Medical assistants play a crucial role in improving a patient’s experience. Whether by greeting patients at the front desk, assisting with paperwork, or helping doctors during exams, medical assistants ensure that treatment runs smoothly. They do the same and may do more when serving in an OB/GYN office.
Prism Career Institute offers a Medical Assistant program at campuses in Cherry Hill and West Atlantic City, New Jersey, as well as in Philadelphia, PA. Through this program, we train students in the necessary skills to succeed in a variety of specialties, including Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN). Here, we discuss what students can expect when beginning a career as an OB/GYN medical assistant.
Education Requirements
OB/GYN medical assistants are required, at the minimum, to earn a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) certificate. Some also choose to earn a 2-year or associate degree to help them stand out in a large pool of applicants.
After meeting the basic requirements, would-be medical assistants must complete an accredited medical assistant program. The diploma program offered by Prism Career Institute takes 10 months to complete and features a robust curriculum. Students are trained in the skills they will need to excel in the field, including:
- Medical terminology
- Medical laws and ethics
- Foundations in biology, chemistry, human anatomy, and physiology
- Coursework in common clerical, clinical, and laboratory duties
- Hygiene and infection control
- Hands-on demonstrations and experience
The diploma program also prepares students for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam. Passing the exam is required to show that graduates are prepared for a rigorous career in the healthcare industry. Further exams, such as the Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) exam or the Certified Electrocardiograph Technician (CET) exam, can open opportunities in more specialized areas of OB/GYN.
Assistants must also log 100 hours of continuing education every two years and become re-certified every six. This ensures that their skills remain up to date with growing knowledge and evolving practices.
Where Do OB/GYN Medical Assistants Work?
Once OB/GYN medical assistants have completed their diploma programs and certification, a variety of opportunities become open to them. OB/GYN medical assistants can be found in physician offices, family planning centers, hospital outpatient clinics, urgent care, health maintenance organizations (HMOs), and more. They work in a variety of sub-fields ranging from prenatal and postnatal care to menopause management and even surgical units.
Medical assistant careers also have a positive outlook. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts a 14% growth through 2032. This is a much faster rate of growth than the national average and indicates a large number of job openings. Many of these openings are in major cities, but OB/GYN medical assistants are needed everywhere.
Clinical Duties
The first part of an OB/GYN medical assistant’s duties is clinical. In this area, assistants support doctors and other medical staff in providing healthcare services to patients. They typically work in prenatal or postnatal care, but may also work with STD management, menopause management, infertility, and emergency care. Medical assistants are expected to handle a variety of routine tasks at a moment’s notice. Duties depend on the specific workplace, but they typically include:
- Administering medications
- Collecting patient medical histories
- Preparing patients for examination
- Explaining treatments and procedures to patients
- Delivering information about medications, special diets, and other instructions
- Measuring temperature, blood pressure, and other vital signs
- Performing sample collections, blood draws, and other laboratory tests
- Performing electrocardiograms (EKGs)
The clinical duties of a medical assistant are often confused with those of a physician’s assistant, or PA. A key difference is that medical assistants cannot diagnose patients or issue treatments or prescriptions. These duties can only be performed by a licensed physician or PA.
Administrative Duties
In addition to their clinical duties, OB/GYN medical assistants perform a variety of administrative tasks. The scope of these responsibilities may vary depending on the specific employer, the organization’s size, and the state and municipal laws it must follow. In general, however, medical assistants can expect to perform the following:
- Scheduling appointments
- Welcoming patients at the front desk
- Answering communications by email or telephone
- Collecting insurance information
- Coordinating laboratory services and hospital admissions
- Updating medical records on a computer network
- Managing billing and bookkeeping
These tasks are essential to keeping a healthcare facility or organization operating. By completing them, OB/GYN medical assistants ensure that patients receive the care they need, when they need it, and with maximum comfort and respect.
Start Your Career Journey at Prism Career Institute
Completing a medical assistant program is an excellent way to kickstart your new career in healthcare. If you aren’t sure this is the right path for you, our Prism Medical Assistant Career Readiness Quiz takes only a few minutes to complete and can provide a personalized report. If you’re ready to pursue a career as an OB/GYN medical assistant, apply today for the Medical Assistant program at Prism Career Institute. You can contact us for more information on our program and its admission requirements.