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Basic Distinction Between Medical Assistant And Physician Assistant

The healthcare business is very promising. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the business has provided 14.3 million jobs. They also expected that the healthcare industry will generate over 3.2 million different jobs between 2008 and 2018 because of the rapidly growing population of the elderly.

Two of the most popular health related career choices among job seekers are medical assistant and physician assistant. Both are holding relevant roles in providing health services to the diseased and those who need health support. However, these two careers are regularly interchanged by many. As not to be mistaken over again, we will discuss the two careers individually.

Overview Of Medical Assistants
In fact, many are still befuddled as to the actual roles of medical assistants. Medical assistants or MAs are in charge in keeping clinics and medical departments in order. Their roles can differ depending on the institutions they are employed in. Following are some of the general responsibilities and duties of medical assistants:

Administrative Roles
Approximately sixty two percent of medical assistants are working in medical doctor’s private clinics. Either trainings are given on the job or they get the skills by means of fast paced or conventional medical assisting programs. During training medical assistants are educated to handle calls, patient’s medical records, organize hospital admissions and laboratory schedules and accounting. Those are just some of the basic administrative duties of medical assistants.

Clinical Roles
The clinical tasks of MAs depend on the state they are presently employed. Clinical skills are also taught and cultivated during training. Some of the everyday clinical tasks of MAs are vital signs taking, collecting and preparing specimens, disposing of used and contaminated supplies, basic laboratory testing and assisting medical doctor or surgeon during medical check-up. In small and private clinics, doctors can instruct the medical assistant to prepare and administer medications, change dressings, give telephone prescriptions and check ECGs.

Special Areas Responsibilities
Similar to any healthcare careers, medical assistants can also work in special areas like pediatrics, optometry and opthalmic where they are happy to grow proficiently. In these areas, it is defining for MAs to learn how to multitask because there are instances where they have to carry out several duties all at the same time.

Overview Of Physician Assistant

Physician Assistants or PAs are integral players in the healthcare delivery system. They are practicing medicine under the direct custody of another doctor of medicine. Physician assistant are credentialed to practice according to the federal government.

PAs tasks are more on clinical practice. Their roles and scope of practice depends on their medical experience, knowledge and the governing law. Furthermore, the supervising doctor of medicine’s practice also affects the scope of practice of PAs. Having that said, they will be seeing the same cases of patients. If the supervising doctor is under oncology, then the PA will be practicing in the same department as well.

Following are some of the everyday duties of PAs. PAs are responsible in taking assessment, diagnosing and treating of medical illnesses, analyzing and interpreting tests and procedures given to patients, surgery assisting, patient therapy and giving prescriptions. Aside from their clinical tasks, physician assistants can be given responsibilities on education, medical examination and investigation and other supervisory duties.

Medical assistants and physician assistants are two contrasting entities. It is basic to distinguish the two. Nevertheless, both are very expedient in the industry of healthcare. They both deserve to be given respect because by the same token they are doing what their job entails.

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    Things You Should Know About Medical Assistant Associates Degree

    Are you keen and zestful? Are you systematic? Can you work even under excessive stress and pressure? Fascinated in health associated careers? Does vocation advancement interest you? If you answered yes to all these questions, why not become a medical assistant? Medical assistants are critical members of the health care delivery system. Doctors are not superheroes wherein they can work their healing powers by themselves. They surely need help like anyone else. Medical assistants help them stay on track so that they can carryout their duties well. As a matter of fact, medical assistants are one of the most popular health allied careers nowadays. If you are still oblivious about medical assisting, read on up and confidently this profession will interest you and someday you will join the field and be a proficient medical assistant.

    Medical assistants are not nurses nor are they LPNs or Licensed practical nurses. Although medical assistants are often interchanged and misguided as a nurse, these two professions are very different. Like nurses, MAs can work in hospitals, schools and specialized clinics. However, there are responsibilities of a nurse that a medical assistant cannot carryout. The typical duties of MAs are accounting and administrative responsibilities. Also, they are trained in several clinical responsibilities as well.

    Medical assisting is definitely high in demand. They are even projected to advance significantly in the coming years. One good reason why this job is highly coveted is because this profession has a minimum requirement for inquisitive applicants. With a high school certificate, an equivalent GED or a hospital experience, one can apply in health care facilities and clinics as a medical assistant.

    Then again, although a formal education is not binding, those who hope to further their careers and be promoted someday can register in qualified medical assisting programs and garner a degree or a medical assisting associates degree.

    An associates degree can help a person enter the workforce fearlessly because he or she has been fully educated to meet the demands of the patrons in different health care setting.

    Besides, earning an associates degree is very expedient for several reasons. Following are some of them:

    First, an associates degree is pleasant to have on the resume. It has positive connotations to the employers. Finishing an associates degree only show that someone is highly devoted and steadfast to his or her chosen profession.

    Second, a person who earns an associates degree undergoes continuous training in health care, making him or her very capable and expert to render service in private clinics and hospitals. Keep in mind that medical assistants have several roles to play from the basic accounting duties to patient care tasks and these roles and responsibilities are taught in associates degree programs.

    Third, an associates degree can prepare a learner to work in various health care scenarios.

    Finally, the wide-ranging coursework and in-depth core program can open doors and even optional promotions someday. Medical assistants can become managers and supervisors someday if they are seen to have potentials.

    It is never easy to decide on a vocation. There are so many jobs right now, but those in the public service are the most coveted. Medical assisting is one job that forcuses on public service. It can give several great benefits including personal complacency and fiscal rights. Piece of advice: Before making any career decision, open your eyes to other possibilities before you decide to follow your dreams.

    Medical assistant jobs and training. Discover the various medical assistant programs and find out if they are comprehensive enough for your learning needs.

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