Medical assistants work in all kinds of patient care settings, from large hospitals and surgery centers to small family practices. Some medical assistants choose to narrow their focus by working in a specific area of medicine, such as cardiology or podiatry. This is an exciting option for medical assistants, as specializations can translate into higher pay as their careers progress. Prism Career Institute provides an outstanding medical assistant program at campuses in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Here, we highlight a few of the healthcare settings where you may be able to earn a higher medical assistant salary.
Typical Medical Assistant Duties
Regardless of where they work, medical assistants often have a mix of clinical and administrative duties. Some of the typical tasks a medical assistant regularly performs include:
- Maintaining and updating electronic medical records
- Measuring patient vital signs
- Preparing patients for examinations, diagnostic testing, or medical procedures
- Drawing blood
- Providing patient education or instructions
- Scheduling patient appointments
- Performing medical billing and coding
Medical Assistant Specialties
Medical assistants are needed in all kinds of clinical settings. Specializations that could lead to a higher salary include:
Podiatry
Podiatrists specialize in diagnosing and treating foot and ankle conditions. Some podiatrists work in private practice while others are part of a larger medical center. Podiatry medical assistants work alongside these specialized physicians to help appointments run smoothly and ensure effective patient care. These specialized medical assistants may examine patients’ feet, document symptoms, help with minor surgical procedures, or show patients how to use shoe inserts or other types of foot orthotics.
Ophthalmology
Ophthalmologists are doctors who specialize in vision care and diseases of the eyes. In ophthalmology settings, medical assistants may perform basic eye exams. They also deliver patient education, showing individuals how to properly care for their contact lenses or glasses. During appointments, they assist ophthalmologists by preparing medical supplies, updating medical records, and preparing informational materials for patients.
Fertility Clinic
Fertility clinics offer specialized care for patients who are having difficulty conceiving. The providers at fertility clinics may be reproductive endocrinologists, obstetricians/gynecologists (OBGYNs), or nurse practitioners. Some medical assistants at fertility clinics help with scheduling patients for appointments and procedures. Others instruct patients on how to administer injected medications. Medical assistant responsibilities also, can include collecting blood samples from patients who are undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF) or intrauterine insemination (IUI).
Cardiology
Cardiologists diagnose and treat conditions of the heart and blood vessels. Some patients see a cardiologist for a chronic condition such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure. Others are referred to a cardiologist after an acute event, such as a heart attack. Cardiology medical assistants may help with performing diagnostic tests, such as electrocardiograms (EKGs) or computed tomography (CT) scans. They also may measure and record patient vital signs, collect blood samples, and schedule patient appointments.
Oncology
Oncologists provide medical care and treatment for patients who have been diagnosed with cancer. In an oncology setting, medical assistants may support physicians by taking blood samples, scheduling patients for procedures such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy and greeting patients when they arrive for appointments. Oncology medical assistants also may help patients manage the side effects of cancer treatment, providing education on steps they can take to feel better and mitigate symptoms.
Dermatology
Dermatologists specialize in diagnosing and treating conditions and diseases that affect the skin, as well as the nails, hair, and mucous membranes. Medical assistants in dermatology offices have a range of duties. They may assist a dermatologist with minor procedures, such as removing moles or skin tags. They might educate patients on how to manage minor skin concerns like acne. Because dermatologists monitor patients for several types of skin cancer, medical assistants may even help with photographing areas of the skin that may be of concern.
The medical assistant program at Prism Career Institute in New Jersey and Pennsylvania can serve as a springboard into these specialties, although additional training may be required after graduation for employment in specialized fields. Through Prism Career Institute’s medical assisting program, students gain 720 hours of training, with a well-rounded curriculum that covers topics that include clinical procedures, phlebotomy, records management, and medical law.
Study Medical Assisting at Prism Career Institute
Ready to start your journey into a healthcare career? At Prism Career Institute, we offer training programs in medical assisting at our campuses in Cherry Hill and West Atlantic City, NJ, and Philadelphia, PA. Taught by passionate, caring faculty, our medical assistant programs offer a mix of classroom instruction and hands-on learning. Plus, students gain real-world experience through 150-hour medical assistant externships.
Prism Career Institute is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training and offers financial aid to students who qualify. For more information about our programs, contact us today.