United States of America boasts of wide network of hospitals, nursing homes and general healthcare facilities. The healthcare infrastructure of USA is supported by over 500,000 working physicians. These physicians largely depend on skilled medical assistants in their day to day professional life. Therefore, career potential of medical assistants in USA is very prospective.
Job responsibilities
Skilled medical assistants are required to perform job responsibilities as varied as helping physicians during their working hours, drawing patients’ blood, carrying out various laboratory tests, taking care that contaminated supplies are disposed of, sterilizing instruments and conducting echocardiograms, electrocardiogram [ECG], ultrasonography [USG] etc. However, it must be remembered that separate states law allows separate clinical duties to be performed by medical assistants in USA.
Education and Certification
Unlike various other medical professions like nursing or dental hygiene, profession of medical assistant in USA is basically unregulated. States laws do not prescribe any specific licensing procedure. However, stiff competition in this field has forced employers to look for certified medical assistants.
Aspiring candidates can appear at any of the several medical assistant certification examinations that are recognized nationally. Candidates who possess high school diploma as well as vocational training diploma in medical assistant earned from any accredited school are eligible for certification examination.
Specialization
There are various specializations on offer for aspiring students who want to serve healthcare sector as medical assistant. They can earn vocational diploma in healthcare with specializations like eye care, dermatology and treatment of arthritis. Working professionals can also supplement their skills with specialized training in the field of surgical technology.
Pay package
Career prospects of medical assistant in USA are high because working professionals get high payment and other benefits. Average annual salary for an entry level position in field of medical assistant in USA is $35,986. However, remuneration depends largely on education level, experience level as well as specialty. Medical assistants who are employed in hospitals, specialty clinics and larger healthcare facilities get high payment along with other benefits.
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