The treatment of the flu and the administering of flu shots will keep doctor’s offices and clinics busy over the next several weeks. It will also keep medical assistants busy, many of which administer flu shots and perform vital sign examinations on patients who have flu-like symptoms.
The flu is a common disease, but can still be dangerous and many Americans are urged to get flu shots each year.
“Many more people are expected to die from the flu than Ebola this year,” reported the Enid News. “In fact, the flu is a more common disease that can lead to hospitalization and even death in some cases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention strongly suggest flu vaccination as the best way to prevent this serious disease.”
Flu vaccinations are often administered at minute clinic and other out-patient centers that heavily rely on the work of medical assistants.
“Every year, between 5 and 20 percent of residents in the United States get the flu, according to Forbes magazine,” the Enid News adds. “More than 200,000 will end up hospitalized, with up to 500,000 flu deaths globally. Getting a flu vaccine will reduce an individual’s chances of getting the disease and prevent its spread to other victims.”
Some medical assistants can administer the flu vaccine, and they are also available to answer patient questions. One of the most common questions is will a flu shot cause a person to get the flu.
“Common side effects of the flu shot are soreness and aching at the site of vaccination; these symptoms should last only 1-2 days,” Dr. Catherine Hough-Telford, a fellow in the University of Alabama at Birmingham Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, told AL.com. “According to the CDC, there is an extremely low risk of serious side effects from the flu vaccine; rarely it can cause a life-threatening allergic reaction in individuals with severe allergy to eggs.”
Medical assistants also urge patients to wash hands and avoid sick people. But getting a flu shot is the best way to prevent from getting the flu this season.
Medical assistants perform lots of duties beyond just giving shots. Some of the roles medical assistants perform are administrative. That includes checking patients in at a clinic or doctor’s office and recording their insurance information. Many medical assistants will also receive information from the patient about their visit to the clinic and will instruct them on the process.
There are also clinical duties for a medical assistant to perform. This can include obtaining vitals from a patient and transferring information onto the doctor of physician’s assistant. Medical assistant can also help during an examination by recording more vital signs or performing some tests, like s throat swab.
The medical industry is one of the fastest growing job sectors today and there is a large demand for more healthcare professionals of all types. This includes medical assistants who are in demand by many healthcare employers across the country and in the Los Angeles area. The flu season is an example of the growing demand placed on the medical industry, but that demand is also year-round and labor experts believe the need for more medical assistants will last for many years to come, making this a great career option for a person who wants to work in a stable profession.
One of the best ways to become a medical assistant is by complotting a professional training program like the one at A-Technical College. Students at A-Technical College are learning the skills today’s medical employers are looking for. If you are looking for a new career in a growing industry then becoming a medical assistant might be the right option for you.
Medical assistants are in demand at various types of medical facilities across the country, ranging from doctor’s offices and clinics to hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Many jobseekers are looking to medical industry because there has been such steady job growth in recent years and with training from a school like A-Technical College a person can launch a new long-term career as a professional medical assistant.