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Please CLICK on each title to reveal a new section. There are three sections to every profile; an extensive questionnaire "We asked" , an average day broken down in detail "A Day in the Life Of", and a place where you can ask the profiler a question directly in "Ask me." (You must register to use the "Ask Me" feature)

Certified Medical Assistant Career Profile— Female, age 24 (ID #719)

Check this profile out too: CPA
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1. Employment Profile: What exactly does a Certified Medical Assistant do?

  What field is your job in?

health care

  What is your job title?

Certified Medical Assistant

  Please provide a brief description of the firm or organization that you currently work for
(size and general description of what type of organization it is)

I work for a family physician office. There is about 35-55 people employeed there.

  How long have you been employed in this position?

1 year

  How many hours do you work a week on average?

40

  Please provide a BRIEF description of your duties and responsibilities. (job description)

My duties and responsibilities include taking patients medical histories and recording vital signs, explaining treatment procedures to patients, preparing patients for examination, and assisting the physician during the examination. I also collect and prepare laboratory specimens and perform laboratory tests, prepare and administer medications, authorize drug refills, draw blood, prepare patients for x rays, take electrocardiograms, remove sutures, and change dressings.

  What was your gross income last year? Please include any bonuses or incentives received.

$27,000

  What is your expected gross income for this year? Please include any bonuses or incentives you expect to receive.

30000

  Please list any benefits you have (Please include number of weeks vacation, sick leave and type of health insurance, retirement plan 401k)

Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance; 401k, Flexible Scheduling, Direct Deposit, Vacation

  Do you feel you are under/well/over compensated at your current position?

I feel well compensated at my job.

2. Work environment!

  Does your job entail you working with others on a daily basis? Is this something you like/dislike about your job? Explain

Yes, I have to work with many different people on a daily basis. I really enjoy being able to work with a variety of different people because it makes everyday different.

  Do you work collaboratively with supervisors/managers?

No

  Do you work collaboratively with your co-workers?

No

  Describe your work location (e.g., office, home, theatre, in the field) and what you like/dislike about working in it

  Please rank in order of importance from 1-8 (1- most important 8- least important) Assign each number once.

  • 6 Income
  • 1 Work Environment - co-workers
  • 2 Work Environment - supervisors
  • 4 Benefits
  • 7 Hours
  • 5 Level of responsibility
  • 3 The actual "work" you do at your job
  • 8 Job Title

3. How should someone new to the workforce get a J-O-B like yours?

  If someone wanted to go about getting a job similar to yours, what would you recommend for him or her to do?

I would recommend narrowing down their search first by deciding whether they wanted to work at a hospital or a private practice. I would also recommend searching jobs posted on the internet as well as local newspapers. Talking to friends and family is also a good way to find out about jobs.

  What skills do you think a person should have if they want to pursue a position like yours? Please be specific and explain why (e.g., social skills, organization skills, technical skills)

A person persuing this career should have a number of skills. The most important being excellent social skills, speaking and listening skills, and time management skills. It is so important for a person to have excellent social skills in this line of work because you are dealing with people at all times of the day. Speaking and listening skills are important because you must be able to talk to others in order to convey information effectively and you must listen carefully to what patients are saying in order to understand why they are in the office. Time management skills are important because there are so many different things that have to be completed on a daily basis and without using time management skills duties could get left neglected.

  Do you feel that you need a certain level of education or training to be successful in your job?

Yes, most employers prefer graduates of formal programs in medical assisting.

  What advice would you give to someone who was about to start work in your position/ line of work?

I would just tell them to take it one day at a time.



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