During the third full week of October each year, you have the chance to celebrate the professional at the heart of health care -- the medical assistant. Medical Assistants Recognition Week, as designated by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), honors these workers who keep the offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, and other health practitioners running smoothly.

What is a medical assistant?
In small practices, medical assistants generally handle both administrative and clinical duties, while in large practices they tend to specialize in a particular area. Clinical duties vary according to state law, and may include recording vital signs, collecting lab specimens, administering medications, and more.

For those interested in a specialized  

Medical Assisting

  career, there are profitable niches to consider. Ophthalmic medical assistants help ophthalmologists provide eye care by conducting diagnostic tests, measuring and recording vision, testing eye muscle function, and more. Podiatric medical assistants make castings of feet, expose and develop X-rays, and assist podiatrists in surgery.

What kind of training is required?
The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredits over 500 medical assisting programs, and the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) accredits about 170 medical assisting programs. The Committee on Accreditation for Ophthalmic Medical Personnel has approved 17 programs in ophthalmic medical assisting and two programs in ophthalmic clinical assisting.

Medical assistants are not licensed, but national examinations are offered to ensure competence. Medical assisting credentials include certified medical assistant; registered medical assistant; podiatric medical Assistant, certified; certified ophthalmic assistant; certified ophthalmic technician; and certified ophthalmic medical technologist.

How's the job market?
Medical assistants held about 387,000 jobs in 2004, and medical assisting is projected to be one of the fastest growing occupations through 2014, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That's because medical assistants will be called on more and more to offer a helping hand in the ever-expanding health care industry, due to technological advances in medicine and the growth and aging of the population.

Median annual earnings of medical assistants were $24,610 in May 2004, with the highest 10 percent earning more than $34,650. Of course, job prospects are best for candidates with formal training or experience, particularly those with certification.

Why not get started on your medical assisting career right away? That way, when October rolls around, you can celebrate yourself.

About the author:
Robyn Tellefsen is a frequent contributor to The CollegeBound Network. Learn more about finding a school that's right for you.

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