When you think about it, the medical assistant acts as the coherent center around which the medical workplace functions. They usually have a handle on the schedule, electronic health record protocols, practitioner preferences, and the mood of the patients. And there is probably a point of connection or shared task with almost every team member in the organization. That’s why the medical assistant program at Prism Career Institute offers students a comprehensive curriculum, focusing on both the technical knowledge and soft skills that are so important to this vital medical role. Find out more about our program offered in Philadelphia, PA, and Cherry Hill and West Atlantic City, NJ.
What Are Soft Skills?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare support occupations require the ability to use judgment, make decisions, interact with others, and adapt to changes in jobs. These are examples of soft skills, which focus on abilities related to interpersonal interaction, cooperative behaviors, and adaptability.
High on the list of cognitive and mental requirements for healthcare is verbal communication. Medical assistants need effective communication skills. They must understand and relay requests clearly from practitioners and patients. Handling phone calls with insurance companies, they facilitate approvals and billing authorizations for patients. Educating patients and families about their diagnoses and illnesses, and helping to make sure they understand prescribed treatments, are both important support functions performed by medical assistants.
In addition to effective communication, medical assistants benefit from the ability to practice these soft skills:
- Teamwork (fostering a collaborative attitude and actions)
- Stress management (ability to avoid burnout and practice self-care)
- Patience (not rushing patients and staff, remaining calm)
- Professional demeanor (appearing friendly, efficient, and understanding)
- Problem-solving (adapting to new circumstances and challenges)
- Detail-oriented (following through with precision)
- Following instructions (understanding and implementing directives)
- Work ethic (steadily progressing and showing enthusiasm at work)
- Enthusiasm for learning (willing to incorporate new ideas and procedures)
- Open to feedback (incorporating feedback without defensive attitudes)
We Help Medical Assistants Practice Soft Skills
Soft skills aren’t usually taught as part of a curriculum, but they can be incorporated into the educational experience, inside and outside of the classroom. The outstanding staff at Prism Career Institute encourages collaboration and teamwork as students progress through the medical assistant program. What’s more, they provide honest feedback aimed at encouraging personal growth and development. Students find themselves operating in a highly professional atmosphere, where they can expand their soft skills through the mentorship of staff, as well as training in real-world settings within the required medical assistant externship.
We provide our medical assistant program students with choices and options within the field. The curriculum includes units that prepare students for a variety of phlebotomy career paths and if they are willing to pursue additional training and certifications, medical coding career paths. We understand that the U.S. healthcare sector is complex and that healthcare professionals work in many different settings, requiring unique combinations of education, experience, and soft skills. After passing additional licensure exams after graduation, our students may find employment in medical specialties and institutions, including:
- Hospitals and clinics
- Rehabilitation and elder care facilities
- Laboratories
- Surgical and outpatient centers
- Physician offices and medical groups
Develop Needed Skills for Medical Assistant Jobs
The medical assistant program at Prism Career Institute can be completed in only ten months and includes an externship in which students gain valuable practical experience. And the medical assistant career path contains many possibilities and opportunities for advancement. These in-demand healthcare professionals have skills that can be applied to many medical workplace settings. Our students are caring, compassionate people who like to work with others, and want to help them achieve the best possible outcomes. In the workplace, they smooth the way for their team to help as many patients as possible, solve billing and approval problems, and make a meaningful difference as they help medical professionals examine and care for patients. They also draw blood and prepare lab samples. And they are experts with the medical coding that is integral to modern billing practices, as well as important databases and scientific research.
Prism Career Institute offers the medical assistant program at all three of our convenient campus locations, in Philadelphia, PA, and Cherry Hill and West Atlantic City, NJ. Discover a versatile career and work within the ever-growing medical field. Contact us today.