What is a Medical Assistant?
A medical assistant works in a physician's or other health practitioner's office and is considered an indispensable force. A medical assistant performs a variety of administrative and clinical tasks, ranging from administrative duties such as answering phones, greeting patients, and filling out forms and filing, to practitioner support such as preparing patients and rooms for exams, sterilizing medical instruments, recording vital signs, collecting and preparing lab specimens, and disposing of contaminated supplies.

Strong people and organizational skills are essential for someone interested in a medical assistant job, since medical assistants must often work in a customer service capacity. Medical assistants often serve as a link between patients and medical practitioners, handling correspondence and scheduling appointments.

What are the working conditions for a Medical Assistant?
A medical assistant works in a clean, well-lighted environment and continually interacts with other people. A medical assistant may decide to stick to general practice in general medical and surgical hospitals or specialize in podiatric, optometric, or ophthalmic capabilities, to name a few. Depending on the health practitioner's office hours and clinical scope, a medical assistant may work full-time, part-time, evenings, or weekends, but most work 40 hours a week.

Is Medical Assistant a growing career?
According to the California Employment Development Department, medical assistant employment is projected to grow 39.1% in Orange County from 2006-2016. Medical assistants will continue to be in high demand, particularly for those with formal medical assistant training and certification.

Demand for medical assistants continues to grow, especially in the United States where many doctor's offices are relying more heavily on medical assistants to perform basic tasks, due to the nursing shortage.

Do Medical Assistants need to be licensed or certified?
In the state of California, medical assistants are not required to be licensed or certified, however, having a certification that is recognized by the Medical Board of California is looked favorably upon by potential employers. The Medical Board of California recognizes California Certified Medical Assistant (CCMA), Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), and Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) certifications. In 10 months, CNI Medical Assistant College courses prepare students - with extensive medical assisting course training in clinical procedures, medical office procedures, lab techniques, medical terminology and a clinical externship - to gain the knowledge to take these certification exams.