Learning Knows No Age

Choose A Medical Assistant Specialty During Training

5 December 2022

Evelyn West

When you attend medical assistant training school, you may decide that you want to focus on a specific specialty. Many students find that specializing in a particular area of medical assisting makes them more marketable and gives them the opportunity to work with patients who have similar conditions or needs.

Are you still undecided about what kind of program you'd like to pursue? These are some common medical assistant specialties.

Emergency Care

Emergency medical assistants are trained to recognize various signs and symptoms of serious medical emergencies and provide appropriate assistance. They can also provide basic medical assistance for non-emergencies and perform routine laboratory tests.

Geriatrics

Geriatric medical assistants specialize in providing care to elderly patients. They are typically trained in recognizing signs of confusion, dehydration, and falls, as well as handling basic wound care. Other duties can include helping with paperwork related to retirement homes and long-term care facilities, offering emotional support to patients, and providing input in doctor-patient care plans.

Pediatrics

Pediatric medical assistants specialize in the care of younger patients who require special attention and guidance. This can include helping with developmental assessments, administering vaccines and medications, providing guidance on nutrition and exercise, comforting children during appointments, preparing medical equipment for certain procedures, and helping with paperwork.

Obstetrics and Gynecology

OBGYN medical assistants specialize in providing care for female patients. This can include educating women about reproductive health issues (such as contraception or sexually-transmitted diseases), assisting with yearly exams and screenings, performing basic laboratory tests, and helping with paperwork.

Phlebotomy

Phlebotomy medical assistants specialize in drawing and collecting blood samples for testing. They are also trained to prepare the specimen for transport, label it correctly, and document the results. Additionally, they may be required to provide guidance or counseling on donating blood and other related topics.

Cardiology

Cardiology medical assistants specialize in providing care to patients with cardiovascular issues. This can include performing basic tests such as taking blood pressure or pulse measurements, monitoring patient vitals, helping with paperwork related to insurance coverage or medications, and providing support to patients dealing with cardiac issues.

Choose the Right Specialty for Your Interests and Career Goals

No matter which medical assistant specialty you choose, it's important to make sure that you are properly trained in the area so that you can provide quality care and support for your patients. With proper training and experience, you can become an invaluable asset to any health care team.

Contact a local medical assistant training service, such as the Medical Assistant Academy, to learn more.

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About Me

As an adult, learning can come with new struggles you did not know existed when you were young. You need to fit courses into a busy schedule that already includes work and family obligations. You have to work with new technology that has transformed the classroom setting. Yet, in spite of these challenges, pursing adult education classes is something you will never regret. Learning is so rewarding, socially and in a career setting. On this website, you will find articles focused on helping adults succeed in and out of the classroom. Whether you're taking continued education courses for your job or a crafting class for fun, you'll benefit from the advice offered here.