How Medical Assistants Are Making a Big Difference with Little People: Medical Assistants in Pediatrics
February 21, 2009
•SBC-Fenton
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Enjoy working with children? Want to work in the exciting medical field? Combine your interests and begin pursuing a career as a medical assistant. Medical assistants provide a wide range of support to doctors and nurses in two primary areas: clinical assistance and administrative assistance. Medical assistant program graduates, who have completed healthcare courses, work in virtually every medical field ranging from cardiology to emergency medicine to pediatrics. Consequently, individuals who have completed medical assistant courses and medical assistant training may be able to select which field they wish to specialize in. For individuals with an interest in working with children, a medical assistant program can help you prepare to work in medical offices and pediatric departments of hospitals.
Teach Kids about Healthy Living with Medical Assistant Training
Medical assistants fill several key roles in pediatricians' offices. They are often the first interaction individuals will have with the office, either over the phone or at the front desk. Medical assistants can help teach children about healthy lifestyles and how they can recuperate from an illness and stay healthy. Medical assistants also impact a child's doctor's office experience. Many children can be frightened during a trip to the doctor; medical assistants can help calm their fears by providing friendly medical care.
Medical assistants also aid pediatricians by maintaining patients' charts, ensuring procedures and doctor notes are marked accurately in files and insurance forms are completed properly.
Work in a Hospital as a Medical Assistant
The majority of medical assistants (62%) work in doctor's offices, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, Medical Assistants, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos164.htm (visited January 09, 2009)..
However, medical assistant program graduates, who have completed medical assistant courses, may also find employment opportunities in pediatric departments of hospitals. Medical assistants who work in hospitals play similar roles to those in physician's offices however, they will likely interact with children who are in critical medical states more frequently. While this presents emotional and intellectual challenges, it also provides opportunities for immense fulfillment. Medical assistants in these situations may be able to work with terminally ill children and children who have suffered severe trauma.
Getting Your Medical Assistant Diploma and Medical Assistant Training
As a great deal of individuals will likely apply for these positions, medical assistant courses and medical assistant training may be the help you need to edge out the competition. Medical assistant courses and a medical assistant degree are also crucial in helping prepare students to provide quality treatment in the professional arena.
Sanford-Brown College-Fenton's (SBC) medical assistant diploma program offers healthcare education in: medical practice, medical law and ethics, medical communications, medical records, insurance, patient preparation, and basic laboratory procedures and tests. Your medical assistant training at SBC can also give you real life experience through an externship. To take the first step towards pursuing a medical assistant career in pediatrics, click here.
Sanford-Brown - Fenton is close to many locations:
Ballwin, MO - approximately 8.0 miles
St. Peters, MO - approximately 28.2 miles
O'Fallon, MO - approximately 28.0 miles
St. Louis, MO - approximately 19.7 miles
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, Medical Assistants, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos164.htm (visited January 09, 2009).