Medical Assistant?

[Miss Kelly]

Is anyone a Medical Assistant?

Can you tell me what a typical day is like for you? Average Pay? Anything else you can think of to add....?

Thanks!!

 

[AuntieM03]

What type of medical assistant? There are front office and back office. I used to be a back office medical assistant, but now I am in the billing department. Your duties can really vary depending upon your specialty.

I make alot more money in the billing office than I did as a back office medical assistant.

 

[wdwmom2]

That would be me !!!!!! I am a certified medical assistant for a pediatric practice. I my job. The doc I assist treats me like gold, and for that I am truly grateful. I do everything except the actual exam. Weigh, measure, BP, pulse, temp, immunizations (lots of them), PKU's, suture removal, throat cultures, nebulizer treatments, urine (UA, dips, cultures), ceremun removal (flushing ears), helping with procedures such as sutures, lumbar punctures, urine catherization. Of course there is the endless stream of paperwork (referrals, writing lab work, x-rays, consults,etc. in the chart). I make lots of specialists appointments. Oh, I don't want to forget, I am the one in the office with the strong stomach, so I get to clean up the vomit when someones child gets sick . I stock my own rooms every morning and shut them down at the end of the day. As far as pay goes, RN's probably make close to double what an assistant does. I know that I am probably forgetting alot, so if you have any other questions, just ask.

 

[olena]

My sister is a CMA and has had different experiences with the many offices she's worked in. She loves working with patients, so back office is her thing. She's worked in a few GPs and is now at an OB/GYN.

Pay can vary a lot by region or town. There's also a lot of turnover in offices. My sister's been content in some offices and miserable in others. Sometimes the rivalry between the MAs and CMAs can get bad. Also, she works hard and is highly praised by her doctors and this has caused jealous tension with other staffers. In one case, she was ganged up on by the others because of her race. It boggles my mind that catty or racist environments aren't corrected by the doctors. Complaining got her nowhere, so she goes and finds a new job. Each office culture is different, since she has worked at other offices where it felt like 'family'.

The demand is high, because every time she went looking for a new job, she'd get a bunch of interviews and multiple offers to choose from. I don't think the pay reflects the demand though.

 

[4greatboys]

I used to be a medical assistant for a cardiology practice. I did all back office duties, including giving Stress tests, taking blood, running EKG's, refilling meds....etc. I havent done that since the early '90's so pay would really be irrelevent.
Some also do front office work like ans phones, sch tests, file ins. After I left the cardiologist office I did go to work at an imaging facility where I just dealt with insurance all day.

 

[Miss Kelly]

I'm so sorry. I posted this question before I remembered that I had to go see my neice's program at school. Anyway, I'm back online now.

The reason I ask this question is because I have an interview for a medical assistant position tomorrow. A friend recommended that I put my application in and I did Friday. Lo and behold, they called me today to set up an interview. I didn't expect this at all. I would like it though because I really need a job!!

At any rate, the position is in an Orthopedic office. I am not certified by an means, but I do have a Bachelors Degree in Management and Health Systems Administration. Oh, and they said they would train me.

Anyone have a clue what I would be doing in an Orthopedic Office?

What should I say when they ask how much pay I'm wanting? I'm thinking $10 an hour. Is this too much?

Thanks again! I really appreciate the help.

Kelly

 

[Miss Kelly]

One last question I forgot to ask -

What is the typical attire for a Medical Assistant? Scrubs or Dressy Clothing?

 

[wdwmom2]

What should I say when they ask how much pay I'm wanting? I'm thinking $10 an hour. Is this too much?


Kelly

Nope, not asking too much. I think that your starting pay should be alittle more than that. But that's just my thoughts. Especially if you are near a bigger city. You tend to make more per hour in the city than in a small town.

 

[Microcell]

I make more than ten an hour just being a jack of all trades- I can do chart prep, billing, check in, testing (just basic Optical stuff), Accounts receivable. I also live in Kansas City, which has a low unemployment rate, so not much competition for my job. I think I could get paid between 13-15 an hour if I was more flexible. They let me work whenever I can, so I stick with what I think is lower pay to get the hours I want.

I hope that helps.

ETA We just wear lab coats and business casual clothing. No scrubs, but that is determined by the practice. Ask what the dress code is when you are hired or before if you like.

 

[wdwmom2]

One last question I forgot to ask -

What is the typical attire for a Medical Assistant? Scrubs or Dressy Clothing?

I wear uniform pants and a top to match. I don't do uniform tops. But most of my co-workers do. You will have to see what the dress code is for the office you will work in.

 

[Miss Kelly]

Nope, not asking too much. I think that your starting pay should be alittle more than that. But that's just my thoughts. Especially if you are near a bigger city. You tend to make more per hour in the city than in a small town.

I live in a very small city actually. The major industries around here are textile and furniture factories. Our city has seen 800 jobs lost this year alone due to outsourcing. While I don't want to ask for less than I'm worth, I also don't want to price myself out of this job. KWIM? There are about 800 people who would also like this job.

Maybe I should say $10-12 an hour just to be safe?

 

[Miss Kelly]

I make more than ten an hour just being a jack of all trades- I can do chart prep, billing, check in, testing (just basic Optical stuff), Accounts receivable. I also live in Kansas City, which has a low unemployment rate, so not much competition for my job. I think I could get paid between 13-15 an hour if I was more flexible. They let me work whenever I can, so I stick with what I think is lower pay to get the hours I want.

I hope that helps.

ETA We just wear lab coats and business casual clothing. No scrubs, but that is determined by the practice. Ask what the dress code is when you are hired or before if you like.

Thanks for the advice. I will do that.

 

[Shugardrawers]

I've found in these situations it works best to admit you have no idea what kind of salary to ask for and find out what they think an acceptable range is, then negotiate from there. If they are aware you don't actually have any experience as an MA this shouldn't suprise them in the least.

Just curious, why are you looking at MA jobs when you have a bachelors degree? Is the job market in your area that bad??

 

[Dan Murphy]

Good wishes, Kelly.

 

[Miss Kelly]

I've found in these situations it works best to admit you have no idea what kind of salary to ask for and find out what they think an acceptable range is, then negotiate from there. If they are aware you don't actually have any experience as an MA this shouldn't suprise them in the least.

Just curious, why are you looking at MA jobs when you have a bachelors degree? Is the job market in your area that bad??

Well I wasn't really looking for MA positions. This one kind of fell in my lap. But to answer your last question, Yes. The job market in this area is awful. I have been looking for a job since December. In that time period, over 800 people have been laid off in this area. I can commute or go out of this area to find a job, but at this time I would rather try my luck at finding a job here. My family and everything I've ever known is here.

Thanks for the advice. I really appreciate it.

 

[Miss Kelly]

Good wishes, Kelly.

Thanks Dan!

 

[Miss Kelly]

Anybody out there???

 

[Miss Kelly]

Well I'm back.

The position is in the back office. She indicated that I would be taking stitches out, holding down limbs while they are cast, among other things....

Someone suggested that I ask what the average pay is for an unexperienced medical assistant and I did. Unfortunately, the answer was not what I was hoping. $8 an hour. I tried not to show it but I was surprised.

I should know in a few weeks whether I got the job or not. I'm not sure if I will take it if I do. I'm not sure if I could deal with a screaming child who is hurt or a person who's finger has been cut off. Ugh... I just don't know.

 

[wdwmom2]

$8.00 an hour?!?! That's an insult. Sorry, but I would not be happy.

 

[malibuconlee]

At any rate, the position is in an Orthopedic office. I am not certified by an means, but I do have a Bachelors Degree in Management and Health Systems Administration. Oh, and they said they would train me.

With your degree, I would approach your local hospital and set up a meeting with/get your resume to their HR person to see if they have any opportunities for you. It can't hurt.