Health Careers
Medical Assistant
Professional Activities
Medical assistants are multi-skilled allied health professionals who work primarily in ambulatory settings such as medical offices and clinics. The responsibilities of medical assistants vary, depending on whether they work in a clinic, hospital, large group practice, or small private office.
Medical assistants work under the supervision of physicians in their offices or other medical settings. Medical assistants perform administrative and clinical duties to help the health care delivery setting run smoothly. They answer telephones, greet patients, fill out insurance forms, schedule appointments, prepare and maintain medical records, and manage practice finances. The clinical duties of a medical assistant may include taking patient histories and vital signs, preparing patients for procedures, collecting and processing specimens, and preparing and administering medications as directed by the physician.
More medical assistants are employed by practicing physicians than any other type of allied health personnel. In rural Alaska, medical assistants are often employed by regional health corporations, state and federal agencies, or community-based health care programs.
Educational Requirements
Certifications:
CMA (Certified Medical Assistant) credential is awarded to qualified individuals who have passed the American Association of Medical Assistants CMA Exam. Only graduates of CAAHEP-accredited programs are eligible to sit for the CMA (AAMA) Exam.
RMA (Registered Medical Assistant) credential is awarded to qualified individuals who have passed the American Medical Technologists RMA exam.
NCMA (National Certified Medical Assistant) credential is awarded to qualified individuals who have passed the National Center for Competency Testing exam.
Academic Programs
CAAHEP- Accredited Schools in Alaska:
University of Alaska Anchorage
Allied Health Programs
Medical Assisting Department
3211 Providence Drive - AHS 166
Anchorage, AK 99508
Contact: Robin Wahto
Phone: (907) 786-6932
Email:
Web site: http://www.uaa.alaska.edu/ctc/programs/alliedhealth/ma/
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Tanana Valley Campus
604 Barnette Street
Fairbanks, Alaska 99701
Contact: Christa Bartlett, Instructor
Phone: (907) 455-2887
Email:
Web site: http://www.tvc.uaf.edu/programs/health/#medassist
Other programs in Alaska
Career Academy
1415 E. Tudor Road
Anchorage, AK 99507-1033
Contact: Admissions
Phone: 907-563-7575 or 800-770-7575
Fax: 907-563-8330
Email:
Web site: http://www.careeracademy.edu/
Charter College
2221 East Northern Lights Boulevard, Suite 120
Anchorage, Alaska 99508
Phone: 907-277-1000
Toll-Free: 888-463-7001
Fax: 907-274-3342
Email:
Web site: http://www.chartercollege.edu/
Contacts
Inquiries Regarding Careers and Certification
American Association of Medical Assistants
20 N. Wacker Drive, #1575
Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (312) 899-1500
Fax: (312) 899-1259
Web site: http://www.aama-ntl.org/
American Medical Technologists
10700 West Higgins Road, Suite 150
Rosemont, Illinois 60018
Phone: (847) 823-5169
Toll free: (800) 275-1268
Fax: (847) 823-0458
Web site: http://www.amt1.com
National Center for Competency Testing
7007 College Blvd. Suite 705
Overland Park, KS 66211
Toll free: (800) 875-4404
Fax: (913) 498-1243
Web site: http://www.ncctinc.com
This page was last updated by Janice Troyer on July 01, 2008
