Have you ever been called a “people person”? If you are confident in your interpersonal skills, a medical assistant career may be right for you. Prism Career Institute provides a training program for prospective medical assistants in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Here, we introduce the four most important personality qualities of a medical assistant.
What Do Medical Assistants Do?
Medical assistants are trained support staff found in hospitals, nursing facilities, and medical organizations everywhere. They help healthcare organizations run smoothly by performing a wide variety of tasks. Many of these take place in the clinic, where they aid doctors and nurses with exams and simple procedures. Common clinical medical assistant responsibilities include:
- Administering injections and medications
- Helping with physical examinations
- Measuring and monitoring vital signs
- Collecting samples for laboratory tests
- Performing electrocardiograms (EKGs)
- Explaining treatments and tests to patients
- Delivering doctor’s instructions
Medical assistants also provide valuable administrative support. By reviewing records, handling correspondence, and managing workflows, medical assistants keep their workplace efficient and effective at providing the health services patients need. Administrative duties may include:
- Scheduling appointments
- Welcoming patients at the front desk
- Accepting and returning phone calls
- Collecting insurance information
- Managing medical billing
- Coordinating admissions and referrals
You may notice a commonality between many of these tasks. A large number of medical assistant responsibilities involve face-to-face interaction with patients. As a result, robust interpersonal skills are a necessity. We’ll take a look at what those are below.
1. A Good Communicator
The first quality medical assistants require is communication. When interacting with patients, you’ll need to communicate effectively. This might involve translating complex medical terms into simple language that patients can understand. It might also involve asking the right questions to gather information about symptoms or a patient’s medical history. You’ll also need to coordinate with the nurses and doctors you work with, which will require a different kind of communication.
If you are naturally an excellent communicator, medical assisting may be a good profession for you. If not, don’t worry; communication strategies can be learned and improved through practice. Your training program at Prism Career Institute will provide ample opportunity to sharpen this skill.
2. Compassionate Toward Patients
Second, medical assistants must be compassionate. By listening attentively and attuning to patient’s feelings, you show patients that their concerns are heard and acknowledged. You also provide emotional support during what might be a challenging time. When patients feel heard and supported, they can relax more during health assessments. They also feel more confident in the healthcare service they receive. This in turn makes them more likely to comply with doctor’s instructions outside the office, improving their treatment outcomes.
3. Detail-Oriented
The medical industry is constantly on the move. During a single day as a medical assistant, you may perform a wide variety of both clinical and administrative duties while working with dozens of patients. At any point, you may need to set aside your current task to handle something more urgent.
As a result, medical assistants must be meticulous. Careless behavior leads to forgotten tasks, confusion, and, sometimes, dangerous mistakes. These problems can only be avoided with close attention to detail and a thorough approach to all your responsibilities. These qualities are just as important in administration as they are in the clinic – and as a bonus, they’ll be useful during your studies as well.
4. Adapts to Circumstances
Finally, medical assistants must be adaptable. No two days are ever identical when working in a medical setting. In a single workday, you might jump several times between administrative and clinical duties. Urgent developments may require sudden shifts in your workflow. Busy shifts and emergency scenarios can rearrange the entire facility’s priorities.
To navigate this work environment effectively, you must be able to adjust quickly to new conditions. This skill is difficult to develop without experience. For this reason, Prism Career Institute requires all medical assistant students to complete an externship. Students gain hands-on experience working within a healthcare facility, enabling them to practice their adaptability and resilience. Mastering this quality will make you an effective worker who can accept all kinds of opportunities with confidence.
Learn More about the Qualities of a Medical Assistant
If you are unsure whether you possess the proper qualities of a medical assistant, our free quiz can assess your readiness and help you determine whether a career in the medical field is right for you. If you’re ready to start training, enroll now with Prism Career Institute. Our medical assistant program is available at campuses in Philadelphia, PA, as well as Cherry Hill and West Atlantic City, NJ. Contact us to learn more about admissions requirements or to get started.