itching to launch your career as soon as possible. While some healthcare-related degree programs take several years, earning a Medical Assisting credential is considerably shorter. The Allen School of Health Sciences Medical Assistant program can be completed in less than a year; In a blended format that combines traditional and online learning classes.

You Can Work in a Variety of Locations

Some healthcare jobs are limited to hospitals, but that’s not the case for MAs. As an MA you may find yourself working in a hospital, clinic, as part of general practice, or even in a surgical facility. Medical Assistants can also find employment at nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and many other settings.

You’ll Get to Build Relationships with Patients

Since Medical Assistants direct patients through their appointments, bringing them where they need to go, taking their vitals, and asking screening questions, they have a chance to engage in conversation that can turn meaningful. A simple question like “How was your day?” can help patients relax and connect. Medical Assistants work face to face with people all day, making interpersonal skills very important in this career. If you have a passion for helping people, Medical Assisting is a great choice!

You’ll be part of a Team

Some careers can feel isolated—like you are doing the work all by yourself. This is definitely not the case if you become a Medical Assistant. MAs are important members of the healthcare team and frequently work alongside physicians, nurses, physician assistants, or nurse practitioners. This means not only will you be able to ask questions and consult with your colleagues, but they’ll likely rely on you as well!

You’ll Acquire Necessary Skills for Advancement

Medical Assistants need a handful of soft skills to complement their technical skills. Sympathy and good communication skills are near the top of the list. These transferable skills can be leveraged in many healthcare careers, so honing them as a Medical Assistant can help you advance down the road.

The technical skills of a Medical Assistant can lead to other opportunities as well. Learning how to draw blood or perform EKGs can translate to a variety of other healthcare professions. Clinics are constantly in need of people to take on leadership roles, whether it’s as a team lead or, with further education, as a Clinic Administrator.

You’ll Never be bored

Being a Medical Assistant means you probably won’t spend time sitting around waiting for your next task. That wide variety of skills we mentioned makes Medical Assistants very useful as “pinch hitters” when the clinic gets busy.

You Can be a Specialist or a Generalist

While an MA’s duties can span several responsibilities, they don’t always have to. Those who prefer dabbling in several different areas would fit in well in a smaller clinic. You’ll gain a broad knowledge of the medical field due to the number of tasks you’ll undertake in all parts of the facility. If you prefer focusing on a few specific tasks, you may opt to work in a larger clinic with a bigger staff. This setting will allow you to specialize in a particular department that interests you, honing the precise skills needed for that position.

You’ll Start Gaining Experience Before you Graduate

Every Medical Assistant program is different, but some require students to complete an externship or internship while earning their certificate. For example, students enrolled in the Allen School of Health Sciences Medical Assistant program complete a clinical externship before they graduate into the real thing. The clinical experience makes a great addition to your resume and job search as well since you can demonstrate to employers that you have hands-on experience.

Make a Difference as a Medical Assistant

Are you considering becoming a Medical Assistant (MA)? Not only is this an honorable decision that can allow you to make a positive difference in the lives of countless patients, but it’s also one that can lead you to an extremely fulfilling career. As a Medical Assistant, your daily role will be one that centers around helping others, and you will have an important role in the health and safety of our society as a whole.

In order to protect our community during the COVID-19 crisis, The Allen School of Health Sciences is offering virtual campus tours for enrollment for our classes starting soon. Contact the Allen School today! We cannot wait for you to become part of the Allen School family. Visit www.allenschool.edu​ to learn more.

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Reasons Why Hand washing Should Matter to You

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Reasons Why Hand washing Should Matter to You.

Hand washing with soap and water is one of the most important steps you can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to loved ones. Many diseases are spread by not cleaning your hands properly after touching contaminated objects or surfaces. And although not all germs are bad, illness can occur when harmful germs enter our bodies through the eyes, nose, and mouth. That’s why it is critical to wash hands at key times, such as after a flood or during a flu pandemic when germs can be passed from person to person and make others sick.

Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to reduce the number of germs on them, however during a disaster, clean running water may not be available. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can quickly reduce the number of germs on hands in some situations, but sanitizers do not eliminate all types of germs.

Here are three key reasons why you should always care about handwashing:

  • Handwashing can keep children healthy and in school. Handwashing education can reduce the number of young children who get sick and help prevent school absenteeism.
  • Handwashing can help prevent illness. Getting a yearly flu vaccine is the most important action you can take to protect yourself from flu. Besides getting a flu vaccine, CDC recommends everyday preventive actions including frequent handwashing with soap and water.
  • Handwashing is easy! Effective handwashing is a practical skill that you can easily learn, teach to others, and practice every day to prepare for an emergency. It takes around 20 seconds, and can be done in five simple steps:
    • Wet your hands with clean, running water, turn off the tap, and apply soap
    • Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap
    • Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice
    • Rinse your hands well under clean, running water
    • Dry your hands using a clean towel or air-dry them

In order to protect our community during the COVID-19 crisis, The Allen School of Health Sciences is offering virtual campus tours for classes starting soon. Contact the Allen School today! We cannot wait for you to become part of the Allen School family. Visit www.allenschool.edu to learn more.

-Allen School

Traits of a Successful Medical Assistant

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It is no secret that the healthcare industry is one of the biggest industries in America with ample job openings. What might not be as obvious is the fact that you can have a prosperous career in the field without becoming a doctor or nurse. One occupation student might want to consider is that of a Medical Assistant.

A Medical Assistant is someone who aids doctors, typically in offices and healthcare clinics, with administrative and clinical tasks. Medical Assistants will check blood pressure, direct patients through the office, and perform administrative tasks. Some other common responsibilities include maintaining patient records, scheduling appointments, sanitizing medical equipment, and helping physicians with examinations. Let us examine a few traits that successful Medical Assistants embody in their jobs.

Medical Assistants need Good Communication Skills

Communicating is a significant part of a Medical Assistant’s job. They communicate with doctors, patients, and coworkers to keep the office or clinic functioning effectively. Medical Assistants who work more on the administrative side may serve as intermediaries between the doctor and patients or the doctor and health insurance companies.

Medical Assistants are Team Player’s.

Medical Assistants are, in many ways, the glue that holds physicians’ offices and healthcare clinics together. It is important that Medical Assistants are team players and willing to do the work that is necessary to efficiently provide patients with the proper care. Feeding off the prior point about communication, part of being a team player is communicating with those with whom you work. Being a team player can increase synergy among you and your co-workers, in addition to the obvious advantage of completing the work required to run the office or clinic.

Medical Assistants have Strong Attentiveness to Details

Paying attention to detail is another quality that successful Medical Assistants exemplify in their work. This is not limited to cases in which Medical Assistants are permitted to administer drugs to patients and need to accurately measure the dosage. It is also crucial in the maintenance of patient records, scheduling and taking vitals to name a few other examples.

Accuracy and attention to detail are important for the wellbeing of the patients and healthcare professionals alike.

Medical Assistants have a lot of Compassion.

Compassion is another trait that successful Medical Assistants embody. They are often responsible for ensuring that patients are comfortable during their visit to the office or clinic. As mentioned earlier, Medical Assistants serve as a point of communication between patients and doctors. Offering compassion and understanding of a patient’s concerns can go a long way towards the patient’s overall satisfaction with the medical care. Medical Assistants can take comfort, pride, and satisfaction in knowing that they helped change a patient’s life for the better.

Medical Assistants always have a Willingness to Learn.

Medical Assistants are responsible for performing a multitude of different tasks throughout doctors’ offices and healthcare clinics. They are skilled in both clinical and administrative aspects of running an office or clinic. It is important for Medical Assistants to show the willingness to learn new skills as required by the doctors under whom they work. Changes in technology used in offices and clinics also necessitate Medical Assistants adapting to such updates.

Being a jack of many trades can provide Medical Assistants with a degree of variety in the everyday happenings of their jobs. In many cases there are things within an office or clinic that they can help with. Armed with an array of skills, Medical Assistants can work in many different realms of medicine, exploring different disciplines and discovering what they are passionate about. Medical Assistants have the opportunity to specialize in a certain type of medicine, teach students who also want to become an MA or even become the office manager. Many also go back to school to expand on what they learned as Medical Assistants and land an even better job.

Launch your Medical Assistant career at the Allen School of Health Sciences.

Perhaps you feel that the traits in this post describe you and you are now thinking of pursuing a school for Medical Assistants. For prospective Medical Assistants there is one clear choice for an accelerated training program: Allen School of Health Sciences. The Allen School of Health Sciences Medical Assistant program thoroughly prepares you to enter the healthcare field. The program can be completed in less than a year!

The Allen School of Health Sciences is offering virtual campus tours for enrollment for our classes starting soon. Contact the Allen School today! We cannot wait for you to become part of the Allen School family. Visit  www.allenschool.edu to learn more.

Qualities of a Medical Assistant

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Most of us have had the help and support of a Medical Assistant while visiting a hospital, or a physician’s office. However, to become a successful MA, there are some basic qualities that a candidate should possess.

  1. Communication Skills

Among most important Medical Assistant qualities are communication skills, as these are the basic characteristics for this profession. An MA should listen to patients without interruption but at the same time, still ask appropriate questions to get to the source of their visit. Communication skills also involve clearly narrating the vital instructions given by the doctor to each patient.

  1. Compassionate

Besides being a good listener, it is very important that a Medical Assistant is compassionate toward their patients. An MA should try to understand the emotional state of their patients by hearing out their questions and concerns. Handling patients in a compassionate way will help them feel more comfortable and relaxed at the time of their health assessment.

  1.  Handling Stress

A physician’s office or a hospital is full of activity. The workplace can make a Medical Assistant feel quite stressed out. They will have a lot of administrative and clinical duties to perform each day and at times, all these work-related stresses can contribute to confusion and anxiety. On the other hand, patients visit a health care facility for appropriate care and treatment; they come with their own set of stress. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the MA to check their stress at the door. In other words, figure out a way to put aside stress you have built up throughout the day, while in the company of your patient. This is no easy task, as you are only human, but it is a good skill to work on each day to give the best care you can.

  1. Reliability

A Medical Assistant is expected to be a reliable person since the physician, the healthcare group associates, and the incoming patients depend on them to be reliable. Hence, an MA should be punctual, career-focused and value the conventional code of behavior.

  1. Honesty

Honesty is the best policy for this lifetime career. The personal information that a Medical Assistant collects must be maintained as confidential in a healthcare setting. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a strict confidentiality rule, which requires vigilance and care in maintaining the patient’s fitness information. However, it is also considered courteous to behave trustworthy to each patient while receiving their health or personal information (even during informal conversation). Each MA will be introduced to circumstances where they need to prove their ethical and moral characteristics on a daily basis. Hence, honesty is the chief quality to become a professional medical assistant.

  1. Willpower and Politeness

Sometimes the urge to react to a tiring physician or to a disgruntled patient who is in a lot of pain or has little patience is very tempting. However, having strong willpower towards your personal feelings in a health care environment while remaining polite is a unique Medical Assistant trait that is necessary to remain a professional. Instead of reacting, take a breath, and respond accordingly.

If you possess the above-mentioned traits, then go ahead and join in a professional medical assistant training program that will give you all the essential courses required to become a successful medical assistant. The Allen School of Health Sciences is offering virtual campus tours for enrollment for our classes starting soon. Contact the Allen School today! We cannot wait for you to become part of the Allen School family. Visit  www.allenschool.edu to learn more.

A new year, another Medical Assisting class graduates! YOU can be next!

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(photo taken pre-pandemic)

A new year, another Medical Assisting class graduates! YOU can be next!

A new year can be the perfect time for a new start. For many people, it’s an opportunity to think about a new job. If you’ve been thinking about a new career as a certified Medical Assistant, this may be the push you need to begin making that idea a reality

 Would this field be a good fit for you?

When you’re considering a new career, it’s important to determine if the role would be a good fit. For Certified Medical Assistants, the following qualities and attributes are important to succeed: empathy, integrity, and dependability, ability to manage stress, strong communication skills and compassion.

Why are those particular skills so crucial for this role? Medical Assistants may have administrative or clinical duties, or both, depending on the work setting. Duties may include greeting patients, updating medical records, preparing patients for their exam, drawing blood, and assisting with medication. For all these duties, as well as any others that may be assigned, the qualities and attributes listed above would help the individual provide patients with the best possible care. 

 Education and Certification

If this field sounds like a good fit for you, it’s time to begin finding a program that will give you the educational foundation you need to pursue it. Do your homework and find the program that best meets your needs in terms of scheduling, flexibility, learning style, cost and any other issues that maybe part of the decision. For nearly 60 years the Allen School of Health Sciences has trained thousands of people for their careers in healthcare.

Looking ahead

There’s good news as far as job security in this field. Employment of Medical Assistants is projected to grow 23% from 2018-2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. This is largely due to the aging of the baby boomer population, which has increased the need for preventive medical services. This is good news for people who are considering this field. 

(https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm)

There are opportunities for personal growth as well. After you work in an entry-level Medical Assistant position, moving into a medical specialty may offer better opportunities. The longer you work in a specialty practice that you enjoy, the more valuable your skills and knowledge will become to your employer. 

Will it be easy? Nope. Will it be worth it? Absolutely. At the Allen School of Health Sciences, we specialize in helping students reach their education and career goals. Are you ready to start the new year with a new career? Contact the Allen School today! We are enrolling now for our winter classes and cannot wait for you to become part of the Allen School family. Visit www.allenschool.edu to learn more.

-Allen School

Medical Assisting at the Allen School of Health Sciences, A Career to go Places!

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Most people who want to work in the healthcare field likely aspire to be doctors or nurses. However, Medical Assisting is one of the fastest-growing occupations in the United States. The Medical Assistant career path offers many of the same benefits as other healthcare professions, in addition to perks of its own.

The American Association of Medical Assistants describes a Medical Assistant as someone who works alongside doctors, usually in a clinical or office setting. Though the description may seem similar to that of a nurse, there are some key differences to the nursing field.

Medical Assistants commonly handle tasks such as checking vital signs, showing patients to their rooms, and various administrative duties. A licensed practical nurse, on the other hand, provides basic care measures like catheterization and prescription administration. While Medical assistants often work in clinics and ambulatory care, licensed practical nurses more commonly work in settings like nursing homes and hospitals.

Starting Work Sooner

Medical Assistants can begin working in the healthcare field sooner than students who attend nursing programs at four-year universities. At the Allen School of Health Sciences, our accelerated program allows you to graduate in less than a year.

There is no additional waiting to complete residency because externships can be completed at the same time as the coursework. The Allen School of Health Sciences prepares students with an externship as part of their program. Having an externship as part of your Medical Assisting program can help bolster a Medical Assistant’s job prospects.

Medical Assistants graduate with the knowledge and experience needed to excel in the healthcare industry. They are trained in both clinical and administrative tasks that are critical to running an office or clinic.

With a vast array of skills at their disposal, Medical assistants can explore different areas of medicine and discover what they are passionate about. They have the opportunity to specialize in a certain type of medicine, teach students who also want to become an MA or even become the office manager.

Diverse On-the-Job Experiences

Medical Assistants are capable of performing many different tasks needed to keep the clinic or office open in addition to treating patients. Their versatility also ensures they will not be bored on the job because there is always something they can do.

Additionally, the patients who come in to be treated and what they are seeking to be treated for varies daily. Every day on the job is different than the one before.

Helping People

Medical Assistants help physicians run their offices, but they also provide patients with compassion and understanding while doing so. Like their fellow healthcare professionals, Medical Assistants take satisfaction in knowing they are helping patients and changing their lives for the better.

Will it be easy? Nope. Worth it? Absolutely? The Allen School of Health Sciences offers the essential resources medical assisting students need to excel in the classroom, in their externships, and in the workforce to help care for patients. In order to protect our community during the COVID-19 crisis, The Allen School of Health Sciences is offering virtual campus tours for enrollment for our classes starting soon. Contact the Allen School today! We cannot wait for you to become part of the Allen School family.  Visit www.allenschool.edu to learn more.

New Year, New Career. Medical Assistant: Skills & Attributes

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Medical Assistants are held to a higher standard of professionalism than employees in other industries. The way the Medical Assistant approaches their job and interacts with patients is critical to the success of the patient’s well-being, along with the success of each practice, hospital, clinic and any other healthcare facility. Patients expect professional behavior and put trust and confidence in those who are professional in demeanor with a good bedside manner. Being kind AND professional to patients should be a no-brainer but can definitely be a challenge from time to time. Along with offering a warm smile and friendly attitude to the arriving patient, there are many skills that contribute to the professionalism of a Medical Assistant including being loyal and dependable.

Loyalty is important because as a Medical Assistant, you should be devoted to the success of the practice because, in the end, that equals success to your patients. Loyalty should be reciprocal and if a medical practice is offering equal pay for equal work, the Medical Assistant will feel like the practice is doing its best for them as well. Dependability is equally as important to everyone involved. When a Medical Assistant not only shows up for work on time but also produces consistent work and follows through on tasks and requests, then the practice runs smooth, patients don’t feel rushed, and in turn you can be counted on and given more responsibility.

Taking Initiative is another skill that goes a long way. The Medical Assistant should be self-motivated, ambitious, and observe any need that the staff or their patients may have. Making themselves available, rather than waiting for a supervisor to direct them to an area that needs attention is a very desirable skill that employers are searching for. Along with that comes flexibility. The Medical Assistant should have the willingness and ability to respond to changing situations and expectations. Flexible Medical Assistants will modify their approach to tasks based on the unique demands of each situation, especially in an emergency. In a medical facility, the patient comes first, and every Medical Assistant should lend a hand wherever they are needed.

Two other important skills to possess are credibility and confidentiality. Trust is a vital component of the Medical Assistant-patient relationship, and the credibility of every MA should be strong. The information that is given to patients must be accurate as the patient may see you as an extension of the physician. After accuracy, Confidentiality becomes of equal importance. Patients are entitled to privacy under the HIPAA act. Confidentiality extends to the home and other environments outside of the medical office. The Medical Assistant is prohibited from discussing confidential patient information to anyone not authorized by the patient themselves. Serious consequences will be enacted if patient privacy is breached.

The Medical Assistant will need these four specific attributes along with the above skills, to be a professional while working with colleagues and dealing with patients. These attributes include teamwork, time management, prioritization, and goal setting.

Teamwork- In the medical field, teamwork is detrimental to the outcome of a patient’s visit. The medical staff must work together, and accept the tasks given to them by their supervisor (unless they are illegal, unethical, or place patients in danger).

Time Management – Medical assistants should use their time efficiently and concentrate on the most important duties first. They should make a schedule, prioritize tasks and allow for emergencies along the way. The key to time management is prioritizing.

Prioritizing – a form of triage should be used by the Medical Assistant to sort tasks into the must, should and could categories. Of course, attending to emergencies will always take precedence, but one must also anticipate what order each task should be completed to benefit the most.

Setting Goals – if the Medical Assistant doesn’t set goals, they will never know when the goals have been achieved! Setting goals can also help the MA accomplish tasks more efficiently, giving them more time to achieve other goals or even have some downtime in an otherwise stressful busy day.

Learning never ends as a Medical Assistant and that is what makes this career so rewarding. Interested in learning more about developing the skills and attributes of a medical assistant? Is this the year for a new career? In order to protect our community during the COVID-19 crisis, The Allen School of Health Sciences is offering virtual campus tours for enrollment for our classes starting soon. Contact the Allen School today! We cannot wait for you to become part of the Allen School family. Visit www.allenschool.edu to learn more.

-Allen School

Unwrap Our Holiday Tips to Become a Better Medical Assistant

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For students in a Medical Assistant program, you may be busy learning about the clinical aspects of the job such as how to draw blood, administer an injection, or take a patient’s vital signs. These are clearly a very important part of your training but in addition, there are also “soft skills” that are important to your training. Learning to be a reliable employee is a skill that can use throughout your entire career. Try these tips for getting a strong start in your new career.

Be an early bird

Plan to arrive at work 10 to 15 minutes early every day. You will need this time to put your belongings away and get ready for your workday. This gives you time to review the list of patients who are scheduled and to check on the day’s supplies. It helps you avoid the feeling of having to “hit the ground running” the minute you step in the door. By arriving early, you can start off your workday feeling calm and organized.

Stay positive

Work is called “work” for a reason — it’s hard work! Every day there may be tasks that you don’t enjoy, changes that you weren’t expecting, or problems that arise. Rather than griping or complaining, however, try and take a positive approach. Remember that handling problems is simply part of the job. Try to focus on the parts of the job that you do enjoy rather than the negative aspects. With a positive attitude, you will find that you inspire the others around you.

Carry your own weight

As a Medical Assistant, you will be part of a healthcare team in a medical office or a hospital setting. Others on your team might include nurses, office staff, physicians, and other Medical Assistants. They are all counting on you to do your job. If you shirk your responsibilities, someone else will have to pick up your slack. Make sure you take your responsibilities seriously and put forth your best effort to fulfill your duties. As a team member, you should also be proactive. If you see a need that isn’t being fulfilled, see where you can help. This kind of approach helps make you a valuable member of your team.

Be respectful to anyone and everyone

Medical offices and hospitals are busy places. In the course of serving patients throughout the day, healthcare professionals can get stressed and hurried. Despite this, try to stay polite and respectful to everyone throughout the day. Showing respect to others will result in receiving their respect in return. This includes everyone you work with, from the newest employees to the head honchos. And most of all, it includes patients—even those who may test your patience. Being a respectful person is a career skill that should stay with you for your entire career.

Keep up With Your Education

In a field like medical assisting, you need to be sure that you keep up with your learning. New technologies and medications are being created, and you want to be sure to stay on the cutting edge. Be sure to attend continuing education classes. Join a professional association and read their newsletters and blog articles regularly. Having up-to-date knowledge of your career field is something that you can be proud of and something that others will respect.

Following these tips is a way to “go the extra mile” as a Medical Assistant. If you follow these guidelines, you can improve your approach to your work. What’s more, the better you perform on the job, the better you will feel about your career.

Ready to walk into the new year with a new career? In order to protect our community during the COVID-19 crisis, The Allen School of Health Sciences is offering virtual campus tours for enrollment for our classes starting soon. Contact the Allen School today! We cannot wait for you to become part of the Allen School family. Visit www.allenschool.edu​ to learn more.


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Medical Assistants guide to working on the holidays

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If you’re a Medical Assistant, certified Nursing Assistant, Nurse, or other healthcare professional, there’s a good chance you’ll have to work on a holiday at some point. If you do, it’s easy to feel like you’re missing out on a major family or social event. It can be hard, but it’s essential; you’re essential. When you have to work on a holiday, here are some tips on how to can get through it.

Remember that you’re essential

If you work in healthcare, you work in an industry that people need every day, every hour, no matter what day or time it is. The fact is, people need healthcare regardless of what the calendar says. Illness don’t take a holiday. Heart attacks don’t care if it’s Thanksgiving, cancer doesn’t know its Christmas, babies being born don’t care that its New Year’s Eve, and broken bones can’t wait just because it’s Halloween.

Healthcare deals with life, death, birth, healing, and things that are often bigger than us. Nurses and Medical Assistants deal with all of it. The families who need to be in the hospital on Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s Eve will remember it for the rest of their lives. They’ll talk about the Halloween when they had a broken arm or the Easter when their child was born. You’ll be there not just on a holiday, but on a holiday that was momentous for them. One they’ll always remember.

There are benefits to working holidays

You may not realize it but you also may have the opposite occur; your shift could be a little quieter than it normally would. Patients who have the option to push a surgery, will elect to stay at home with their families and reschedule said surgery. What’s more, if your workplace is one where it first asks staff to volunteer to work on holidays, then saying yes to a shift on a day off could be a good way to increase your standing with your co-workers. Other healthcare professionals on staff will be glad you’re working and allowing them to stay home, and supervisors will be glad just to have that time covered.

Working holidays also provides an additional benefit which is a chance for staff to bond while also making some extra cash! You’ll feel a sense of togetherness with the other people who are putting in time, and there’s also the chance to make some overtime. And when you do clock out, there’s always the chance to celebrate later. You might have missed the calendar day, but holidays are what we make them. If you have to celebrate with loved ones a day later, that’s just as real as doing it the day of.

Are you ready to start your Medical Assisting career no matter what the calendar says?

In order to protect our community during the COVID-19 crisis, The Allen School of Health Sciences is offering virtual campus tours for enrollment for our classes starting soon. Contact the Allen School today! We cannot wait for you to become part of the Allen School family. Visit www.allenschool.edu​ to learn more.

Medical Assisting- A Day in The Life

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Medical Assisting is not just a job – it’s a highly rewarding profession with a diverse array of roles and responsibilities. A day in the life of a Medical Assistant is difficult to pinpoint because your day to day activities may differ depending on what type of practice you work for or department you work in. No matter where you work, however, there will always be a need for professionalism, attention to detail and caring.

Medical Assistants should demonstrate professionalism and tact when interacting with patients, as well as follow protocol for determining a patient’s immediate needs. If you work primarily at the front desk, you’ll be responsible for answering the office’s phone system and using medical questions to determine the severity of the caller’s problem. Other tasks include informing the physician about patient concerns, scheduling appointments and greeting patients as they enter the office.

Attention to detail is also extremely important as a Medical Assistant. In addition to your reception duties, you will need to obtain patients’ insurance information, collect insurance co-payments, verify patients’ addresses and phone numbers, update and maintain HIPAA authorizations and call insurance companies for pre-authorization and pre-certification approval for testing or surgeries. Mistakes can be costly – for both the practice and the patient, so it’s critical that you are thorough and meticulous in completing these tasks. Performing in-house laboratory procedures fall under a Medical Assistant’s job description as well. Some procedures could include drawing blood, urinalysis, throat cultures, pregnancy tests, drug screens, and EKGs. While these may become second nature at some point in your career, attention to detail will still always be important here as well, because an error could cause a misdiagnosis.

If you work in the back office, you’ll have a greater opportunity to interact with patients which is why the simple act of caring goes a long way. As a Medical Assistant you play such an important role in making a patient feel comfortable during their appointment. Sounds easy enough to “care” but when you’ve seen dozens of patients in a day, it’s easy to forget that each one comes with their own set of symptoms and anxieties, and they all deserve individual attention. Often, you can help reduce a patient’s anxiety about an upcoming procedure by relaying information from the physician in terms that the patient can understand. It’s important to have a good bedside manner and a calm demeanor when dealing directly with patients.

On a typical day as a Medical Assistant you may help measure patients’ vital signs by taking their blood pressure, pulse, respirations, and height & weight. You might also obtain the patient’s medical history in order to brief the physician. Another task could be setting up the exam room for a procedure and at times you may even assist the physician with minor surgical procedures such as inserting or removing sutures. The tasks are endless.

Regardless of their role, Medical Assistants serve an essential function on the healthcare team. From the front office to the lab, they contribute to the success of the physician, the practice and ensure that patients have a good experience during their visit.

In order to protect our community during the COVID-19 crisis, The Allen School of Health Sciences is offering virtual campus tours for enrollment for our classes starting soon. Contact the Allen School today! We cannot wait for you to become part of the Allen School family. Visit www.allenschool.edu​ to learn more.