A Medical Assistant perform administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of medical doctors, podiatrists, chiropractors, and health practitioners running smoothly. The duties of the medical assistant vary from office to office, depending on the location and size of the practice and the practitioners specialty. In small practices, medical assistants usually do many different kinds of tasks, handling both administrative and clinical duties and reporting directly to an office manager, medical doctors, or other health practitioner. Those in large practices tend to specialize in a particular area, under the supervision of department administrators.
According to the United States Department of Labor, employment for medical assistants is projected to grow much faster than average, ranking medical assistants jobs among the fastest growing occupations over the 2006-16 decade. Job opportunities should be excellent, particularly for those with formal training.
The earnings of medical assistants vary, depending on their experience, skill level, and location. Median annual earnings of medical assistants were $24,610 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between...