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What do employers look for when hiring for medical assitants?
What do employers desire out of potential employees for medical assistance? What draws you in?
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4 answers
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Bhavna’s Answer
Employers look for candidates who possess strong communication and interpersonal skills, as well as excellent organizational and administrative abilities. They should also demonstrate a basic knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, insurance processes, medical billing and coding, and medical office administration. Having certifications and prior experience as a medical assistant, as well as computer and data entry skills, will be an advantage.
Updated
David’s Answer
What hiring managers first look for in a prospective medical assistant is personality (as in, they would want to know whether the person is 1. a team player, 2. deals well with criticism, 3. prioritizes patient care and can deal with difficult situations). This will usually come up a substantial amount in interviews to determine fit and to see the applicants' interest in the field/motivation.
Hospitals and clinics are very busy places to work, and it is important that medical assistants can keep on track with the schedule and can work precisely and efficiently.
I would say that these are the interpersonal skills that one would need to become an effective medical assistant.
Usually, clinics will offer training to new medical assistants (unless stated in the job description), but having certifications (CPR, EMT, phlebotomy) are always good to have when applying.
Hospitals and clinics are very busy places to work, and it is important that medical assistants can keep on track with the schedule and can work precisely and efficiently.
I would say that these are the interpersonal skills that one would need to become an effective medical assistant.
Usually, clinics will offer training to new medical assistants (unless stated in the job description), but having certifications (CPR, EMT, phlebotomy) are always good to have when applying.
Candice Robinson, BS, NCPT-4
Psych Assistant/Practice Administrator
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Candice’s Answer
I have actually worked in creating assessments for Medical Assistants that are used for candidate recruitment & hiring purposes. They look for skills in the following areas.
Soft Skills
1. Communication
Professional interaction both orally and in writing
Being able to receive feedback
Establishing trust and being honest
2. Empathy
The ability to put yourself in the patient’s shoes without feeling sorry for them
Being able to actively listen and communicate feelings
Promoting positive patient outcomes
3. Teamwork
Being able to effectively work with others
Collaborating to complete shared goals
Being accountable for your responsibilities
Contributing to a collective knowledge base
4. Organization
Maintaining a calendar
Ability to meet deadlines
Effective planning & focus on outcomes
Initiating a change process
5. Problem Solving
Being able to take a realistic view
Coping with changes
Reducing stress
Being able to follow steps in a defined process
6. Positive Attitude
Ability to stay optimistic
Motivating others
Recognizing and appreciating strengths
Looking for chances to learn
Administrative Skills
1. Patient admission and discharge
Creating patient charts
Taking patient information and medical histories
Scheduling appointments
2. Receptionist duties
Greeting callers and handling questions
Computer and office equipment operations
The ability to supervise others
Filing processes
Front office management
3. Electronic Health Records
Documenting medical records
Introductory insurance procedures
Entering chart notes
Clinical Skills
1. Taking patient vital signs
Measuring temperature, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation
Obtaining a pain rating
Taking a patient’s height and weight
2. Assisting providers with exams
Educating patients on physician ordered instructions
Follow up of test results
Distributing informational brochures and teaching aids
Maintaining exam room supplies
3. Administering medications
Knowledge of commonly used medications
Recognizing the side effects of medications
Medication Administration Record documentation
Calculating drug dosages
4. Performing lab procedures
Drawing blood/phlebotomy techniques
Collecting and processing specimens
Sterilizing medical instruments
EKG/electrocardiography
Soft Skills
1. Communication
Professional interaction both orally and in writing
Being able to receive feedback
Establishing trust and being honest
2. Empathy
The ability to put yourself in the patient’s shoes without feeling sorry for them
Being able to actively listen and communicate feelings
Promoting positive patient outcomes
3. Teamwork
Being able to effectively work with others
Collaborating to complete shared goals
Being accountable for your responsibilities
Contributing to a collective knowledge base
4. Organization
Maintaining a calendar
Ability to meet deadlines
Effective planning & focus on outcomes
Initiating a change process
5. Problem Solving
Being able to take a realistic view
Coping with changes
Reducing stress
Being able to follow steps in a defined process
6. Positive Attitude
Ability to stay optimistic
Motivating others
Recognizing and appreciating strengths
Looking for chances to learn
Administrative Skills
1. Patient admission and discharge
Creating patient charts
Taking patient information and medical histories
Scheduling appointments
2. Receptionist duties
Greeting callers and handling questions
Computer and office equipment operations
The ability to supervise others
Filing processes
Front office management
3. Electronic Health Records
Documenting medical records
Introductory insurance procedures
Entering chart notes
Clinical Skills
1. Taking patient vital signs
Measuring temperature, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation
Obtaining a pain rating
Taking a patient’s height and weight
2. Assisting providers with exams
Educating patients on physician ordered instructions
Follow up of test results
Distributing informational brochures and teaching aids
Maintaining exam room supplies
3. Administering medications
Knowledge of commonly used medications
Recognizing the side effects of medications
Medication Administration Record documentation
Calculating drug dosages
4. Performing lab procedures
Drawing blood/phlebotomy techniques
Collecting and processing specimens
Sterilizing medical instruments
EKG/electrocardiography
Updated
Kimberly’s Answer
Generally speaking, you should be a team player and be dependable. As with any other employer regardless of industry, attendance is important. Your ability to manage time effectively and multitasking skills will benefit you, as well as accountability and being proactive as a member of the team. As a medical assistant, you are responsible for a lot of back office tasks (depending on where you work) and patient care as well. From managing the front desk to rooming patients and answering phone calls or processing paperwork, your ability to triage urgent tasks will help you a lot.
For me, I wanted to be in a career where I get to help other people and healthcare is the best industry to be in. It makes me feel valued when providers give me kudos for my efficiency. That is, I make sure that patients are seen on time and that we have all the information we need prior to their visit because this helps the providers immensely. Your goal is to manage the flow of the clinic and make sure everything runs smoothly so the question is, how will you achieve it?
For me, I wanted to be in a career where I get to help other people and healthcare is the best industry to be in. It makes me feel valued when providers give me kudos for my efficiency. That is, I make sure that patients are seen on time and that we have all the information we need prior to their visit because this helps the providers immensely. Your goal is to manage the flow of the clinic and make sure everything runs smoothly so the question is, how will you achieve it?