Career Tips & Advice

Traits to Look for In a Good MA

Concorde Staff

Concorde Staff

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Updated October 20, 2016. The information contained in this blog is current and accurate as of this date.
medical assistant

A great medical assistant (MA) can't be just good working with patients. Nor can they be good only at administrative tasks and paperwork.

When it comes to a medical office or hospital environment, the medical assistant must be all things to everyone. That's what makes the job challenging, and it's why Concorde's MA programs consist of comprehensive, real-world training, ensuring students that they are fully ready for the duties of the job on Day 1.

 

A multipurpose position 

"Medical Assisting is a multipurpose position within the medical office," said Michael Meyer, DO, Director of Concord Medical Office Administration and Medical Assistant Programs in Orlando, FL

The traits desired by prospective clinical practices, he said, include front office management, including basic scheduling and verification of insurance, and telephone duties. They also require back-office assisting which requires proficiency in vital signs, electronic medical record-keeping, and patient room set-up and prep. There also can be laboratory assisting with phlebotomy and basic lab skills for blood glucose, cholesterol levels, as well as therapeutic treatments like injections, ultrasound, and hot pack placement.

"Some offices require the MA be a scribe for the physician to document all the clinical findings of an examination in real time into the medical record," Meyer said. "They can create and produce correct eRx documents for medicines to be purchased from the pharmacy as well as proper medication delivery within the office."

"The knowledge of basic machine operator for chest X-rays and other diagnostic X-rays might also be of great value for the MA in many primary care and orthopedic practices," Meyer said.

 

Medical Assistant certification necessary in some states

The need for the Medical Assistant is ongoing, and the skills necessary are both basic as well as specialized depending on the practice needs. Well-rounded training in both practice management software, scheduling software, and EHR is necessary to be successful at the clinical site. Registered Medical Assistant or Certified Medical Assistant certification is necessary in some states to properly document in the EHR. Many hospital-based clinics are requiring this extra level of proficiency in their employees.

"When you think of medical assisting, the canvas is quite open for those who desire to learn more each and every day," Meyer said.

Take The Next Step Towards a Brighter Future

Interested in learning more about our Medical Assistant program? We have a Concorde representative ready to talk about what matters most to you. Get answers about start dates, curriculum, financial aid, scholarships and more!

  1. Program length may be subject to change dependent on transfer credits and course load. Please refer to current course catalog for more information. Concorde does not guarantee admittance, graduation, subsequent employment or salary amount.

  2. Professional certification is not a requirement for graduation, may not be a requirement for employment nor does it guarantee employment.

  3. Financial aid is available to those who qualify but may not be available for all programs. Concorde does not guarantee financial aid or scholarship awards or amounts.

  4. Clinical hour requirements and delivery may vary by campus location and may be subject to change. Concorde does not guarantee clinical site assignments based upon student preference or geographic convenience; nor do clinical experiences guarantee graduation, post-clinical employment or salary outcomes.

  5. Registration and certification requirements for taking and passing these examinations are not controlled by Concorde, but by outside agencies, and are subject to change by the agency without notice. Therefore, Concorde cannot guarantee that graduates will be eligible to take these exams, at all or at any specific time, regardless of their eligibility status upon enrollment.

  6. Externships are a non-paid in-person learning experience, whose length and location may be subject to change. Concorde does not guarantee externship placement, graduation, post-externship employment or salary outcomes.