Medical assistants play a significant role in the healthcare industry. They generally work alongside licensed physicians, helping provide quality care to patients while performing administrative duties to ensure the office runs smoothly. Medical assistants are in high demand in almost all sectors of healthcare, including dermatology.
Prism Career Institute provides an outstanding Medical Assistant Program at campuses in Philadelphia, PA, and in Cherry Hill and West Atlantic City, NJ. Here, we explain what a dermatology medical assistant is and their duties, as well as the job outlook of the profession.
What Is a Dermatology Medical Assistant?
A dermatology medical assistant is a specialty healthcare professional who focuses on the health and well-being of a patient’s skin. They aid certified dermatologists who care for patients of all ages with cosmetic concerns or serious skin conditions.
A dermatology medical assistant must be knowledgeable in the various skin conditions that a patient can endure. To perform this type of work, dermatology medical assistants generally work in a dermatology clinic or hospital. They may also work in cosmetic offices or even long-term care centers.
The Duties of a Dermatology Medical Assistant
Much like a traditional medical assistant, dermatology medical assistants will perform both clinical and administrative duties. Their efforts are vital to the overall quality of care patients receive. Common tasks dermatology medical assistants are expected to perform include:
Clinical Duties
- Measure patient’s vital signs: To get a better understanding of a patient’s current health status, dermatology medical assistants measure vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, and more.
- Aid with procedures: Most dermatology procedures are performed in-office. During these procedures, dermatologists rely on the aid of dermatology medical assistants.
- Collect samples: To help dermatologists get a better understanding of a patient’s medical condition, dermatology medical assistants will collect samples or biopsies of skin to have them tested in a laboratory.
- Apply medication to patient’s skin: Dermatology assistants may be asked to apply medication or ointments to the patient’s affected skin.
Administrative Duties
- Greet patients: Very often, patients are seen by medical assistants before being seen by the dermatologist. It’s the job of the dermatologist’s medical assistant to greet the patient and help make them feel comfortable.
- Answer phone calls: Depending on the medical office and the amount of staff on hand, dermatology medical assistants may be asked to answer phone calls regarding basic medical questions, medication refills, and more.
- Manage schedules: Dermatology medical assistants often are in charge of keeping the doctor’s schedule organized and helping appointments stay on track.
- Order supplies as needed: To help the office better serve its patients, dermatology medical assistants will keep track of inventory and make new orders when supplies are running low.
Job Outlook for Dermatology Medical Assistants
People who want a profession with job security often find it in the medical field. Qualified dermatology medical assistants continue to be in high demand. As the population ages, that trend likely will continue in the coming years. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 16% from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 123,000 openings for medical assistants are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings will be for dermatologist assistants.
Salary expectations for a dermatology medical assistant cover a wide range and often depend on experience, qualifications, location, and other factors. Typically, this specialty can lead to higher pay for a medical assistant. Dermatology medical assistants have the option of making the profession their permanent career choice or they can use the skills and experience they’ve gained and apply them to other roles in the medical field.
Avenue to Becoming a Dermatology Medical Assistant
Given all that’s asked of them, dermatology medical assistants must be highly knowledgeable and well-versed in several areas. Many of the role’s core duties can be learned through secondary training. Prism Career Institute can be a springboard to this specialty, equipping students with the skills they need to be successful dermatology medical assistants. Our Medical Assistant Program is a ten-month course that covers a wide range of medical topics, including:
- Patient Intake Procedures
- Anatomy and Physiology
- EKG
- Pharmacology
- Phlebotomy
- Medical Assisting Clinical Capstone
- Career Development
- Medical Office Procedures
- Electronic Health Records
Because this program does not focus specifically on dermatology medical assisting, some additional training may be required.
Enroll in Prism Career Institute Today
Those who wish to become a dermatology medical assistant can begin their path by enrolling in the Medical Assistant Program at Prism Career Institute. Offered at our campuses in Cherry Hill and West Atlantic City, NJ, and Philadelphia, PA, this program features a well-rounded curriculum that focuses on the core values needed to pursue careers in the medical field. We’re happy to offer financial aid to students who qualify. For more information about our programs and the career paths they can help you pursue, contact us today at Prism Career Institute.