Medical administrative assistants are becoming more on-demand nowadays, especially because of the growing populations and the ongoing global pandemic. These professionals are vital for a hospital or clinic to run as smoothly as possible. They’re essential parts of the clinical setting, and their duties are challenging yet rewarding.
Although the job of a medical administrative assistant does not entail taking care of patients and administering medical procedures, they still require a fine balance of administrative abilities and interpersonal skills. They’re in charge of many different tasks, and they face a unique set of challenges.
If you’re planning to enter a career as a medical administrative assistant, you’ll need to prepare for the difficulties that come with the job. You’ll need the right mindset to overcome them and continue to provide patients with the healthcare they deserve. With this, here are some of the problems you may face along the way to help you get ready for your chosen track:
1 – Challenging Workloads
Whether you’re working for a hospital or a smaller healthcare facility, the amount of paperwork you have to deal with can be overwhelming. As a medical administrative assistant, you are in charge of most of the clerical tasks and are responsible for ensuring that the establishments run smoothly.
You’ll be a primary problem-solver and will have to do a lot of jobs to ensure that all records are organized and no patients are left behind. You’ll have to process many documents, talk to patients, transfer results, answer phone calls, and do many other duties every day. If you’re the type of person who enjoys a good variety and can take on this challenge, this career may be right for you.
2 – A Lack of Physical Activities
Because medical administrative assistants have to deal mostly with clerical work, they get little physical activity in their jobs. Being desk-bound for most of the day will not be ideal for a person’s health, so you’ll have to catch up with exercise before or after your shift to remain fit. If you can manage this, then you can thrive in this career.
3 – A High Demand for Communication Skills
Communication skills are vital for a medical administrative assistant because the job entails speaking to people of all walks of life—from patients to other staff and medical professionals. It’s essential to get your messages across as clearly as possible to provide patients with the best, most accurate levels of care they need. You do not have to be a gifted communicator right from the start; you can learn through practice and experience.
4 – People Who Will Test Your Patience
Perhaps one of the most challenging problems that medical administrative assistants face is the presence of people who are difficult to work with. Many patients and the people who accompany them are hurt, confused, worried, or angry, so they may not be the most enjoyable individuals to deal with every day. If you can keep your calm and maintain professionalism despite highly emotional encounters, then you’re all set for this career.
The Takeaway
Being a medical administrative assistant is a challenging job that comes with unique challenges. Preparing for these problems in advance will help you thrive in this path and advance your career in healthcare. However, if it doesn’t work out, there are always adjacent roles to explore, such as being a medical assistant or phlebotomist.
If you’re looking for medical assistant classes near Schaumburg, IL, Northwest Suburban College is the place for you. We’ll provide you with the quality education and training you need to thrive in your career in healthcare. Call us today to learn more!
