Those who are looking to enter the medical field have already shown they care about those in their communities. Being able to help others for a living will make each day feel special. However, those who wish to become medical assistants can actually gain some valuable experience before they even take on a professional position. Here, Prism Career Institute will help you see why you should volunteer as a medical assistant during your training.
What Do Medical Assistants Do?
Medical assistants are healthcare professionals who take on various roles and responsibilities throughout the day. From organizational tasks to working closely with patients, you can expect to perform both administrative and clinical duties, including:
- Preparing patients to see their doctors
- Reporting symptoms and updating medical histories
- Providing necessary medications
- Drawing blood
- Taking vitals
- Submitting requests for prescription refills
- Changing wound dressings and taking out stitches
- Scheduling follow-up appointments and visits to labs or hospitals
- Answering calls
- Managing medical coding and billing
- Filling out insurance forms
Why Volunteer as a Medical Assistant?
Because medical assistants are such valuable members of their facilities, they need to be ready to handle whatever the day throws at them. Volunteering as a medical assistant is something that every student should consider because it offers many advantages, including:
Experience
There’s a lot to learn if you want to become a reliable medical assistant, so the more experience you can get the better. Those who volunteer during their training can take on real-life responsibilities, which will give them confidence in their abilities. Whether you’re looking to hone your clinical skills or just want to get a better understanding of what life will be like in a busy work environment, volunteering is a great way to get a feel for the job.
Learning What You Like
Not all work environments are the same. Considering medical assistants can be found in hospitals, medical offices, resorts and spas, sports facilities, and numerous other work settings, volunteering lets you test the waters. If you’re not sure if a fast-paced hospital is right for you, spend some time working at one. If you think a relaxing atmosphere is more your speed, you can seek volunteer work at a clinic.
Making Connections
Those who volunteer don’t just gain experience working with patients but also working with fellow medical personnel. Volunteering allows you to make a name for yourself in the industry by meeting and working alongside seasoned professionals. They’ll be able to give you insight into the industry and what it takes to succeed, and, if you like the facility where you’ve volunteered, you may have a leg up on the competition when applying for a position there.
Making a Difference
While the pay and relationships you’ll make while working in the healthcare industry are benefits, many turn to this field because they wish to have a profound impact on the lives of those within their communities. Helping patients who are sick or injured will leave you feeling proud of your work, and being able to set their minds at ease during health scares is an experience that many wouldn’t trade for the world.
Why Choose Our Medical Assistant School?
At Prism Career Institute, our medical assistant program provides students with an in-depth understanding of the profession and prepares them for life after graduation. We are proud to offer dedicated and passionate instructors who work with each student to help them learn both the clinical and administrative skills they’ll have to master to thrive in the industry. Our graduates may also take the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), helping them explore more job opportunities and the potential to make higher wages.
Our program takes around 40 weeks to complete and includes a total of 720 course hours. The curriculum contains important courses like anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, patient intake procedures, EKG, Electronic Health Records, professional communication, and more. The program combines lecture hours, lab hours, and externship hours, providing classwork with hands-on training. Our New Jersey campuses even offer evening schedules to let those who are busy during the day get the education opportunity they deserve.
Enroll Today
Choosing to volunteer as a medical assistant is a great way to get a head start in your career. Becoming a medical assistant starts with getting the thorough training you can only find in a reputable program like the ones at Prism Career Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Cherry Hill and West Atlantic City, NJ. We offer a career services department that assists you when it comes to writing resumes, practicing interviews, and finding opportunities for employment. If you’re ready to take the first step, contact us today.