Medical receptionist or medical assistant?

Medical Assistant Secetary Receptionist Careers

• Answer:

  A career as a medical assistant, medical secretary or medical receptionist can be a very rewarding and stable occupational choice for someone interested in working in the medical field and helping people to stay healthy. Although educational prerequisites and qualifications differ depending on the specific position, all three jobs typically require a person to have at least a high school diploma or GED, excellent communication skills, basic office and computer skills, knowledge of medical terminology and the ability to work effectively with both patients and medical staff. Medical Assistant Medical assistants are responsible for handling basic clinical tasks and performing general administrative support such as scheduling appointments, arranging medical procedures, updating and filing medical records and handling correspondence. Medical assistants with more advanced training also perform basic laboratory work, sterilize medical instruments, prepare patients for exams, record patients’ vital signs, authorize prescription refills and explain treatment procedures, medications and related instructions to the patient. Most employers prefer to hire candidates who have at least an associate’s degree or certificate from a medical assistance training program. Accredited programs are commonly offered in community colleges and vocational schools. Medical assistants can also receive certification from associations such as the American Association of Medical Assistants. Medical Secretary Medical secretaries handle a wide range of administrative tasks and provide general clerical support such as processing insurance and medical forms, updating patient files, answering telephone calls, transcribing dictation, ordering supplies and recording medical histories. Employers generally require candidates to have knowledge of medical terminology, an understanding of medical billing procedures, word processing and computer skills, the ability to interact well with others and excellent organizational and multitasking skills. Many vocational schools and community colleges offer two-year degrees or certificate programs that also include medical secretarial coursework in medical terminology, medical insurance billing, word processing and medical transcription. Medical Receptionist Medical receptionists perform various office support tasks including answering telephones, greeting patients, communicating with suppliers and vendors, maintaining patient files and records, scheduling appointments and monitoring all front desk activities. Depending on the job, medical receptionists with more experience and training may also perform duties similar to that of medical secretaries. Many employers do not require receptionists to have advanced training or education other than a high school diploma or GED. However, candidates who have taken medical-related coursework (such as medical terminology or general office procedures) have a distinct advantage in the job market. Job Outlook According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assistant jobs are among the fastest growing occupations in the United States. Job prospects are especially good for candidates with formal training or who have been certified. Medical secretary and receptionist jobs have an equally bright outlook as the overall employment of secretaries and administrative assistants is also expected to increase faster than average. Furthermore, the skills and experience acquired by medical secretaries and receptionists are highly transferable and offer many opportunities for advancement.