Jobs You Can Get with a Medical Assistant Degree

May 1, 2024

The Pennsylvania Institute of Technology is proud to offer the allied health – clinical medical assistant associate degree for students looking for a multifaceted program that fully prepares them for a rewarding and long-lasting career in healthcare. To help you get a sense of career options, we’ve prepared this high-level overview of the numerous opportunities you can pursue once obtaining your degree. Take a look below, and be sure to contact our team with any questions.

Key Responsibilities of a Medical Assistant

Within the healthcare sector, the role of a medical assistant includes completing various administrative duties in physician’s offices, outpatient clinics, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. Mainly offered as a full-time, salaried position, tasks can include scheduling appointments, recording patient vitals, and aspects such as:

• Assisting physicians with patient exams
• Administering patient injections or other medications
• Keeping a record of medical inventory in the workplace
• Taking the blood of patients for testing
• Preparing blood samples and lab tests when applicable
• Setting up systems and preparing patients for ECG covering

4 Occupations You Can Pursue with a Medical Assistant Degree

After graduating with a medical assistant degree, know that there are numerous occupations you can choose from that will directly align with your goals and aspirations. We’ve outlined four key possibilities below.

Medical Biller

From administering insurance invoices to collecting outstanding balances for each patient visit, the tasks of a medical biller are varied, and the role combines administrative responsibilities with client payment obligations. Some fundamental responsibilities of the position include:

• Guaranteeing that a patient’s medical information is both correct and up to date during each visit

• Preparing and collecting the amount due for any medical services, such as tests, procedures, and surgeries

• Billing medical claims and data to insurance companies to make sure coverage is accounted for

Medical Office Manager

A more administrative leadership role in the healthcare sector, the position of an office manager includes completing various tasks behind the scenes to ensure that doctors, nurses, and the rest of a facility’s medical staff can concentrate on premium patient care. Duties can include interviewing, hiring, training, and supervising nonclinical office staff, overseeing daily operations and customer service initiatives, and spearheading new or updated policies and procedures in the workplace.

Alongside these key, everyday responsibilities, the medical office manager is also in charge of making sure that OSHA and HIPAA regulations are being closely monitored and followed, which are essential factors when guaranteeing the health and safety of each patient.

Health Unit Coordinator

The obligations of a health unit coordinator include working with the medical facility’s clinical team to coordinate each step of a patient’s admission, discharge, and ongoing care throughout their visit. Strong customer service skills as a health unit coordinator are essential since the role involves maintaining effective communication between patients, families, and the entirety of the healthcare team.

Other duties of the health unit coordinator include:

• Prioritizing the day-to-day responsibilities that come with a fast-paced healthcare environment

• Managing incoming phone calls and pages to the clinical staff

• Overseeing patient medical records and release information for the continuation of care

Sterile Processing Technician

To promote the cleanliness and productivity of a hospital or medical office, a sterile processing technician works diligently to arrange or install the healthcare and laboratory equipment necessary for an upcoming surgery. Throughout the setup procedure, the processing technician will also sterilize each surgical item to make sure it is properly disinfected and sanitized for the next patient.

Though the setup is essential for a successful surgery, general upkeep after the procedure is also an element of this role. This can include removing accumulated waste or contaminated supplies, as well as keeping a record of ongoing sterilization examinations and procedures.

FAQs: What to Know About Working as a Medical Assistant and More

Since a career as a medical assistant is known to involve a multitude of obligations, our team wants to do our part in providing answers to some of the most frequently asked questions for your review.

Are medical assistants known to specialize in particular areas?

Though it isn’t required, many medical assistants will choose to focus their attention on one key specialization, with some of the most common ones including the following:

Are there advancement opportunities for those who pursue a career as a medical assistant?

Absolutely! As you gain more experience in the healthcare sector, the knowledge you possess can help you to advise newer medical assistants who are just entering the field, giving you opportunities for supervisory roles.

Beyond that, other prospects can include becoming a medical assistant instructor for a certification program, such as the American Association of Medical Assistants, teaching a college course, or pursuing a leadership role in your current medical facility.

What core personality traits should a medical assistant possess?

To ensure the most successful patient care possible, and to fulfill the role’s duties effectively, it’s important for a medical assistant to showcase the following qualities:

• Strong communication skills
• Thorough attention to detail
• Compassion and empathy for patients
• Problem-solving abilities
• Moral and ethical integrity

How can P.I.T.’s medical assistant program prepare me for a job in the field?

When choosing the Pennsylvania Institute of Technology’s clinical medical assistant associate degree, know that there are numerous benefits to doing so, such as being a part of a program that’s consistently dedicated to student success. Our efforts include supplying each student with the tools that they need to excel in any medical assistant position once obtaining their medical assistant degree.

Additionally, other benefits of selecting our accredited college include:

• A 15-1 student-to-faculty ratio, allowing students to build rapport with both their peers and their professors in a classroom setting

• Various support services, such as job placement, transfer assistance, and tutoring accommodations, depending on your needs

• Numerous opportunities for students to apply for grants, financial aid, and scholarships

Jumpstart Your Career as a Medical Assistant by Applying to P.I.T.’s Program

If you’re looking to take on one of the many roles in the administrative healthcare sector, start your journey by applying to P.I.T.’s comprehensive medical assistant program. And if you have any questions about the program and its objectives, please contact our team today, as we look forward to discussing your future with us.