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Celebrating National Medical Assistants Day!

Today, October 18th, 2023, is National Medical Assistants Day, and UCI Online is here to show our appreciation to medical assistants. We will explain what a medical assistant does and why they are vital healthcare team members! Keep reading to learn more about these healthcare heroes!

What Are Medical Assistants?

Medical Assistants work alongside physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, and other healthcare team members in medical facilities such as outpatient care facilities, medical offices, clinics, and more. Medical Assisting is a rapidly growing profession, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. The growth can possibly be attributed to the aging baby boomer generation requiring increased medical treatment and the current workforce retiring, resulting in new position openings. As a result, more patients will need to go to outpatient offices and clinics, and facilities need increased staffing.

When you look at a medical assistant’s duties and responsibilities, they can be broken down into two categories. Although the exact tasks assigned will vary depending on where an individual works, this general overview can help give you an idea of what a future career may look like.

National Medical Assistants Day

Clinical Tasks

  • Performing basic lab tests
  • Recording medical histories
  • Assisting physicians in procedures
  • Preparing the patient for examinations
  • Explaining treatment procedures to patients
  • Preparing and administering medications, and more!

Administrative Tasks

  • Updating medical records
  • Answering telephone calls
  • Managing patient check-in
  • Scheduling future appointments
  • Coordinating hospital admission
  • Arranging lab services and more!

What Is National Medical Assistants Day?

National Medical Assistants Day is dedicated to recognizing all the medical assistants who make it possible for you to receive medical care. National Medical Assistants Day is part of the larger Medical Assistants Week. Medical Assistants Week aims to help the public understand what happens in Medical Assisting programs.

You can celebrate it by thanking any medical assistant you may come across. A simple “thank you” can go a long way in showing appreciation. You can also spread the word by using hashtags or sharing posts on social media. Widespread attention can help make the job of a medical assistant more appreciated. You can let the doctor know if you had a particularly exceptional experience with a medical assistant. The doctor may write a letter of recognition for their service or provide them with other rewards.

How To Become A Medical Assistant

If you are interested in becoming a medical assistant, the first step you will take is to research to find the right program for you. This includes where you want to go to school, planning the financial investment, and determining what type of program you want to do.

UCI Online offers two program types: diploma/certificate and associate degree programs. Diploma/certificate programs typically take 9 to 12 months to complete, focusing solely on teaching essential medical assisting skills. Meanwhile, associate degree programs take up to two years to complete; however, they provide a more generalized education. This means you will take general education courses in addition to your medical assisting courses to earn your degree.

While attending UCI Online’s Clinical Medical Assistant program, you will also gain hands-on experience through an externship at a local healthcare facility in addition to your education. You will also be prepared to take several National Healthcareer Association (NHA) certification* exams to strengthen your qualifications.

Start Your Journey To Becoming A Medical Assistant At UCI Online Today!

Are you interested in becoming a Clinical Medical Assistant or a Medical Assistant? If you answer yes, UCI Online could be a great fit for you. Request Information or call 724-515-2440 to speak with one of our admissions team members to start the process today!

*Certification is contingent upon passing the corresponding industry certification exam.