Medical Assistant
Nature of the job: Medical assistants perform administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians and other health practitioners running smoothly. The duties of medical assistants vary from office to office, depending on the location and size of the practice and the practitioner s specialty. In small practices, medical assistants usually do many different kinds of tasks, handling both administrative and clinical duties and reporting directly to a manager, physician, or other health practitioner. Those in large practices tend to specialize in a particular area, under the supervision of department administrators. Medical assistants should not be confused with physician assistants, who examine, diagnose, and treat patients under the direct supervision of a physician.
Work environment: Medical assistants work in well-lighted, clean environments. They constantly interact with other people and may have to handle several responsibilities at once. Most full-time medical assistants work a regular 45-hour week. However, medical assistants may work part time, evenings, or weekends.
Education and training: Students learn laboratory techniques, clinical and diagnostic procedures, pharmaceutical principles, the administration of medications, and first aid. They study office practices, patient relations, medical law, and ethics. Formal training in medical assisting, while generally preferred, is not required.
Job prospects: Jobseekers who want to work as a medical assistant should find excellent job prospects. Many medical assistants opportunities will come from the need to replace workers leaving the occupation. Medical assistants with formal training or experience particularly those with certification should have the best job opportunities, since employers generally prefer to hire these workers.
Earnings: The remuneration rate attached ranges from P39 276-P47 112 per annum (B2 Scale) at entry level.