Have you been sitting there, contemplating your next move, and suddenly, boom, it hits you? You’ve discovered an exciting career as a medical assistant. You might be thinking, “This sounds like a fulfilling career—I get to work in healthcare, help patients, and earn up to $40,000 a year!” But wait, what skills do you need to work as a medical assistant? What is expected of you as a beginner with no experience in healthcare? Will it be challenging to acquire these skills and succeed in this field?
In this guide, we’ll dive deep into the top seven medical assistant skills, and how to acquire them quickly and effectively. Whether you’re just starting out or considering a switch to this career, these skills will set you up for success.
1. Vital Sign Measurement
The first clinical skill you’ll need as a medical assistant is the ability to measure and record vital signs. Whenever a patient visits a physician, you’ll likely be tasked with taking their vital signs. This includes measuring body temperature, pulse rate, blood pressure, respiration rate, and blood oxygen levels.
Taking and recording vital signs is a core duty, as it helps streamline the physician’s work. By providing accurate and timely data, you help ensure the examination process goes smoothly. Physicians rely on these readings to assess the patient’s current condition, and you’ll play a critical role in ensuring the information is correct.
How to Learn It:
You can acquire this skill through a medical assistant training program or on-the-job experience. Many medical assistant training programs provide hands-on practice, ensuring that you’re proficient in taking and documenting vital signs before you step into a healthcare facility.
2. CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)
CPR is an essential skill for any healthcare professional, including medical assistants. You need to be prepared to respond in an emergency, such as when a patient’s heart stops beating. Medical assistants are often the first to arrive at the scene of an emergency in outpatient facilities or clinics. Having the ability to perform life-saving CPR is not just an expectation but a necessity.
How to Learn It:
Most medical assistant programs include CPR certification as part of the curriculum. You can also take standalone CPR certification classes, which are often available through organizations like the American Red Cross.
3. Medical Terminology
In a healthcare setting, you’ll be working alongside physicians, nurses, and other medical professionals. To communicate effectively, you need to be fluent in medical terminology. Understanding medical language allows you to assist physicians during procedures, record accurate patient notes, and understand the diagnoses and treatments being discussed.
Familiarity with medical terms is also crucial when dealing with patient records, medications, and billing systems. Without this knowledge, it can be challenging to perform tasks effectively and efficiently.
How to Learn It:
Many online medical assistant courses offer focused lessons on medical terminology. Flashcards, apps, and textbooks are also great resources to help you memorize and understand the terms commonly used in healthcare.
4. Scheduling and Appointment Setting
Beyond clinical duties, medical assistants are often responsible for administrative tasks, such as scheduling appointments and managing patient inflow. This skill is essential for ensuring the healthcare facility runs smoothly. You’ll need to schedule patient visits based on the physician’s availability, set up follow-up appointments, and accommodate emergencies.
While this may sound simple, it requires careful organization and time management. You’ll be working in a busy environment where things can change rapidly, so being adept at juggling appointments is a vital skill.
How to Learn It:
You’ll likely learn scheduling and appointment-setting techniques through on-the-job training. However, if you’re seeking a head start, many medical assistant certification programs include administrative training that covers patient scheduling, using scheduling software, and customer service skills.
5. Computer Literacy
In today’s healthcare landscape, much of the work is digitized. From electronic health records (EHR) to scheduling software and digital communication with specialists, medical assistants are expected to be proficient with computers and other devices. This includes entering patient information accurately, filing insurance claims, scheduling tests, and handling patient billing systems.
Without a strong grasp of computer skills, you may struggle in your role. Modern healthcare facilities are highly dependent on technology, and being computer literate is a non-negotiable skill for medical assistants.
How to Learn It:
If you’re not already tech-savvy, there are countless online resources, including tutorials and basic computer courses, that can help you build your digital skills. Most medical assistant programs will also include training on EHR systems and other healthcare software.
6. Multitasking and Organization
Healthcare environments are dynamic, fast-paced, and sometimes chaotic. On any given day, you may be tasked with taking vital signs, handling patient records, scheduling appointments, and responding to emergencies—all within a few hours. As a result, multitasking is one of the most important skills you need as a medical assistant.
The ability to juggle multiple clinical and administrative tasks effectively requires strong organizational skills. You’ll need to prioritize tasks based on urgency, manage your time wisely, and ensure nothing falls through the cracks. This will not only make your job easier but will also improve patient care.
How to Learn It:
You can improve your multitasking and organizational skills through practice and experience. Start by making to-do lists, prioritizing tasks, and setting realistic goals. As you gain more experience in a healthcare setting, you’ll become more efficient at managing multiple responsibilities at once.
7. Empathy
Last but certainly not least is empathy. As a medical assistant, you’re not just dealing with medical procedures—you’re also working with patients who may be anxious, nervous, or in pain. Having the ability to understand and share the feelings of your patients can make a world of difference in how they experience their visit to the doctor.
By demonstrating empathy, you can build trust, make patients feel heard, and help ease their fears. Being compassionate also improves communication, as patients are more likely to open up about their symptoms and concerns when they feel comfortable and understood.
How to Learn It:
Empathy is more of a natural ability, but it can be nurtured. Take the time to listen actively to patients, show kindness in small interactions, and put yourself in their shoes. These small acts of empathy can significantly enhance the patient experience.
Conclusion
Becoming a medical assistant is a rewarding career choice, but it requires a blend of clinical, administrative, and interpersonal skills. From taking vital signs and performing CPR to scheduling appointments and showing empathy to patients, mastering these seven key skills will set you on the path to success.
Whether you choose to pursue a formal education or gain these skills through on-the-job training, you could be ready to step into this fulfilling role in as little as six months. Take the leap into a career where you can make a meaningful impact every day!
Preppy’s Medical Assistant Training Program
Overview
Preppy’s Medical Assistant Training Program is entirely online and self-paced, making it ideal for students who need flexibility. Preppy’s program is offered in partnership with Auburn University, providing a reputable university certificate upon completion.
Program Highlights
- Mode of Delivery: 100% online and self-paced.
- Program Duration: 4 to 6 months, with access for up to a year.
- Tuition Cost: $1,599, which includes training materials.
- Certification: Prepares students for the CCMA certification exam.
- Practical Experience: Includes an externship opportunity at a local healthcare facility.
- Additional Benefits: Offers job placement assistance for eligible graduates and a free laptop if you pay the tuition in full.
Pros and Cons
- Pros: Preppy’s program offers unparalleled flexibility with online, self-paced learning. The tuition is affordable, and students receive a university certificate from Auburn University. The program prepares students for the CCMA certification and includes an externship opportunity for hands-on experience. The job placement assistance and free laptop are additional perks that make this program stand out.
- Cons: As with any online program, students must be self-motivated to succeed. However, the benefits far outweigh this potential drawback.
Also read: Is Medical Assistant School Hard?
About:
Preppy was founded by higher education expert, Grant Aldrich, whose work on college affordability and accessibility has been featured in Forbes, Bloomberg Businessweek, Business Insider, American Express, AOL, MSN, Thrive Global, Reader’s Digest, Inside Higher Ed, Evolllution, EducationDive, and nearly 100 radio shows and podcasts.
Time is money. Instead of programs that could take 2 years, Preppy provides you with education in a few months through immersive online training.
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