Medical Assistant Jobs
Medical assistant jobs are estimated to be one of the fastest growing labor categories during the period 2008 – 2018, according to the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Although many receive on the job training, it is common for a medical assistant to complete a one or two year program of higher education. In May of 2008, the top salary for employees in this position was $33,050, with over 50% of people holding a medical assistant job earning over $23,700.
Medical assistant jobs are not the same as physician assistant jobs. Medical assistants perform a combination of administrative and clinical tasks, depending upon their employer. The clinical tasks include taking medical histories and recording patient vital signs. In some states, testing or special courses are available to qualify a medical assistant to take x-rays and give injections. Approximately 62% of medical assistant jobs are in physician offices, with the remainder employed by surgical and medical hospitals, colleges, professional schools, and universities, outpatient clinics, and other health care professionals.
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