State of Texas Requirements to Become a Medical Assistant

Although the state of Texas has no licensing or certification requirements to become a medical assistant, employers often prefer a job candidate with medical assistant training through a vocational-technical program. Get a job as a medical assistant in Texas by learning the billing procedures, software, medical terminology and patient customer service skills necessary to work at the front desk in a physician's practice or hospital setting.

Function

A medical assistant is support staff for the doctors, physician assistants and nurses involved with direct patient care in a medical practice. A medical assistant usually works at the front desk of a physician practice or at a kiosk station in a hospital setting. Medical assistants help with record-keeping, insurance coding, billing, appointments, stocking supplies, cleaning exam rooms, clinical sample management and patient customer service.

Considerations

Medical assistant candidates must have strong organization, communication, writing, listening and service skills. Because medical assistants interact with patients, they must maintain a professional appearance and courteous manner. A successful career as a medical assistant in Texas requires the ability to carefully follow instructions from physicians, nurses and other supervising staff.
A medical assistant works in a clean, well-lit setting with a mix of desk work and light physical tasks. More than half of all medical assitants work in physician practices. Others perform their duties in hospital or outpatient clinic settings. Depending on the size of the practice, a medical assistant may perform a variety of administrative and clinical tasks or focus on just one area. Medical assistants may specialize in areas such as podiatry or opthamology. These specialists perform additional tasks such as taking casts of feet or teaching patients about contact lens use, cleaning and care.
While some states require specific certifications for medical assistants performing clinical tasks like obtaining patient histories, in Texas medical assistants need many of the same skills required of any talented office support staff member. Work in a clinical setting requires additional familiarily with medical terminology, clinical procedures and insurance billing requirements.

Time Frame

Some doctor's offices will train a medical assistant on the job, but most prefer hiring a candidate with certification. Medical assistant training programs in Texas generally take between 10 and 14 months to complete. Graduates receive certification as a medical assistant, attesting to competence in the basic skills required to become a medical assistant in Texas. You can complete medical assistant training through programs provided at community colleges, vocational schools and online distance learning centers.

Benefits

Medical assistant jobs generally don't pay very well. Hospitals tend to pay more, while those working in chiropractor or optometry practices often make less.
Health care workers often receive excellent benefit packages including medical insurance, retirement plans and bonuses. These perks depend on length of service and individual employer benefits.

Potential

The U.S. Department of Labor projects steady growth in the medical assistant profession, making this field an area with exceptional job prospects. Employment as a medical assistant often serves as a steppingstone to more lucrative health care careers. Many medical assistants return to school for further training as physician assistants or licensed nurses.

Resources

• U.S. Depart of Labor Occupation Outlook- Medical Assistants
• Medical Assistant Training Program in Texas