Career Story: Medical Assistant

Medical Assistant

Job Title: Medical Assistant

Education: Everest College, North Aurora, IL

Previous Experience: I changed careers to become a medical assistant.

Job Tasks: Here's what my job entails:

Patient care, vitals, immunizations, blood draw, lab work, inventory assist doctor.
Calling in patient prescriptions, write and get signed patient prescriptions.
Assisting patients in care while at home.
Scheduling appointments, cancel appointments.
Using Microsoft Excel, Word and medical billing software.
Tossing out any expired drugs.
Explaining instructions to the patient from the doctor of what he ordered and why.
Writing instructions down for the patient to take with them or give them and explain a brochure concerning them.
Maintaining patient confidentiality.
Smiling a lot and do not gossip.
Always looking out for the physician and saving money time etc.
Always maintaining clean hands and wearing gloves.
Protecting the patient as well as yourself and others around you.
Always helping others when you see them having trouble.
Never letingt patients hear you talking about others or co workers.
Always being professional.
Always having a professional appearance.
Treating every patient with respect and care.
Never bring home troubles to the office or on the patient.
Being a good listener.
If you make a mistake always owning up to it.
Always sympathizing with the patient but not feeling sorry.
Continueing your education as needed always be on the up of new medication, side affects etc to improve your position and yourself. It will help the physician as well.
Knowing your recalls of medication and your expiration dates to know who had what, in case you ever have to call a patient back. Information is key always have as much as possible when talking to a patient or find out never tell a patient something you are unsure of. Always ask.

Best and Worst Parts of the Job: Best part is assisting patients and physicians getting treated with respect by all. The worst part is long hours can come up and you can not go home until the doctor has left for the day. So if an emergency comes up you have to stay. Not a regular 9-5 job.

Job Tips: You have to like to work with people. I would say that if you cant stand people this isn't for you. If you cant listen to an instruction once and act on it this isn't for you. A physician is not going to want to repeat his or her orders over and over. Also if you do not get along with women this isn't for you. If you like to gossip, this is not for you. If you like to take charge and get it done and help the patients, this is for you.

Additional Thoughts: Be a helper with a smile and a leader in your profession

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