Although the exact amount of time can vary, it typically takes nine months to two years for most aspiring medical assistants. Becoming a medical assistant involves a number of steps, including graduating from high school, acquiring medical assistant training, and obtaining certifications.
Medical Office Receptionist: What's the Difference? Medical administrative assistants can help with both clinical and clerical tasks while a medical office receptionist helps exclusively with administrative work.
In many ways, the duties of a medical assistant and a medical office assistant overlap. But in general, a medical office assistant is an exclusively administrative specialist while a medical assistant is cross trained to tackle both clerical and clinical tasks.
Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook and other tools in the Microsoft suite are standard tools used by office administrators and medical office assistants to produce, maintain and store all manner of documents created in the office environment. Google Present is their version of Powerpoint.
Steps to Become a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)
- Step 1: Obtain a High School Diploma or GED (Four Years)
- Step 2: Complete a Required Medical Assistant Program (One to Two Years)
- Step 3: Pass the CMA Examination (Less Than One Year)
- Step 4: Maintain the AAMA (CMA) Credential (Every 60 Months)
The average receptionist salary in Australia is $57,364 per year or $29.42 per hour. Entry-level positions start at $50,700 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $64,977 per year.
As of May 2017, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that the average receptionist salary is $29,640 annually, or $14.25 hourly. The lowest-paid 10 percent of receptionists make under $20,080 annually, or $9.65 hourly. The average wage for a receptionist per hour varies based on work setting too.
Front desk receptionists usually act as gatekeepers for an office. They allow access to other employees, answer phones, transfer calls, schedule appointments, answer questions, give directions and manage the flow of traffic in the office. It is the front desk receptionist who greets anyone who enters the building.
1. Medical technologist. Primary duties: A medical technologist works in a hospital's lab to perform tests, such as cell counts, drug tests and bacteria cultures. They prepare blood, tissue and other samples and use specialized equipment to test them.
Medical assistants are health care professionals who assist doctors in clinics and medical offices. They may show you to the exam room, take your vital signs, and check your height and weight. Medical assistants will ask about your symptoms and health concerns, and pass that information on to your doctor.
Receptionists
| Healthcare and social assistance | $15.46 |
|---|
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 15.09 |
| Administrative and support services | 14.98 |
| Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations | 14.37 |
| Personal care services | 12.91 |
Here's a list of 7 quick certifications that pay well:
- Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) Training time: 11 weeks.
- Professional Coder. Training time: 20 weeks.
- Pharmacy Technician Professional.
- Medical Assistant.
- Medical Front Office Administration Specialist.
- Behavioral Technician Specialist.
- Patient Care Technician (PCT)
Where Do Medical Office Assistant Work?
- Doctors' offices (general practitioners and specialists)
- Hospitals.
- Minor-emergency care clinics.
- Surgical centers.
- Rehab centers.
- Birthing centers.
- Outpatient care clinics.
- Dental and Orthodontic practices.
When working as a Medical Office Assistant, you have the opportunity to work in a number of work environments. Completing administrative and clerical tasks such as medical records, data entry and billing. Completing insurance and other claim forms. Scheduling and confirming client appointments.
