Working as a medical assistant

In nearly all aspects of life, success is best achieved through a team effort. Individuals, no matter how talented they may be, are better off with the help of a sidekick. Michael Jordan would have found it tough to win six championships without Scottie Pippen on the court. Mick Jagger would have struggled to turn the Rolling Stones into a famous rock band without Keith Richards on the guitar. Who knows how many of the Joker's schemes would have been implemented had Batman not had Robin at his back?

Physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, optometrists and other health practitioners are no different, and luckily they have medical assistants at their side to provide help whenever it is needed.

What they do
Medical assistants help to maintain efficiency in the offices of health practitioners. Most must be capable of performing both administrative and clinical tasks, usually ones that are routine in nature.

Administrative tasks might include secretarial work, ordering supplies, greeting patients, making appointments, updating and filing patients' medical records, and serving as a contact with insurance companies. Some clinical tasks consist of escorting patients to rooms, discussing a patient's medical history and current health issues, taking blood pressure, administering shots, and clarifying the doctor's instructions. It's important to note that medical assistants are not the same as physician assistants, who are required to examine, diagnose and treat patients under the direct supervision of a physician.

Some medical assistants, especially ones in smaller offices, serve as jacks of all trades, taking on all the necessary duties and sticking to a general practice. Others will specialize in a specific capability. Ophthalmic medical assistants and optometric assistants are examples of workers who specialize in eye care, while podiatric medical assistants make castings of feet, help to administer X-rays, and assist podiatrists in surgery.

Nearly all medical assistants are able to work in clean and well-lit settings. While some of them work part-time, most work full-time and have traditional five-day, 9-to-5 schedules. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 62 percent of medical assistants work in offices of physicians. Other settings include outpatient care, nursing settings, public and private education, state and local government agencies, and employment services.

What they need
While there is no requirement for formal education or training, nearly all medical assistants have at least a high school diploma, according to the BLS. Most are also mandated to complete a one- or two-year education program, though some are able to avoid higher education and instead get trained on the job. There are a number of associations, including the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) and the Association of Medical Technologists (AMT) that offer certification credentials to medical assistants. Obtaining such certification can help lead to a higher salary and more employment opportunities.

What they earn:
The average salary for a medical assistant is $37,571, according to CBsalary.com. The 25th and 75th percentiles of salaries fall between $28,929 and $49,720, respectively.