OBGYN Medical Assistant: Duties, Salary and Requirements
Obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN) medical assistants are specialized clinical and administrative technicians that assist and work under the direction of a gynecologist. Education requirements and earnings are similar to those of general medical assistants.
OBGYN Medical Assistant Duties
OBGYN medical assistants help gynecologists with clinical and clerical tasks such as patient education, examination preparation, taking vital numbers, recording patient medical histories, performing electrocardiograms (EKGs), drawing blood, patient intake and minor surgery. They are not to be confused with physician's assistants; medical assistants do not perform diagnoses, treat patients or write prescriptions.
OBGYN Medical Assistant Salary
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary for general medical assistants in 2008 was $28,300 (www.bls.gov). The BLS also reported that the top ten percent of medical assistants earned in excess of $39,570.
OBGYN Medical Assistant Requirements
Education Requirements
A high school diploma is the base education requirement to become a medical assistant. Those seeking employment in this field should have a strong foundation in mathematics and science courses such as biology and chemistry. No formal medical assistant training is required, but the BLS advised that those candidates with a combination of training, experience and certification may have the best job prospects.
Students seeking to become OBGYN medical assistants may enroll in formal medical assistant training programs. Coursework for these programs is divided into administrative, clinical procedures and laboratory procedures. Students can also take human anatomy and physiology with medical terminology. Some programs allow the student to earn a certificate. There are also 2-year programs that offer an Associate of Applied Science Medical Assistant.
Certification Requirements
Currently, certification is not required for general or OBGYN medical assistants; however, certification shows potential employers that a certain skill level has been achieved, and these credentials can be used in salary negotiations.
The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) awards the Certified Medical Assistant to individuals who complete an accredited medical assisting program and pass an exam. Certification through American Medical Technologists is available for candidates who have completed an accredited medical assisting program and have a minimum of five years of work experience.
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