A Medical Assistant is the medical person in the physician office or out-patient medical setting, qualified by education and experience to work
in the administrative office, the examining room and the physician’s laboratory. Individuals in this unique position will be involved in many of the following skills:

• General: Project a professional manner and image, adhere to legal and ethical principles, use medical terminology effectively, and use effective and correct verbal and written communication.
• Administrative:  Schedule, coordinate and monitor appointments, perform telephone and written communications, arrange hospital admissions, manage medical records, process insurance claim forms, manage office financial records, and maintain inventory.
• Clinical:  Prepare patient for examination procedures and treatment, record medical histories, take vital signs, chart patient information, administer medications and
  injections, provide patient instruction and education, perform venipunctures, collect and prepare other specimens, perform electrocardiograms (ECG), sterilize instruments, and perform basic laboratory tests.

With additional education, the medical assisting graduate may perform limited radiography.

The Medical Assistant is a vital liaison between the doctor and patient and plays an important role in diagnosis and treatment. The many different roles assumed in this profession assure a fast-moving and challenging career. Progression in the Medical Assisting program is contingent upon achievement of a grade of “C” or above in each required course and maintenance of a 2.0 cumulative grade-point average or above (on a 4.0 scale).

Clinical orientation and externship are “non-paid work assignments”. Transportation to the physician’s offices/community agencies is the responsibility of each student.

Diplomas
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Medical assistants held about 387,000 jobs in 2004. About 6 out of 10 worked in physicians’ offices; about 14 percent worked in public and private hospitals; and 11 percent worked in offices of other health practitioners, such as chiropractors, optometrists, and podiatrists. Medical assistants also find employment in:

• Outpatient care centers,
• Public and private educational institutions,
• Ambulatory health-care facilities,
• State and local government agencies,
• Employment services,
• Medical and diagnostic laboratories, and
• Nursing care facilities.

Employment of medical assistants is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations, as the health care industry expands through technological advances and due to the growth and aging of the population. Increasing utilization of medical assistants in the rapidly growing health care industry will further stimulate job growth. (Source: DOL Occupational Outlook Handbook 2006-2007)

The Department of Labor projects medical assisting will be one of the fastest-growing occupations through 2014. Medical assistants perform general, administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, and other health practitioners running smoothly. Duties vary, depending on the location, size and specialty of a facility or practice. Some medical assistants perform general administrative duties, such as answering telephones, greeting patients and scheduling appointments. Others’ responsibilities are more clinical in nature and range from taking medical histories and recording vital signs to assisting in examinations and performing basic laboratory tests.

Gateway provides the course work, knowledge and skills necessary for achieving success as a medical assistant. A clinical orientation and an externship are required for completion of the program, giving participants a chance to train in “real world” settings.

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