So you’ve decided that you’d like to enter the healthcare industry as a Clinical Medical Assistant. Except you wonder whether you’re truly equipped with the necessary skills to succeed. Before you make any concrete decisions, let’s understand what skills are required. We’re talking about the skills without which one couldn’t possibly think of conquering a profession as a Clinical Medical Assistant.
Take the first step in your career journey today!
Communication & Patient Care
As a Clinical Medical Assistant, you’ll be the point of contact for many individuals in healthcare facilities. The entire healthcare team will be reaching out to you exchanging important bits of information throughout the day. With many important tasks to do, it might become difficult to transmit information that is clear and free of errors. But the healthcare industry is exactly the place where missing out on significant patient details could prove to be life-threatening.
In such a case, a Clinical Medical Assistant’s ability to collect, analyze, and order details in terms of urgency becomes crucial. Also, a Clinical Medical Assistant’s words should always offer a sense of calm and ease to the patient. A medical assistant has one end goal in mind; the patient’s health. The patient’s optimum care is a reason enough for all points of contact to become much easier to handle.
Clinical Expertise
Successful Clinical Medical Assistants understand the importance of paying attention to detail and obtaining accurate clinical results. Below are some of the skills that are essential to the career of a Clinical Medical Assistant:
- Observing and collecting vital signs of the patient
- Giving patients medicine and injecting them according to the doctor’s prescription
- Operating the Electrocardiogram (ECG) machine and understanding its results
- Performing emergency procedures such as Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
- Drawing blood (Phlebotomy)
- Operation of the life support machine
- Thorough understanding of medical terminologies
- Knowledge of all First-Aid procedures such as wound dressing
Medical Technology/Computer Skills
A Clinical Medical Assistant can’t possibly ace the work encountered on the job, without a basic level of technical expertise. Here is what a Medical Assistant may be expected to do on the job:
- Use the hospital/healthcare facility’s software to schedule consultations, surgeries, etc.
- Feed and maintain patient records by utilizing spreadsheets
- Understanding the medical coding and billing software to submit an insurance claim
Administration Expertise
As already bought to attention, the role of a Clinical Medical Assistant involves being a point of contact between several individuals. Individuals from doctors, and nurses, to lab assistants, caretakers, and patients require cooperation from the Clinical Medical Assistant. Being able to perform the following managerial skills with ease could give you a jumpstart in your career:
- Scheduling Appointments
- Making important phone calls
- Administrating all necessary care for optimum patient well being
- Being able to quickly switch from desk to clinical duties
Organizational Skills
Organization is a skill that will make you successful as a Clinical Medical Assistant. The ability to organize all tasks given at work effectively will be pivotal in responsibly managing all patients’ health. This may entail:
- Ensuring all patients are briefed before their medical procedures
- Being able to structure the day to effectively organize clinical and administrative duties
- Efficient note-taking to never miss a single important patient detail
Kick-Start Your Medical Career Today
Now you’re aware of all the primary skills required to efficiently manage the responsibility of a Clinical Medical Assistant. It is now up to you to decide whether you’re up to bringing them to the table. Or learn them, so that you can! Speaking of learning, are you looking for medical assistant programs in Louisiana? Then, Blue Cliff College’s Clinical Medical Assistant course would be an excellent place to start.
The clinical medical assistant classes would be 9 months long if you opt for the day course. And flexible enough to fit into your current schedule with their 15 months long night time classes. Blue Cliff College will equip you with the necessary skills to land you an entry-level job in the healthcare setting of your dreams!
What are you waiting for? Blue Cliff College has got the classes, all that is required is you.
Learn more about the Clinical Medical Assistant program at Blue Cliff College
Brian Maggio is the Vice President of Admissions and Marketing at Blue Cliff College, a leading provider of career training programs in the healthcare and beauty industries. With years of experience in the education and training industry, Brian has trained individuals nationwide in soft skills, sales, leadership, and training.
