How to Become a Medical Assistant

How to Become a Medical Assistant

If you feel your true calling is in the medical field, but your circumstances don’t allow you years of studying and incurring the financial burden to get that degree, don’t despair. You should look into the position of a medical assistant. Read on to find out how this might be the right fit for you!

How to Become a Medical Assistant

Definition of a Medical Assistant

Medical assistants are healthcare professionals that provide support to doctors and other medical staff in outpatient facilities, such as clinics and physicians’ offices. They perform both clinical and administrative tasks, such as taking patient histories and vital signs, scheduling appointments, handling correspondence, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes. 

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Medical assistants usually report to an office manager or a lead medical assistant, but they also work very closely with physicians and other medical staff. They need to be able to take direction well and work efficiently in a fast-paced environment.

Benefits Of Being a Medical Assistant

There are many reasons to consider a career as a medical assistant in the United Kingdom. Medical assistants enjoy a number of benefits, including but not limited to:

  1. High demand – The UK Department for Health and Social Care predicts that the number of medical assistant jobs will grow by almost 15% between 2018 and 2028 .
  2. Competitive pay – Medical assistants in the UK earn a median salary of £22,000 per year.
  3. Flexible hours – Medical assistants often have the opportunity to work part-time or full-time, depending on their availability and the needs of their employer.
  4. Job satisfaction – Medical assistants typically report high levels of job satisfaction, as they are able to directly help patients and make a difference in their lives. If you’re looking for a career in the medical field that is both rewarding and offers competitive pay, this is a great option.

There are a few things you should keep in mind if you’re considering a career as a medical assistant. 

Medical assistants need to be:

  1. Compassionate – Medical assistants work closely with patients and need to be able to empathize with them and provide support.
  2. Detail-oriented – Medical assistants need to be able to pay attention to detail in order to accurately take patient histories, measure vital signs, and schedule appointments.
  3. Organized – Medical assistants need to be able to keep track of patients’ medical records, lab results, and appointment schedules.
  4. Communicative – Medical assistants need to be able to effectively communicate with patients, doctors, and other medical staff.

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Ways to Become A Medical Assistant

There are a few different ways that you can become a medical assistant in the United Kingdom. The most common way is to complete an accredited Medical Assistant programme at a college or university. Alternatively, some employers may offer on-the-job training for individuals who are interested in becoming medical assistants.

Once you have completed your training, you will need to take and pass the Medical Assistant Certification Exam in order to become certified. This exam is offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) and can be taken at a testing center near you. 

Once you have passed the certification exam, you will be a registered medical assistant and can start working in the UK!

Academic Requirements

There are no specific academic requirements to become a medical assistant in the UK. However, most Medical Assistant programmes will require you to have at least a high school diploma or equivalent. If you’re interested in completing an accredited Medical Assistant programme, there are many options available. These programmes typically take one year to complete and can be taken at a college or university near you.

Conclusion

Becoming a medical assistant in the United Kingdom is a great way to start your career in the medical field. Make sure to do your research and find an accredited Medical Assistant programme that fits your needs. With hard work and dedication, you’ll be on your way to becoming a certified medical assistant in no time!

References

  1. “How to Become a Medical Assistant in the UK” SHA (2022):

https://www.sochealth.co.uk/sp/tech/how-to-become-a-medical-assistant-in-the-uk/

2. “Healthcare assistant” NHS (2022):

https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/healthcare-support-worker/roles-healthcare-support-worker/healthcare-assistant

3. “Where to Find Medical Assistants” Betterteam (2022):

https://www.betterteam.com/uk/where-to-find-medical-assistant