In the realm of healthcare, several roles work together to provide reliable care to patients and their families. Medical assistants are key players on healthcare teams. Their skills are needed in a variety of medical settings, including plastic surgery. Plastic surgery medical assistants juggle a wide range of responsibilities to support plastic surgeons and maintain a high level of care for patients.
Prism Career Institute offers a medical assistant program at campus locations in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Cherry Hill, New Jersey, and West Atlantic City, New Jersey. Here, we detail the ins and outs of plastic surgery medical assisting and how our medical assistant program can get you started on the path toward this career.
What Does a Plastic Surgery Medical Assistant Do?
Plastic surgery is widely popular in the United States, leading all countries. An estimated 26.2 million surgical and minimally invasive cosmetic and reconstructive procedures were performed in 2022 alone. The top procedures include:
- Liposuction
- Eyelid surgery
- Breast augmentation
- Skin resurfacing
- Neuromodulator injectors
- Lip augmentation
- Skin treatment
To provide the best quality of patient care, plastic surgeons rely on medical assistants. A plastic surgery medical assistant works directly with the surgeon, assisting with a variety of reconstructive and cosmetic procedures. In addition to assisting with treatments, other common duties that plastic surgeon assistants perform include:
Prepare Patients and Equipment for Procedures
One of the main responsibilities of a plastic surgery medical assistant is to prepare patients, equipment, and supplies for surgical procedures and examinations. This involves ensuring the procedure area is sterile, as well as making sure the proper equipment is laid out for the procedure. Medical assistants prepare patients for their procedures by giving them instructions and providing them with information about the treatment.
Monitor Patients After Procedures
Depending on the type of procedure performed, patients may need to be monitored. This responsibility falls on the shoulders of the medical assistant. Plastic surgeon assistants will regularly measure patients’ vital signs and note any changes in their health.
Educate Patients About Aftercare
Post-operative care is a crucial part of the healing process for patients. Improper aftercare can lead to serious complications and reduce the effectiveness of the procedure. Medical assistants are responsible for educating patients about their recovery period. This entails providing patients with detailed instructions on what they should be doing, as well as what they should not be doing.
Order Essential Supplies
No medical practice can function without the proper medical supplies. One of the administrative duties that plastic surgeon assistants are tasked with is making sure the practice has a sufficient stock of supplies on hand. This includes surgical supplies, supplies for aftercare, and general office supplies. Medical assistants are in charge of monitoring supply levels and restocking.
Job Outlook and Potential Earnings for Plastic Surgery Medical Assistants
Given their skills and the significant role they play, medical assistants are in demand across the entire health sector. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job demand for medical assistants, including plastic surgeon assistants, is projected to increase by 14% from 2022 to 2032. This impressive growth rate is much faster than the average anticipated growth rate of all occupations.
The average salary for plastic surgery medical assistants is $40,834. Salaries for this role generally range between $37,352 and $44,555 and are dependent on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years spent working in the profession.
Begin Your Quest Toward Becoming a Plastic Surgery Medical Assistant
Individuals wishing to break into the medical field with a passion for helping people look their best should consider pursuing the role of plastic surgery medical assistant. This rewarding career can offer several desirable benefits and lead to a variety of career paths with additional training.
Those wishing to pursue this specialty can jumpstart their careers by enrolling in the medical assistant program at Prism Career Institute. Offered at our campuses in Philadelphia, PA, Cherry Hill, NJ, and West Atlantic City, NJ, this 40-week program features an in-depth curriculum to better prepare students for life after graduation. The program is offered during the day and at night at our New Jersey campuses, as well as during the day in Philadelphia to better accommodate the lives of our students. Some additional training may be needed for graduates who wish to specialize in plastic surgery.
In addition to convenient class schedules, Prism Career Institute also offers financial aid opportunities to students who qualify. Apply online today or contact us for more information.