Healthcare professionals have busy schedules. Juggling patient visits with administrative duties can lead to a poor work-life balance and even burnout.
But how can you reduce your workload? One option is to hire a medical assistant technician. These workers can support you with a range of clerical and clinical tasks.
Of course, finding experienced in-person team members can be a challenge. It also comes with a high price tag. With onboarding, training, and ongoing expenses, you may be wondering if there’s an alternative.
The good news is that Healthcare Virtual Assistants (HVAs) can do many of the same tasks as in-person assistants — but at a fraction of the cost.
In this article, we'll tell you what a medical assistant does and the average salary. Plus, we'll discuss the benefits of HVAs so that you can make the right choice for your circumstances.
What is a medical assistant technician?
Medical assistant technicians are responsible for various administrative tasks and clinical duties. For example, they maintain electronic health records, collect blood samples, and schedule patient appointments.
They work throughout the healthcare industry and can be found in doctor’s offices, hospitals, outpatient clinics, and other medical settings. These workers provide assistance to physicians, nurses, and specialists.
If you need support in your clinic, hiring a medical assistant technician can be beneficial. However, you can get clerical support without investing in a new employee.
Hello Rache has a team of talented Healthcare Virtual Assistants (HVAs) who can alleviate the pressure your medical office experiences. HVAs’ services include answering phones, transcribing documents, updating records, and balancing accounts.
Our services come with a flat rate, and there are no long-term commitments required.
With HVAs’ excellent communication skills and healthcare experience, it makes sense to chat with Hello Rache. Get in touch today to see how we can help you.
What do you need to be a medical assistant technician?
Medical assistant technicians need a high school diploma or equivalent.
The next step to getting a job in this field is to complete an associate degree program. Certification in medical assisting is also recommended for those who want to improve their employment opportunities.
Keep in mind that CPR certification is often required for healthcare jobs.
Before a medical assistant can work unsupervised, they need to gain experience through on-the-job training. Depending on their chosen career path, an internship may be available.
Medical assistant technicians need to understand medical terminology. They should have excellent communication skills and a compassionate, caring nature.
How much does a medical assistant technician make?
In the US, the average salary for a medical assistant technician is $11.25 per hour. However, this wage can vary depending on your location.
Experience and qualifications can also have an impact on wage. For more information, check out our medical assistant technician salary guide.
If you decide to hire a full-time in-house employee, you’ll have a few extra expenses to think about. Your workers may be entitled to overtime, and most medical assistant technicians get a full suite of benefits. This means you’ll be responsible for perks such as health insurance, paid time off, and retirement plans.
An HVA from Hello Rache comes with a flat rate of just $9.50 per hour. There are no commitments, benefits, or overtime required, and you can use your HVA as often as you need.
How can a medical assistant technician help you?
Now let’s take a look at some of the most common tasks performed by a medical assistant technician:
1. Scheduling appointments
Calendar management is one of the top administrative duties for these team members.
Medical assistant technicians can book patient appointments and schedule surgeries. They can also remove canceled bookings from the calendar and reschedule missed appointments.
Medical assistant technicians remind patients of their upcoming appointments. It’s not uncommon to send an SMS for this purpose, but reminders can also be communicated over the phone.
To schedule appointments and give patients a positive experience, medical assistant technicians need excellent organizational skills and customer service skills.
Thinking about an HVA instead? Our team has experience managing busy schedules. We can communicate with your patients in a professional manner and make sure nothing gets double-booked.
2. Supporting physicians
Those working in the healthcare field know that shifts can be busy. If a physician or other healthcare professional needs support, they can turn to a medical assistant technician.
Medical assistant technicians can help with a variety of duties, depending on their skills and experience.
For example, they can get patients ready for examinations. During this process, they may answer questions, verify personal details, and give patients hospital gowns.
These workers can also provide basic patient care, such as changing dressings and removing casts.
Furthermore, medical assistant technicians may help with clerical tasks, such as note-taking and document printing.
3. Administering medication
If your clinical practice offers medication management, a medical assistant technician can assist with this as well.
With the right training and attention to detail, this team member can accurately measure and administer drugs. In some settings, they can also give immunizations, such as the annual flu vaccine.
They can explain what a drug does for a patient and inform the patient of any potential side effects of taking it.
Pharmacies may need approval to give medications. Your medical assistant tech can do this for you, saving you time and ensuring your patients get exactly what they need.
4. Updating medical histories
Electronic medical records (EMRs) are digital versions of traditional paper charts. They can include patients’ contact details, medical histories, treatment plans, prescriptions, and surgeries.
These files need to be updated regularly to ensure that patients get the right care.
Medical assistant technicians can help healthcare teams update these files. They can do this in real time during an appointment or after the patient has left.
This duty requires computer skills, attention to detail, and medical knowledge.
If you’re spending too much time updating digital medical charts, let our HVAs help. Our team members are efficient and reliable, and they know the importance of confidentiality.
5. Checking vital signs
A medical assistant technician can occasionally check patients’ vital signs, such as heart rate and blood pressure, and record the data.
Some healthcare settings have x-ray facilities and electrocardiogram machines. If your medical assistant has clinical skills, they’ll be able to perform these tests.
Medical assistants can also collect other general information. For example, they can weigh and measure patients. These details can help doctors prescribe the right medication dosages and plan the most appropriate treatments.
6. Billing and bookkeeping
Healthcare facilities have money coming in and out, and it’s important to keep the clinic’s finances up to date.
A medical assistant technician can support you with your billing and bookkeeping needs.
They can also create invoices, process payments in person or over the phone, issue receipts and follow up on overdue payments.
Additionally, medical assistant technicians can communicate with insurance companies and help patients complete complicated insurance forms.
Struggling to keep up with your billing requirements? Hello Rache can help. With data entry, bookkeeping, and customer service experience, our team members will keep your books balanced.
7. Office management
Medical assistant technicians do a wide variety of general office duties. Daily tasks can include printing and filing documents, opening mail, and taking messages.
They can also help with roster management, including scheduling and time off. If a healthcare professional needs to attend a conference or event, these medical assistants may be asked to make travel arrangements for them.
Medical assistant technicians also make sure the office space is clean and tidy. For example, they remove trash from waiting rooms and wipe down hard surfaces. If they’re working behind the front desk, the medical assistant technician makes sure the desk is neat and presentable when patients arrive.
If you choose Hello Rache, you’ll get virtual assistants with strong administrative skills. With their assistance, you can relieve your in-person staff of time consuming administrative tasks and thus free them to focus on patient-centered experiences.
8. Collecting samples
Depending on the type of clinic you run, your team may need to collect samples. A trained medical assistant technician can help with this process.
For example, they may need to draw blood for testing. They’ll provide basic care for patients and carefully label the samples before sending them to the laboratory.
If a patient needs to collect a urine or stool sample, a medical assistant can explain what to do and send the samples to the lab.
Specialized fields work with other types of samples. For example, in a skincare clinic, a medical assistant technician may help to label tissue samples after biopsies.
What about a Healthcare Virtual Assistant?
We've told you what a medical assistant technician can do for your clinic. But if the support you need is mainly administrative, then an HVA is a smart alternative.
Here’s a rundown of the top benefits you’ll get if you choose Hello Rache as your virtual assistant provider.
1. Affordable
An HVA is an affordable solution to your office’s administrative needs. They are paid a flat rate, and you can use them on a regular or temporary basis.
For example, if you have a staff member away on leave or want to catch up on overdue tasks, your HVA will be there. Or, if you need ongoing support with your clerical duties, we can manage these as well.
Remember, HVAs cost just $9.50 per hour, and there are no hidden expenses. Even if you need them to work after hours or on weekends, you won’t have to pay them overtime.
Plus, you won’t need to find dedicated office space for an HVA because all of their work is done remotely.
2. Efficient
Our HVAs are focused and complete work efficiently and to a high standard. They’re experienced, organized, and confident working from home.
Because they work independently, Healthcare Virtual Assistants can get their work done without distractions.
HVAs have medical knowledge, and many of our team members have healthcare industry experience. For example, we have HVAs who are trained nurses and clinic assistants.
With fast, accurate typing speeds, attention to detail, and self-motivation, our dedicated team members work hard and make the most of every minute.
3. Reliable
Our team can be there when you need them. With strong organizational skills, our HVAs are ready to work. Need a virtual scribe to be with you via video chat during your appointments? You can rely on us.
Want administrative support on the weekend or after hours? We can be there for you.
HVAs make sure their workstations are ready for their shift. Even though they work remotely, they have all the tools they need for the job, including a computer, headphones, and a telephone.
Plus, you have the option to use the same HVA every time, giving them the opportunity to learn your unique business processes.
4. Trained
Hello Rache HVAs are experienced in the medical field. They have HIPAA training and know the importance of maintaining confidentiality.
Some of the services we offer require specific skills. For example, transcription requires accuracy, medical knowledge, and listening skills. On the other hand, answering phone calls requires excellent customer service skills and time management.
No matter what you need assistance with, rest assured you’ll get an HVA who can complete any administrative task with ease.
5. Tech-savvy
The healthcare industry relies on technology. Fortunately, HVAs are tech-savvy and comfortable navigating different software programs.
For example, they are adept with programs such as Microsoft Office and Google Workspace. Plus, they can use dedicated healthcare software, such as electronic medical record (EMR) and customer relationship management (CRM) solutions.
Our team members can also connect to your cloud-based bookkeeping systems, such as Xero, Quickbooks, or MYOB.
HVAs work independently from remote locations and have reliable internet connections. Security is a priority for them, and they know how to use and store sensitive data.
Your medical assistant technician guide
Medical assistant technicians have a long list of job duties.
Some of the tasks they can help with include scheduling appointments, supporting physicians, administering medications, and updating medical histories.
They can also check vital signs, collect samples, and take care of billing and bookkeeping.
If you don’t want the commitment or expense of a full-time employee, an HVA is a great alternative. These remote team members are affordable, efficient, reliable, well-trained, and tech-savvy.
Want to learn more? Contact Hello Rache today.
