Are you interested in becoming a healthcare professional in Killeen? Let CyberTex prepare you for a lifelong career as a medical assistant with our 45-week-long diploma program. You will learn about the clinical and clerical skills needed to succeed working in a physician’s office, hospital, or other medical facility. From taking vitals to phlebotomy and more, you get a complete curriculum to prepare for an entry-level position as a medical assistant or one of the alternative jobs available to certified medical assistants.
Are Healthcare Professionals in Killeen in Demand?
Killeen is currently growing at a rate of 1.37% annually. The most common employment sector for those living in Killeen is Health Care & Social Assistance. Plus, the unemployment rate in Killeen for Dec 2023 was 3.8 percent, almost as low as the national unemployment rate of 3.7 percent. Other factors contribute to the demand for healthcare professionals in Killeen. They include:
Population Growth
One of the critical reasons for the demand for healthcare professionals in Killeen is the increase in the city’s population. More residents are moving to Killeen because of fair home prices and opportunities to work in the healthcare field. With an increased population comes an increase in the need for medical services.
Baby Boomers Retiring
Medical assistants are retiring at a rate quicker than the workforce is being replenished. That means there is a demand for entry-level medical assistants to support physicians and nurses. Now is the time to become a medical assistant and join the frontlines of healthcare.
What Does a Medical Assistant in Killeen Do?
Medical assistants are responsible for patient care and supporting doctors and nurses, so patients have good health outcomes. They are responsible for both clinical and clerical duties. Employers in Killeen look for highly qualified medical assistants ready to start working on day one of their employment.
Clinical Tasks
The medical assistant is responsible for clinical tasks. These tasks include:
Greeting and Rooming Patients
The medical assistant is usually the first to greet the patient at a physician’s office. Therefore, an excellent first impression can be vital. The medical assistant will also walk the patient to the exam room and monitor them along the way, making note of any abnormalities or symptoms.
Taking Patient Vital Signs
The medical assistant will take vital signs at every visit to help the physician notice trends that may require additional investigation. The medical assistant will take the patient’s blood pressure, temperature, heart rate, respiration rate, oxygen saturation, and weight. These also help the physician make better diagnoses and treatment decisions.
Recording Patient Health History
Keeping track of any health issues the patient has encountered is essential. Did they get all their vaccines, are they suffering from any symptoms, and have they changed their medications? The medical assistant will note the patient’s health history for the physician to review during the exam.
Sterilizing Medical Instruments
Medical facilities can harbor viruses and germs. To keep all patients and medical professionals safe, the medical assistant will sterilize medical instruments, sanitize surfaces, and disinfect seating areas. Safety is the number one priority.
Performing Phlebotomy
A medical assistant learns phlebotomy in a Medical Assistant program. They learn how to insert a needle in the vein, what the different colors mean on sample tubes, and how to keep the patient calm during the procedure. Some medical assistants will review samples in the lab, while others will prepare the samples for transport to an off-site laboratory.
Helping Physicians with Patient Exams
Many medical assistants are the eyes and ears of the physicians during the patient’s exam. They may take notes and track vital signs while the physician examines the patient. Medical assistants may perform minor procedures like earwax irrigation or vaccine administration at the physician’s request.
Clerical Tasks
The medical assistant will be responsible for some clerical tasks as well. These tasks include:
Scheduling Appointments
When the medical assistant is not with patients, they will support the medical staff by scheduling appointments. They help support the physicians and nurses so they can spend more time with patients.
Answering Phones
The medical assistant may support the medical staff by answering the phone. Patients, vendors, and other doctors may call with a request, and the medical assistant is ready to answer the phone when needed.
Supporting Medical Staff with Billing and Coding
Medical assistants may support billing and coding specialists with billing and insurance claims. They will be responsible for recording the proper Medicare and private insurance codes so that the medical billing and coding specialist recoups service charges to keep the medical facility running smoothly.
Entering Patient Information into Electronic Health Records
Part of the job of a medical assistant is to enter patient information into electronic health records. These records keep track of treatments, lab testing, and other important medical information to offer patients better health outcomes—no need for a duplicate test or contraindication with a new medicine. Keeping the electronic health records up-to-date helps reduce medical errors.
Replenishing Inventory of Medical and Office Supplies
The medical assistant is the person who uses most of the medical and office supplies on a day-to-day basis. Who better than the medical assistant to replenish inventory? Running out of a medical supply is not the time to remember to order it.
How Do You Become a Medical Assistant in Killeen?
A great way to become a medical assistant in Killeen is to complete a medical program at CyberTex. Our Killeen campus offers a 45-week program to prepare you for entry-level positions at physician’s offices, hospitals, and other medical facilities in Killeen. This program also prepares you for the National Healthcareer Association certifications in medical assisting, phlebotomy, and EKG administration. In addition to classroom lectures, you get to work with actual patients to build confidence and practice your skills under the strict supervision of your instructor. Let CyberTex help you start a path towards your dream career in less than a year.
Want to Learn More?
Medical Assistant Program
The Medical Assistant Training Program at CyberTex Institute of Technology takes excellent care of you by providing hands-on training, practical experience, and the support it takes to get started in a medical assisting career without spending years in school. You will learn clinical and administrative skills and prepare to work in physician’s offices, hospitals, and other medical facilities.
Contact us today to learn more about our Killeen campus.